Another Look At Martin Freeman As Bilbo Baggins

Benedict Cumberbatch Nabs Villain Role In Star Trek 2

Deadline and Variety reports that J.J. Abrams and Paramount has found their villain for Star Trek 2. British actor Benedict Cumberbatch has landed the role which had previously been offered to Benicio Del Toro. Cumberbatch is best known for the excellent BBC series Sherlock Holmes. He recently became a big name after starring in Danny Boyle's play based on Frankenstein along with small roles in Tinker Taylor Soldier Spy, The Hobbit and War Horse. The untitled Star Trek sequel will come out on May 17th 2013.

Orlando Bloom Reprising Legolas For The Hobbit

After months of rumor and speculation there is now confirmation from Peter Jackson via his Facebook that Orlando Bloom has joined The Hobbit. Reprising his iconic role of Legolas in the film. It sounds like a cameo if anything else.

Stephen Fry & Benedict Cumberbatch Join The Hobbit

Peter Jackson announced recently on Twitter the addition of Stephen Fry (Sherlock Holmes 2, Black Adder) as the Master of Laketown in The Hobbit. Now there is word from Bilbo himself Martin Freeman that his Sherlock Holmes co-star Benedict Cumberbatch will also be in the film.

Saoirse Ronan Confirmed For The Hobbit?

ComingSoon picked up on casting director Ros Hubbard talking to IFTN about the talented Irish actors working on The Hobbit and slipped Saoirse Ronan's name into the bunch. While this doesn't confirm she is in fact in the film it does mean she could be in talks. The story doesn't name a role but it's assumed it could be that of female elf warrior Itaril. It's likely that more casting announcements will be made in the next couple of weeks.


“[W]orking with Peter Jackson is like working with a family. So they’ll have a great time. Saoirse’s family will go too. Everyone is very close and very loving on those sorts of jobs. It’s not like typical studio movies at all.”

Saorise Ronan Says No Offer For Hobbit Has Been Made

Irish actress Saorise Ronan (Hanna, Atonement) has long been rumored for a role in Peter Jackson's The Hobbit. Deadline previously named her as a possible participant in the two films. ThePlaylist has found Saorise speaking out on the rumor. While interested in the film she hasn't been offered anything. Ronan previously worked with Jackson on The Lovely Bones.

The role has been expected to be Itaril a new character not found in the books. A female woodland Elf, this character is one the Silvan Elves. Shorter than other elves, she is still quick and lithe and physically adept, being able to fight with both sword and bow.

David Tennant Joining The Hobbit?

Deadline reported back in October that David Tennant (Dr. Who) had been offered a role in The Hobbit. Now comes the rumor from the very unreliable MovieWeb that Tennant has been cast as Sindarin Elf King Thrandui. Better known as the father of Orlando Bloom's character Legolas. While I have to assume this is speculation it does make sense since most of the high profile roles are almost filled. I wouldn't even be surprised to see Tennant playing the Goblin King. With production set to start in February more casting announcements should be coming soon.

Ian McKellen Confirmed For Hobbit, Serkis & Others Also In Talks

HeatVision confirms that Sir Ian McKellen will reprise his role of Gandalf The Grey in the two Hobbit films. Deadline mentions that Andy Serkis is close to his deal to return as Gollum. The site also says that Christopher Lee (Saruman) and Ian Holm (Older Bilbo Baggins) are in talks to reprise their roles as well. There is an open offer to Orlando Bloom too but has yet to have accepted.

Elijah Wood's Frodo Returning For The Hobbit

Deadline confirms their previous report that Elijah Wood would be reprising his role of Frodo in The Hobbit. It had been rumored for months Frodo would be involved to bridge the two adaptations. I assume the role would more of a cameo at the beginning of the first film or at the end of the second.

Orlando Bloom Reprising Legolas For The Hobbit

It looks like Legolas is headed back to Middle Earth. Deadline reports that Orlando Bloom is set to reprise the role of Elf Legolas in The Hobbit. It's expected that Hugo Weaving, Sir Ian McKellan and Andy Serkis will be returning as well as their characters are prominent in the book. Yet they haven't completed deals at this moment.

Interesting enough the Legolas role will be bigger than a cameo. He could very well join the adventure or show up during the Battle of Five Armies taking down hordes of goblins.

Cate Blanchett & Others Join The Hobbit

New Line/Warner Bros. has announced more cast members for Peter Jackson's The Hobbit. Cate Blanchett will reprise her role of Galadriel, the Lady of Lothlorien. Sylvester McCoy (Doctor Who) will play wizard Radagast The Brown who had been rumored for role for months. Along with Mikael Persbrandt as shape-shifter Beorn, Ken Stott as the Dwarf Lord Balin, Lord of The Rings alum Jed Brophy will play Nori, newcomer Ryan Gage will be Drogo Baggins who is Frodo's father and William Kircher as Bifur.

The film also stars Martin Freeman, James Nesbitt, Richard Armitage, Aidan Turner, Rob Kazinsky, Graham McTavish, John Callen, Stephen Hunter, Mark Hadlow, Peter Hambleton and Adam Brown. It's a decent mix of seasoned and new talent which could launch many future acting careers.

James Nesbitt Joins The Hobbit

Warner Bros./New Line have announced two new cast members to Peter Jackson's Hobbit. They include Irish actor James Nesbitt who is best known for the show Jekyll and excellent films like Bloody Sunday. James will play Bofur and newcomer Adam Brown has also been cast as Ori another brave Dwarf.

Martin Freeman Is Bilbo Baggins, Plus More Hobbit Casting Updates

Deadline confirms that indeed Martin Freeman will play Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit. Freeman best known for the British version of the Office and Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy was a fan favorite to play the role. More casting was included in the release which could be big breaks for the actors who are mostly known for television work. Similar to the career explosion the Lord of The Rings actors got they could soon become household names. "Richard Armitage (MI-5 and Captain America: The First Avenger) will play Thorin Oakenshield, leader of the Company of Dwarves which sets off to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from a thieving dragon. Aidan Turner (Being Human) and Rob Kazinsky (EastEnders) will play Kili and Fili, members of the Company of Dwarves. Graham McTavish (Secretariat) will play Dwalin, John Callen (Power Rangers Jungle Fury) will play Oin; Stephen Hunter (All Saints) will play Bombur, and Mark Hadlow (King Kong) plays Dori, while Peter Hambleton (The Strip) will play Gloin."


The site also mentions that Bill Nighy (Hot Fuzz, Pirates 2-3) could voice Smug the dragon. There are still roles for James Nesbitt (Jekyll) and David Tennant (Doctor Who) along with roles for Saoirse Ronan and Stephen Fry (Sherlock Holmes 2). While Andy Serkis and Ian McKellan aren't listed it's expected they'll reprise their roles in the two films. I suspect Stephen Fry could be the Goblin King.

Peter Jackson To Direct The Hobbit

TheWrap reports that Peter Jackson is in final talks to direct The Hobbit. The production has had such a streak of bad luck let's hope this news brings things around. While I would have loved to see del Toro's version of Middle Earth I'm glad Jackson is returning.

MGM & Warner Bros. Want Peter Jackson To Direct The Hobbit

Deadline reports the obvious best choice to take over directing duties of The Hobbit from Guillermo del Toro who recently had to leave the production. That person is Peter Jackson who c0-wrote the film's screenplay and has just as much time invested in the project as del Toro. They say that both studios involved (MGM and Warner Bros.) are trying to convince the Kiwi director to finish the Tolkien epic he started with the Lord of The Rings trilogy. Jackson said he would be willing to direct the films himself if they were unable to find a suitable replacement. It's doubtful they've found anyone capable of delivering the quality of Jackson's work. There is also the issue of working and living in New Zealand for two years which would suit Peter just fine. The only problem would be his commitments to the Tintin sequel.

*Who could possibly direct The Hobbit other than Peter Jackson?