Peter Jackson has just posted on his Facebook page that Rob Kazinsky, cast in the role of Fili, is going to be leaving The Hobbit due to personal reasons.

I am sad to report that Rob Kazinsky, who was cast in the role of Fili, is having to leave The Hobbit and return home, for personal reasons.  Rob has been terrific to work with and his enthusiasm and infectious sense of humour will be missed by all of us. I should say that Rob’s departure will not affect ongoing filming of The Hobbit, nor will it impact work done to date, as we had yet to film much of Fili’s storyline. At the moment we are shooting scenes featuring Bilbo without the Dwarves, which will give us time to find a new Fili. I’ll keep everyone posted with updates as they come.

Cheers,

Peter J

This is sad news for many of us too who came to know Rob over these past few months, and especially last week, after seeing him in The Hobbit’s ‘Start of Production’ video.

Your family in TORn will miss you dear Rob… we hope you’re going to be fine, and we wish you all the best in whatever you do and wherever life leads you.

UPDATE: Rob has tweeted the following on his Twitter account:

Thanks for all your support, Peter and team have been the most wonderful and supportive team to work for and it’s with a truly sad heart that things have turned out this way. The Hobbit will go on to be as great as i’ve seen and I will miss the family and friends that i’ve here, From every disaster i’ve tried to make an opportunity. “john d rokerfeller”