The Hobbit: 11 Amazing Things You Missed In The Desolation Of Smaug
10. Peter Jacksons Cameos Continue
Peter Jackson loves his cameos, doesnt he? His distinct, almost Hobbit-y look makes him instantly recognisable in his various guises in a way we havent seen with such recurrence since Alfred Hitchcock. A Rohanian spear thrower, arrow targeted pirate and a dragon fleeing dwarf, (and, outside of Middle Earth, a policeman stabbing Santa, King Kong aiming pilot and unsuspecting tramp), his most noticable appearance came in Fellowship, where he plays a carrot chomping resident of Bree. And its that role he reprises in Desolation. The films Bree opening, a welcome tone setter that, unlike later parts feels totally in service of this single film, kicks off with Jackson slumping across screen with the signature carrot. Certainly obvious for those aware of this tradition, to the general audience it comes across as general set up. Its made more self indulgent (or cool, depending on how you feel about this sort of thing) as the scene goes on; Katie Jackson, Peters daughter, who also appeared in the original trilogy as various cute (thats actually how shes credited) children plays The Prancing Ponys barmaid, Betsy Butterbur.
