As announced on Peter Jackson’s Facebook page, Orlando Bloom is reprising his role as Legolas “Greenleaf” in The Hobbit. Below are some video clips of the local coverage.
[TV3] [PrimeNews]
Direct from Peter Jackson…
Ten years ago, Orlando Bloom created an iconic character with his portrayal of Legolas. I’m excited to announce today that we’ll be revisiting Middle Earth with him once more. I’m thrilled to be working with Orlando again. Funny thing is, I look older—and he doesn’t! I guess that’s why he makes such a wonderful elf.
Check out Peter Jackson’s Facebook Page. [Click Here]
Just down the board from this post is a report originating from a New Zealand television station about Benedict Cumberbatch joining ‘The Hobbit’ cast. The non-by-lined article (from the TV station, not the one here) suggests from “early reports” that Cuberbatch might be in line to voice the dragon Smaug. We don’t know if “early reports” means the writer asked somebody at a desk nearby who was left to be cast, but this seems, at best, suspicious. That isn’t to say that the reporter doesn’t have some good information, but if they do they sure don’t sound confident about it. It wasn’t even written with the journalism phrase “unnamed sources” or “a source close to the production” but rather went with something that seems to actually mean, “I might be making this up and using the name Smaug will get a lot of attention.” The author, besides not having a name, cites no source and doesn’t link to any of the “early reports” referenced.
A far more likely choice and a character that Cumberbatch looks something like: Bard the Bowman. He possesses a bit of menace and is taller and robust, much that a way the leader of men might be. He might be believable as an excellent archer as well. The actor has had a good year, playing with Martin Freeman (Bilbo Baggins) in the BBC’s “Sherlock,” and also landing a spot in Steven Spielberg’s “War Horse,” a World War I drama. So, he might make an excellent Bard but, this is also speculation so until we hear from director Peter Jackson on Facebook or hear from WB in an official press release, don’t believe everything you read on the internet. Meanwhile, be sure to check out our page of “Hobbit” characters right here.
With Benedict Cumberbatch unofficially joining the cast of The Hobbit, early reports suggests he will be the voice for Smaug.
Early reports suggest Cumberbatch will voice the dragon character Smaug but the actor refused to specify his role, insisting, “I can’t say at the moment, thank you very much.”
A red-faced Freeman later told reporters, “I knew I was a sort of a big mouth but I didn’t realize to what extent I was a big mouth, and I’ve just ruined everything. I might not actually go back to a job – they might have just sacked (fired) me.”
[Full Report]
Tweeted first by BBC Entertainment Reporter Lizo (here), apparently Bilbo Baggins, aka Martin Freeman, has let slip that fellow ‘Sherlock’ actor Benedict Cumberbatch has a role in The Hobbit. Seems like a good pick for casting, but what role will he play? Share your thoughts in our comments, discussion board and on facebook! (Personally, I think he looks rather Elven. But his name is so Hobbitish!)
Navigating around the Hollywood press-release protocol, Peter Jackson announced via Facebook that he has cast Stephen Fry as the Master of Laketown. From Jackson’s comments it sounds like he and Fry are still working on the “Dambusters” film. “In addition to his writing skills, he’s a terrific actor and will create a very memorable “Master” for us.”
He also announces, “The Master’s conniving civil servant, Alfrid will be played by Ryan Gage.” And, in the “biggest” casting announcement so far (or probably ever) Conan Stevens, a mountain of a man who plays “The Mountain that Rides,” in HBO’s “Game of Thrones,” series, will play an orc named Dennis Azog. He was of course the starter of the war between the goblins (orcs) and dwarves and lived in Moria. By casting Stevens, a giant stunt actor, it probably means we can absolutely count on background in the conflict between dwarves and orcs so that by the time the action at The Lonely Mountain comes, we will know and feel the long history of hatred between the races. (On a personal note, this enters into my wildest dreams territory!) You can read the whole of Jackson’s Facebook update right here. He also details the shooting schedule which is pretty insightful.
