– Azog is Bolg, then Yazneg is Azog, then Azog is Azog…
To the general movie goer, not interested in the comings and goings that occur during the production of a film, or the juicy tidbits and rumours that trail along till the cinematic release, will undoubtedly shrug off any knowledge concerning the complex changes that two characters in ‘The Hobbit’ went through.
Avid fans eager for any piece of information during the last two or three years since the Trilogy sprung to life, will certainly have come across (or at least, heard) of the “yo-yo” design process in bringing to life the terrifying orcs better known as Azog and Bolg.
A process so volatile that it produced a completely new, non-canon orc character in the mix: Yazneg.
– It all starts with a 7-foot tall actor…
Conan Stevens may not have been on the radar of most movie audiences, however, his towering height and muscular build were the perfect match in portraying the brutal character of Gregor Clegane in the first season of HBO’s ‘Game of Thrones’. Not only that, but back in May 2011, Peter Jackson hired him to bring to life the character of Azog in his trio of ‘Hobbit’ films.
Fans rejoiced (at least, I for one did) at the thought and confirmation, that we would be seeing this character on screen and played by someone who’s physical qualities were the right match for the great Orc during the battle of Azanulbizar against the Dwarves.
No casting news was received regarding the character of Bolg… for a very long while; and many people started to think that his role would be scrapped and instead be completely replaced by Azog…
