It's been a long time coming and for a while there it really looked like it would never happen but
'The Hobbit' has now
officially begun casting. What we still don't know is whether it will film in New Zealand but more on that later. For now, let's talk about the positives.
Martin Freeman has been confirmed for Bilbo Baggins (YES!) but I can guarantee the rest of the new additions you will barely know from Adam. Especially if you don't watch British t.v. and soaps...
Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins
Born in 1971 as a Hobbit, and although I haven't been able to prove it yet - a blood relative of
Ian Holm. Either that or Doc Brown has been meddling and Freeman is actually Ian Holm from the 70's, transported to the modern day. Since 'The Hitchiker's Guide To The Galaxy', he's had to pay his duties in the doldrums of Z-list British movies but that day he turned up to audition for 'The Lovely Bones' three years ago, changed his life forever. From then on, Bilbo was Jackson's only choice! Rarely do we get exactly the choice we want for a franchise, but we did today. Jackson says;
"Despite the various rumors and speculation surround this role, there has only ever been one Bilbo Baggins for us," Peter Jackson said. There are a few times in your career when you come across an actor who you know was born to play a role, but that was the case as soon as I met Martin. He is intelligent, funny, surprising and brave -- exactly like Bilbo and I feel incredibly proud to be able to announce that he is our Hobbit."
Richard Armitage - Thorin Oakensfield
I wasn't a fan of the BBC series 'Robin Hood' where he played the villainous Guy of Gisbourne, but shockingly I remember him as Dawn French's husband in the sickly sweet ending for The Vicar of Dibley!! Looking at his resume, he was also in 'Star Wars: The Phantom Menace' ten years ago as 'Brave Fighter Pilot'. Boy he's come a long way. Like Freeman, this is his biggest role to date and he's got a helluva part here. As Thorin, he is the leader of the company of Dwarves who joins Bilbo on a journey to reclaim Lonely Mountain from Smaug the dragon. Jackson says;
"Richard is one of the most exciting and dynamic actors working on screen today and we know he is going to make an amazing Thorin Oakenshield. We cannot wait to start this adventure with him and feel very lucky that one of the most beloved characters in Middle Earth is in such good hands."
Aidan Turner - Kali the dwarf
The vampire dude from 'Being Human'. He's Irish, he has talent, and I'm always in favour of unknowns having the chance to put their stamp on things. He plays one of the company of dwarves. Jackson says; Aidan is a wonderfully gifted young actor who hails from Ireland. I'm sure he will bring enormous heart and humor to the role of Kili."
Rob Kazinsky - Fili
He was Casper Rose in 'Dream Team', and more recently Sean Slate in 'Eastenders'. I realise that means nothing to our U.S. readers! So he's done the bottom of the barrel stuff but he's getting some notice right now for the currently filming 'Red Tails' - that George Lucas produced World War II aviation flick. He plays Fili, another member of the dwarves. Jackson says;
"Rob is an extremely talented young actor with a huge career in front of him. I'm thrilled that he has agreed to take on the role of Fili. Besides his talent as an actor, Rob is also a champion sword fighter and I'm looking forward to seeing the damage he can do to a horde of marauding Goblins".
Graham McTavish - Dwalin
I love this guy but he's got a screen presence that is scary as hell! You will remember him as the bad-ass mercenary from 'Rambo' or as the Russian from Season 8 of '24'. He's got a great voice too, and has done nearly all the Marvel characters at some point for various cartoons and video games. A big secret in Hollywood, the Scottish actor has been waiting a break like this. He plays a dwarf from the blue mountain.
Stephen Hunter - Bombur
Haven't been able to find much about him but he looks like a good embodiment to play the foolish, overindulgent dwarf who joins Bilbo on his journey!
Mark Hadlow - Dori
This is a surprise. Jackson, who never does this, has re-cast an actor he has used before, bringing the guy who played Harry in 'King Kong' and a voice for his puppets 'Meet The Feebles' into this Middle-Earth He will play another dwarf.
Peter Hambleton - Gloin
Hambleton's got the great part, that of Gloin! Don't know who the actor is (he has a theatre background) but I like the look of him.
John Callen is playing Oin, but nobody seems to know who this Kiwi native is. Ok, elsewhere.... Two actors we've known for a long time that will be in this -
Andy Serkis (reprising Gollum) and
Ian McKellen (reprising Gandalf) have not been revealed in the first press release, strangely, but we are pretty sure they are in it. Some more well known actors that are still floating around for parts are
Stephen Fry (possibly as a narrator?) and the Oscar nominated 'Lovely Bones' actor
Saoirse Ronan.
Bill Nighy is circling the voice of Smaug! Wow!
The Elf King role is still up in the air.
James Nesbitt and
David Tennant are still working out their deals,
as mentioned last week.
Michael Fassbender looks like he is out. As Quint is rallying the call at
AICN, as great as it is to see an almost full cast list for 'The Hobbit', the announcement we all want to see as a retuning character is New Zealand as Middle-Earth. Though honestly, it ain't looking good right now and a shoot overseas is looking more likely everyday. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoUN2AGxrnA I've never heard director Peter Jackson this angry or pissed off. That probably tells you how much he thinks he is losing the battle to keep New Zealand as Middle-Earth. 'The Hobbit' is scheduled to shoot in February, with Part I (due Dec. 2012) and Part II (due Dec. 2013). For the first time in years, I actually feel confident saying that and believing it will happen!