The One Ring Forums: Tolkien Topics: Movie Discussion: The Hobbit: TORN EXCLUSIVE: Cate Blanchett, Ken Stott, Sylvester McCoy, Mikael Persbrandt join cast of Peter Jackson’s ‘The Hobbit’

The One Ring Forums: Tolkien Topics: Movie Discussion: The Hobbit:
TORN EXCLUSIVE: Cate Blanchett, Ken Stott, Sylvester McCoy, Mikael Persbrandt join cast of Peter Jackson’s ‘The Hobbit’

News from Bree
spymaster@theonering.net

Dec 7 2010, 3:45pm

Views: 15432

TORN EXCLUSIVE: Cate Blanchett, Ken Stott, Sylvester McCoy, Mikael Persbrandt join cast of Peter Jackson’s ‘The Hobbit’

Los Angeles, December 7, 2010

Cate Blanchett, Ken Stott, Sylvester McCoy and Mikael Persbrandt have joined the cast of Peter Jackson’s highly anticipated adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic ‘The Hobbit.’ Also joining them are Ryan Gage, Jed Brophy and William Kircher. The films, which are scheduled to commence principal photography in February 2011, mark Jackson’s return to Middle-earth following his Oscar-winning ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy. The announcement was made jointly today by Toby Emmerich, President and Chief Operating Officer, New Line Cinema, Alan Horn, President and Chief Operating Officer, Warner Bros. and Steve Cooper, co-Chief Executive Officer of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.

Jackson, who directed all three ‘Lord of the Rings’ films, will helm the two films back-to-back, telling the story of ‘The Hobbit’ in two parts from a screenplay by Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens and Guillermo del Toro.

Cate Blanchett (‘Lord of The Rings’ trilogy, ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’) will reprise her role from ‘Lord of The Rings’ trilogy as Galadriel, the Lady of Lothlorien. Ken Stott (‘Charlie Wilson’s War’, TV’s ‘Rebus’) will play the Dwarf Lord Balin, Sylvester McCoy (TV’s ‘Doctor Who’) will play the wizard Radagast the Brown and well-known Swedish actor Mikael Persbrandt (‘Everlasting Moments’, ‘Day and Night’) will play the shape-shifter Beorn. British actor Ryan Gage (‘Outlaw’, TV’s ‘Doctors’) will play Drogo Baggins, with New Zealand actors Jed Brophy (‘Lord of The Rings’ trilogy, ‘District 9’) playing the role of the dwarf Nori, and William Kircher (‘Out of the Blue’; TV’s ‘Legend of the Seeker’) rounding out the company of Thorin Oakensheild in role of the dwarf Bifur.

Peter Jackson welcomed the news of Cate Blanchett’s return to Middle-earth. “Cate is one of my favorite actors to work with and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have her reprise the role she so beautifully brought to life in the earlier films.” On the casting of Scottish actor Ken Stott, Jackson commented, “Fran and I have long been fans of Ken’s work and are excited he will be joining us on this journey.” Jackson also welcomed the addition to the cast of Swedish actor Mikael Persbrandt. “The role of Beorn is an iconic one and Mikael was our first choice for the part. Since seeing him read for the role we can’t imagine anyone else playing this character.”

The actors join the previously announced cast including Martin Freeman (TV’s ‘Sherlock,’ ‘Breaking and Entering’) as Bilbo Baggins, Richard Armitage (upcoming ‘Captain America: The First Avenger’), Aidan Turner (TV’s ‘Being Human’), Rob Kazinsky (TVs ‘EastEnders’), Graham McTavish (‘Secretariat’), John Callen (TV’s ‘Power Rangers Jungle Fury’), Stephen Hunter (TV’s ‘All Saints’), Mark Hadlow (‘King Kong’) and Peter Hambleton (TV’s ‘The Strip’). Additional cast announcements include James Nesbitt (‘Millions’ and TV’s ‘Cold Feet’) and newcomer Adam Brown.

Since ‘The Hobbit’ films received a green light on October 15, pre-production has been in full swing with release dates targeted for December, 2012 and December, 2013. Jackson will utilize groundbreaking visual effects and his incomparable storytelling to bring J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel to the big screen. Both ‘Hobbit’ movies will be filmed in Digital 3-D, using the latest camera and stereo technology to create a high quality, comfortable viewing experience.

The two films are being co-produced by New Line Cinema and MGM, with New Line managing production, Warner Bros Pictures handling domestic distribution and MGM distributing internationally.

Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Carolynne Cunningham are producing the films, with co-writer Philippa Boyens serving as co-producer and Ken Kamins and Zane Weiner as executive producers. The Oscar-winning, critically acclaimed ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy, also from the production team of Jackson, Walsh and Cunningham, grossed nearly $3 billion worldwide at the box office. In 2003, ‘The Return of the King’ swept the Academy Awards, winning all of the 11 categories in which it was nominated, including Best Picture – the first ever Best Picture win for a fantasy film. The trilogy’s production was also unprecedented at the time.

ABOUT NEW LINE CINEMA:
New Line Cinema continues to be one of the most successful independent film companies. For more than 40 years, its mission has been to produce innovative, popular, profitable entertainment in the best creative environment. A pioneer in franchise filmmaking, New Line produced the Oscar®-winning ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy, which is a landmark in the history of film franchises. New Line Cinema is a division of Warner Bros.

ABOUT PETER JACKSON/WINGNUT FILMS:
Peter Jackson is one of the world's most successful filmmakers. His monumental achievement co-writing, co-producing and directing The Lord of the Rings trilogy (with fellow Academy Award winners and frequent collaborators Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens) earned a total of 30 Academy Award nominations and 17 Academy Awards. Jackson and Walsh received their first Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay for their acclaimed film Heavenly Creatures. Jackson, through his New Zealand-based Wingnut Films banner, also was responsible for the globally successful 2005 remake of King Kong which earned over $500 million worldwide and 3 Academy Awards. Jackson most recently directed the Academy Award nominated The Lovely Bones; an adaptation of the acclaimed best-selling novel by Alice Sebold, which to date has earned nearly $100 million worldwide; and produced the global sensation, District 9, which received an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture. He is also developing a trilogy of films with Steven Spielberg based on Tintin, the world renowned comic book series by Herge. In 2010 he received a Knighthood for his services to film.

ABOUT METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER STUDIOS INC.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music, and licensed merchandise. The company owns the world's largest library of modern films, comprising around 4,100 titles. Operating units include Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., MGM Television Entertainment Inc., MGM Networks Inc., MGM Distribution Co., MGM International Television Distribution Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC, MGM ON STAGE, MGM Music, MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive. In addition, MGM has ownership interests in domestic and international TV channels reaching over 130 countries. For more information, visit www.mgm.com.

(This post was edited by Ataahua on Dec 7 2010, 9:05pm)

Oiotári
Tol Eressea

Dec 7 2010, 8:55pm

Views: 10527

Interesting

that Mikael Persbrandt is cast as Beorn. I don't know much (ie: anything) about him, but the front page poll right know shows Beorn as 12.69% and the Elvenking leading at 44.42%

Other than that... Hurrah for known roles Smile

The wide world is all about you:
you can fence yourselves in, but you cannot for ever fence it out

You can only come to the morning through the shadows

Anteor
Bree

Dec 7 2010, 8:56pm

Views: 11098

hmmmm

and once again I know none of the names on that list except that of Sylvester McCoy's. I am glad we finally have a full band of dwarves and a Beorn though. On the flip side why is Drogo there? Oddness.

if more of us valued food and good cheer above gold and jewels. it would be a merrier world.

Lindele
Gondor

Dec 7 2010, 9:02pm

Views: 11711

Looks great!

Exciting times we live in!!!

Ataahua
Forum Admin / Moderator

Dec 7 2010, 9:07pm

Views: 11379

So with Cate in,

the White Council’s inclusion in the films looks like a dead cert. Which means we should get to see the Necromancer’s home in Mirkwood.

Can’t wait!

Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..."
Dwarves: "Pretty rings..."
Men: "Pretty rings..."
Sauron: "Mine's better."

"Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded b*****d with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak.

Ataahua's stories

Voronwë_the_Faithful
Valinor

Dec 7 2010, 9:11pm

Views: 10752

Still no official word on Sir Ian? //

'But very bright were the stars upon the margin of the world, when at times the clouds about the West were drawn aside.'

www.arda-reconstructed.com

hutch
Rohan

Dec 7 2010, 9:11pm

Views: 10515

Cate Blanchett's back

TheGoblinKing
Rohan

Dec 7 2010, 9:12pm

Views: 11018

Wonder Why No McKellen News.

I wanna see more Cate in this cause like to see her an Ian McKellan in a scene other then the ending in return of th king. What do we know the Guy playing Balin. Does have a Dwarf face. He looks kinda like JRD.

Flagg
Tol Eressea

Dec 7 2010, 9:13pm

Views: 10660

Wow

That's a major cluster of bombshells dropped on us just there. I'll have to contemplate this for a few hours. Well, it's terrific that we have confirmation of Cate Blanchett/Galadriel's return. I have to admit, I am sort of disappointed that the new additions are all people I've never heard of, but I'm sure they'll all do well if Peter Jackson chose them.

I have to say, I'm puzzled by the casting of Persbrandt as Beorn – I thought Ron Perlman was perfect, and Perpsbrandt really seems out of left field. But Jackson says he's great, so I suppose I'll take his word for it. Maybe it will be another Heath Ledger/Joker situation (the unconventianal but brilliant casting part, not the untimely death part).

Flagg
Tol Eressea

Dec 7 2010, 9:16pm

Views: 9949

Judge for yourself.

Ken Stott

entmaiden
Forum Admin / Moderator

Dec 7 2010, 9:16pm

Views: 11191

Jed Brophy is Nori! Excellent!

He's a great guy, and it's good to see a Kiwi in a prominent role.

Love all the other cast announcements, too!

(This post was edited by entmaiden on Dec 7 2010, 9:17pm)

One Ringer
Tol Eressea

Dec 7 2010, 9:20pm

Views: 10999

I don't like this Drogo news...

I'm not one for bridging the films. I personally just want The Hobbit as it is in the book, even the Necromancer is pushing it for me.

"His gaze pierces cloud, shadow, earth, and flesh."

macfalk
Valinor

Dec 7 2010, 9:21pm

Views: 11152

Gee, gee, gee!

Observations

Cate back, great! I started to wonder.

McCoy looks like a good addition for Radagast

Ken Stott I have no idea of, but I'm sure he's fine.

Persbrandt as BEORN. And with PJ's comments there, wow, could definately not see this coming. But I have faith in PJ (and he has just about secured The Hobbit's sucess here in Sweden thanks to this)

But where is Sir Ian?

The greatest adventure is what lies ahead.

hutch
Rohan

Dec 7 2010, 9:28pm

Views: 10858

i think its exciting

to see unknown faces. no movie star distractions. i like being introduced to actors i never heard of from other countries. as an American i can sometimes forget that other countries have actors of their own and are as good (if not better) than our big stars here. i'm actually really glad 'Hellboy' isnt in TH.i'm sure the actors will do well and we'll get more actors and films to know as a result of being introduced to them via iconic roles.
i just love that the roles, not the actors, are what are iconic here and now (though the actors may become iconic afterwards).

(This post was edited by hutch on Dec 7 2010, 9:30pm)

nobofthepony
Lorien

Dec 7 2010, 9:30pm

Views: 10305

Jed...

Jed Brophy played the orc that helped Aragorn ride a warg off the cliff in TT, right??

Lindele
Gondor

Dec 7 2010, 9:32pm

Views: 10963

That is correct

Garfeimao
Rohan

Dec 7 2010, 9:33pm

Views: 11556

Yes, Jed is a cool dude

And William Kircher is also from New Zealand, while Ryan Gage is another fresh, young actor from the UK. Again with the mixing of well established names, newbies, and then some experienced actors from other countries. This is going to be another global community, how fun.

Peace, Love and Rock & Roll,

Garfeimao
The orange stripey One

Cruise to Middle-earth

carrioncrow
Lorien

Dec 7 2010, 9:37pm

Views: 12053

All great news

I like the look of the Balin actor, not as flinty as i had in mind, but definitely suitable for the company's senior member and throin's consigliere

No she-dwarves. well, that settles it . Let us proceed

(and i don't have to eat my hat over the Beorn casting. Bring on the Bees!!

duats
Grey Havens

Dec 7 2010, 9:42pm

Views: 11346

Initial Reactions

- I'm glad to see Cate Blanchett is returning.

- I'm disheartened by the lack of Ian McKellen.

- Other than Cate Blanchett, I am unfamiliar with all of these actors (even McCoy), so I'm once again at the mercy of Mr. Jackson until I see footage. I will say, though, that Kevin Stott looks perfect for a dwarf, and I can see Presbrandt as Beorn (though I admit to having him pegged for Thranduil). Honestly, I'm just happy that I was wrong about Radagast replacing him, so I'll give Presbrandt the benefit of the doubt.

- I personally think the inclusion of Drogo is unnecessary, so I'm not all too thrilled by that.

(This post was edited by duats on Dec 7 2010, 9:43pm)

HiddenSpring
Lorien

Dec 7 2010, 9:59pm

Views: 14812

Incredible news

I thought Cate would never return to Middle-earth after her three weeks of shooting in 2000... but here she is, ten years later! Beautiful. Will we see Lothlorien again? Or will we see her somewhere else this time around? What does this mean for Marton Csokas? Craig Parker?

It's also curious she is the first official returning cast member to be announced. Perhaps they're saving Ian, Andy and Hugo for last?

I think Persbrandt will be a good Beorn. Couldn't see him as Thranduil at all.

smokerings
Rivendell

Dec 7 2010, 10:05pm

Views: 11777

Jed...

...he also played one of the ring wraiths (cloaked mind you) I believe - but yes, played the orc that took Aragorn off the cliff side.

I bet they are holding off on Ian until the last cast announcement. We shall see - but excited by the announcements!

The Party Tree
Lorien

Dec 7 2010, 10:06pm

Views: 12119

Oh no. Drogo?

Does this mean we'll have to bring extra tissue boxes? or...

Daisy Gold
The Shire

Dec 7 2010, 10:08pm

Views: 12518

Drogo... and maybe Primula?

I am delighted to see 'old friends' returning. Smile

I don't mind these 'extras' being fitted into a film. The book may not have had room for extended scenes were as a film could easily accommodate them.
Drogo is interesting. I wonder if they will also cast a Primula. Maybe they are going to show something of Frodo's early years.

Ataahua
Forum Admin / Moderator

Dec 7 2010, 10:08pm

Views: 12038

William Kircher

played Stu Guthrie in Out of the Blue - the senior policeman who was the last man shot by David Grey. He's been an actor for a long time and is very good. He's also one of those reappearing faces on NZ screens that locals recognise instantly, but can never put a name to.

They'll be able to in a couple of years now, though! :)

Alex Maglor
Bree

Dec 7 2010, 10:11pm

Views: 11605

Bilbo and Frodo

Possibly a flashback scene, with Drogo and wife drowning in the river... And Bilbo adopting a young Frodo as a final "and bridge" scene...

carrioncrow
Lorien

Dec 7 2010, 10:26pm

Views: 7097

i never understood

seeing Persbrandt .

the man has the face of a bear.
I'm saying he has an ursine countenance
etc

Elentari03
Rivendell

Dec 7 2010, 10:29pm

Views: 7730

No Americans?

Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't think there has been a single American actor announced as part of the cast. That is slightly surprising, since last time they had Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Liv Tyler, and Viggo Mortensen.

ltnjmy
Rivendell

Dec 7 2010, 10:34pm

Views: 7910

I'm disappointed too that there is no official word on Sir Ian McKellan

But I am certainly glad that Cate Blanchette will be back as Galadriel and maybe we'll see some cool White Council action - showing how they drove the Necromancer/Sauron out of Mirkwood... Sly

carrioncrow
Lorien

Dec 7 2010, 10:37pm

Views: 9472

so...

Does this mean The Old Tooks midsummers eve party might be in the mix

Oiotári
Tol Eressea

Dec 7 2010, 10:39pm

Views: 6579

well there are still open roles to fill

perhaps there is an american among them

The wide world is all about you:
you can fence yourselves in, but you cannot for ever fence it out

You can only come to the morning through the shadows

JWPlatt
Grey Havens

Dec 7 2010, 10:40pm

Views: 5991

Best For Last

In Reply To

It's also curious she is the first official returning cast member to be announced. Perhaps they're saving Ian, Andy and Hugo for last?

They are arguably the biggest signers and, possibly, at least for agents and completing contracts, the biggest challenge. Certainly the biggest news. I would have included Cate Blanchett in that list, but here she is. I don't know what that says. The only actor who could trump that list is Christropher Lee if they can work that out. The casting announcement of Saruman may be last.

(This post was edited by JWPlatt on Dec 7 2010, 10:41pm)

macfalk
Valinor

Dec 7 2010, 10:45pm

Views: 6271

Isn't Mortensen more Danish than American?

His name is Danish!

The greatest adventure is what lies ahead.

(This post was edited by macfalk on Dec 7 2010, 10:47pm)

Pipe Dream
Gondor

Dec 7 2010, 10:48pm

Views: 5960

McKellen, Serkis, Weaving...and maybe Lee.

What's the hold up??? I just don't understand what the problem is. Jed Brophy was a given right? Wink

At the same time I'm glade about Cate and Sly. Is anyone else feeing a little more excited now? Just sign the dream team already!

<<< There is a long road yet >>>

macfalk
Valinor

Dec 7 2010, 10:51pm

Views: 5737

Saruman

My guess is as yours, they'll save him for the last, so when the fans are satisfied seeing their old heroes returning, a new Saruman will be announced til last.

The greatest adventure is what lies ahead.

RosieLass
Valinor

Dec 7 2010, 10:51pm

Views: 6237

And I believe his son...

...played Aragorn and Arwen's son in the Arwen's vision.

Didn't he?

It is always those with the fewest sensible things to say who make the loudest noise in saying them. --Precious Ramotswe (Alexander McCall Smith)

DrDeath153
Lorien

Dec 7 2010, 10:55pm

Views: 5611

Holy Moly

Well this is a bundle of news. Like others have said, this will take a bit of time to digest.

Starting with the most familiar then- Cate Blanchett, well this really is good news, not that i ever doubted it but nice that she's signed up now- her appearance as Galadriel was proficient enough (i do know that some purists hated it, but as far as i'm concerned it was perfectly good) and it is nice to see some confirmation in terms of casting of the Necromancer subplot.

Ken Stott- Another superb casting choice for a dwarf. While i had hoped to see Bill Bailey somewhere among them, i couldn't possibly turn down Ken Stott in his favour. It does mean i'm still hanging on a recast or a minor miracle for our Thorin, Richard Armitage to satisfy.

Sylvester McCoy- well i wasn't familiar with his Doctor but i've become familiar with him and his CV since he was rumoured, and he seems like he'll do a fine job with Radagast.

Mikael Persbrandt- Not my first choice by any stretch (hadn't even heard of him until TORN reported the rumours). Looks wise i've got my doubts- he isn't your classic hairy Mary as it were- a kind of cross between Kevin Costner and John Simm, but if he builds himself up, piles on the pounds (muscle and flab), grows a decent beard and they give him a wig, yeah, he could have it.

Nice to see Jed Brophy getting a decent 'continuing' role rather than the fits and starts as various ill-fated orcs in LotR, he's a good actor from all appearances and with him as Nori, the young skinny kid as Ori starts to make more sense.

Can't say i know either William Kircher or Ryan Gage but they both look alright for their respective parts. I think more likely than a random showing of Drogo and Primula's death, we might see them developed a bit as characters and their relation to Bilbo, foreshadowing Frodo's adoption by him. Might bring a bit of a downer to that otherwise cheerful part of the tale but we'll see how it's played.

Dr Death

RosieLass
Valinor

Dec 7 2010, 10:55pm

Views: 6625

Apart from Blanchett, McCoy and Brophy

I've never heard of any of these new names. But I'm okay with that.

I'm not sure what to think about casting Drogo. I should think the film would not cover a long enough time period to get as far as his drowning. Maybe it's a peripheral role, sort of like Rosie Cotton or the Sackville-Bagginses were in LOTR. Familiar names for the rabid NARFs to recognize. Cool

It is always those with the fewest sensible things to say who make the loudest noise in saying them. --Precious Ramotswe (Alexander McCall Smith)

Elentari03
Rivendell

Dec 7 2010, 10:56pm

Views: 6184

Well,

His name is Danish, but I think he was born in the States. Perhaps this is a sign that they are confident the movies will do well without any American Hollywood name (like Tyler and Wood were) attached.

dormouse
Half-elven

Dec 7 2010, 10:57pm

Views: 6612

Somehow every announcement ....

... manages to take me by surprise!

First reaction - doesn't it feel good just having more news? Does to me, anyway. Delighted Cate Blanchett's back - am still longing for confirmation of Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis and Hugo Weaving, but at least no one else has been cast, so maybe their agents are driving a harder bargain.

I'm pleased with all the actors I've heard of who've been named so far and not dismayed that there are so many I haven't. After all, I'd never heard of Peter Jackson before Fellowship, and that turned out more than all right. I also rather like unpredictable casting, because it means that they've taken a different interpretation of the characters and that makes the films a more intriguing prospect.

I think the inclusion of Drogo must mean that there'll be a Primula too - and therefore more Hobbiton scenes than you might expect from the book.

Roll on the next announcement! Wink

Flagg
Tol Eressea

Dec 7 2010, 11:01pm

Views: 5374

Don't forget the Mayor of Michel Delving

His rumoured presence in the films may give us some clue as to what scenes Drogo and Primula may turn up in.

Pipe Dream
Gondor

Dec 7 2010, 11:04pm

Views: 5991

I think it's cool that...

...Beorn and Radagast are now confirmed as being in the script. Smile

<<< There is a long road yet >>>

adnan
Rivendell

Dec 7 2010, 11:17pm

Views: 7164

Agree on unpredictable casting...

It definitely makes things more intriguing. It is a little concerning to hear no news of Sir Ian yet, but I'm optimistic. I guess the studios want leave some news for around Christmas time too, tis the season of giving after all Wink

Rivendell

JWPlatt
Grey Havens

Dec 7 2010, 11:33pm

Views: 6248

New Saruman

In Reply To

macfalk: My guess is as yours, they'll save him for the last, so when the fans are satisfied seeing their old heroes returning, a new Saruman will be announced til last.

New Saruman? Heh. If the Saruman announcement is last, it will be Chistopher Lee. The longer it takes, the more likely it is that it will be Lee. A recast Saruman would be anticlimactic - not the stuff that makes for a good cap on casting news - and more likely to be announced sooner than later. The only mitigation to that is if they use Lee's voice and a CGI'd face and acting double.

(This post was edited by JWPlatt on Dec 7 2010, 11:36pm)

acheron
Gondor

Dec 7 2010, 11:35pm

Views: 6704

Glad Cate is back, and glad Beorn is definitely in the script

Not sure what to make of Drogo. I know we've heard the rumors before now, but now that it's official...

Well, we'll see what happens I guess. Smile

For instance, on the planet Earth, man had always assumed that he was more intelligent than dolphins because he had achieved so much -- the wheel, New York, wars, and so on -- while all the dolphins had ever done was muck about in the water having a good time. But conversely, the dolphins had always believed that they were far more intelligent than man, for precisely the same reasons. -- Douglas Adams

Ataahua
Forum Admin / Moderator

Dec 7 2010, 11:44pm

Views: 8700

I would say the opposite.

In Reply To

A recast Saruman would be anticlimatic

If Saruman is recast, my money is on the discussion boards blowing apart.

Hengist
Forum Admin / Moderator

Dec 7 2010, 11:44pm

Views: 8825

Excellent news about Cate

Ken Stott is a good choice for Balin as well, although I knew the face not the name.

" So let me get this straight. You want to fly on a magic carpet to see the King of the Potato People and plead with him for your freedom, and you're telling me you're completely sane? "

Flagg
Tol Eressea

Dec 7 2010, 11:47pm

Views: 7020

...but not necessarily in a good way.

I think there are safer and wiser ways of completing a series of casting announcements than with explosive controversy.

gilgalad80
The Shire

Dec 7 2010, 11:49pm

Views: 7576

Fantastic news!

Great to hear Cate Blanchett is back! Smile

Also all the other actors seem to fit their parts perfectly.. Excellent cast. Persbrandt was a definite Beorn from the start for me. Now we're just waiting for Sir Ian, Andy Serkis and Hugo Weaving..

Mixel
The Shire

Dec 7 2010, 11:53pm

Views: 6036

Recast

We should do a petition to recast Thorin.

Ruijor
Rohan

Dec 7 2010, 11:57pm

Views: 5961

About time!

Now let´s hope that the rest of the cast can be announced until the end of the year! I´m so delighted that we will have Galadriel in the films, hope Hugo Weaving is returning also just as the Celeborn and Haldir characters. My biggest concern right now is definately the Saruman dilema...

I´m not going to even say anything about McKellen since his presence in this films is mandatory!

_V_
Lorien

Dec 7 2010, 11:58pm

Views: 6426

Line up a casting list and all weariness shall fall from me!

I feel so *alive* to be hearing major casting announcements again! After all this time.

Its finally happening. Time to get things done.

I imagine the only roles not really cast yet are the talking animals (Wargs, Eagles, Spiders, Smaug the Dragon), the Trolls, the Orcs, Elves of Mirkwood including King Thranduil, and of course, everyone from Lake-town including Bard.

ReVolution of Evangelion

"Pleased to meet you, hope you guessed my name, but what's puzzling you, is the nature of my game"

Formerly known on TORN as "Draug the Unspeakably Violent"

Kangi Ska
Half-elven

Dec 7 2010, 11:59pm

Views: 6327

Do not worry. Gandalf is back.//

Kangi Ska Resident Trickster & Wicked White Crebain
New Zealand is Middle-earth & today life is good.

At night you can not tell if crows are black or white.

Kangi Ska
Half-elven

Dec 8 2010, 12:01am

Views: 6464

They are succeeding at keeping everyone's attention.//

Kangi Ska Resident Trickster & Wicked White Crebain
New Zealand is Middle-earth & today life is good.

At night you can not tell if crows are black or white.

Frodosfriend
Rivendell

Dec 8 2010, 12:02am

Views: 6916

Drogo Baggins eh?

First I hear about a hobbit Mayor now Frodo's parent. PJ is going all out for these movies, good man.

Kangi Ska
Half-elven

Dec 8 2010, 12:05am

Views: 5818

I think they should recast Saruman

so that he can have a more active role in the Dol Guldur events. It would be wise.

Kangi Ska Resident Trickster & Wicked White Crebain
New Zealand is Middle-earth & today life is good.

At night you can not tell if crows are black or white.

carrioncrow
Lorien

Dec 8 2010, 12:22am

Views: 6333

Mayor

i just want to say i have no enthusiasm for the idea of "Hobbit Mayor" as a character. What's the point? If we're talking about Mayor of Michel Delving, which one? The office (and the unnamed hobbit who may have held it) play no part in the story. I'd rather see the Thrain or some such...are folks suggesting we'll be seeing some sort of fast forward to Will Whitfoot or Tom Cotton...without The Scouring being part of the film story, i don't care a wit for using a second of THE HOBBIT's running time to tag them.

I don't even know if this 'Mayor' idea is coming from a reliable source.

Mortimus
Bree

Dec 8 2010, 12:23am

Views: 6039

Ken Stott - inspired casting for Balin!

I had no idea he was in the running, and hadn't for a second imagined him as Balin, but I think he's a wonderful choice. I've enjoyed watching him since first seeing him (I think) in Shallow Grave, and he's had equally gruff, meaty and touching roles before and since then. If he uses his natural accent then his voice will be ideal, having a natural Scots burr, and his eyes are wonderfully expressive. This is the casting I'm most excited about, though it's great also to see Blanchett and Brophy return, and as a DW fan I couldn't say no to Sylvester McCoy either!

And speaking of Doctor Who - for anyone mouring the lack of David Tennant in this line-up, you can at least watch him alongside Ken Stott in Takin' Over the Asylum :)

Compa_Mighty
Tol Eressea

Dec 8 2010, 12:24am

Views: 5165

Sorry, I'm sure it's been brought up... but Drogo? Really?

Too many non-book roles... makes you wonder! Other than that... I'm happy to know more about this. A Radagast action figure sounds appealing! Wink

Visit Mexico from A to Z! Index to the whole series here.
Essay winner of the Show us your Hobbit Pride Giveway!

Patty
Immortal

Dec 8 2010, 12:30am

Views: 9595

The casting of Drogo is great news to me...

as I think this is most likely the last Middle-earth movie to be made for many years, so I want to see all that occurred in that world. I don't care to see any made-up stuff, but if it happened I don't mind seeing it stuck in these movies as opposed to just something that was only mentioned in passing in one or the other of the books. I know sometimes stuff has to change (i.e.Glorfindel/Arwen), but as long as that's kept to a minimum I'd like to see whatever true Middle-earth stuff they can fit in these two movies.

Permanent address: Into the West

Must. Have. The Precious! Give us the LotR EE Blu-ray Ultimate Box Set!

Kangi Ska
Half-elven

Dec 8 2010, 12:36am

Views: 8445

I have to trust Peter on this one.

He must see something that he has in mind. There is also makeup. Thorin is the oldest of the Dwarves.

Kangi Ska Resident Trickster & Wicked White Crebain
New Zealand is Middle-earth & today life is good.

At night you can not tell if crows are black or white.

(This post was edited by Kangi Ska on Dec 8 2010, 12:39am)

Frodosfriend
Rivendell

Dec 8 2010, 12:40am

Views: 5818

I agree

The more Middle Earth the better.

Patty
Immortal

Dec 8 2010, 12:48am

Views: 6288

I agree, Kangi. I am going to have to trust him too, because...

I see this as a tremendously lost opportunity to see Armitage as Bard. But we have trusted him this far and he has not led us astray. Aw, I just had to quote Legolas here.

Permanent address: Into the West

Must. Have. The Precious! Give us the LotR EE Blu-ray Ultimate Box Set!

Hamfast
Rohan

Dec 8 2010, 1:04am

Views: 6551

Indeed Kangi

I am very pleased Cate is back, and I know who Jed Brophy is, but other than that, these folks are strangers to me. I also didn't know who Orlando Bloom, Viggo, Dom, Billy, or Elijah were when FOTR was released. Now they are a part of my consciousness, and I often see their faces when I read the book. Not having "big" names ( be they foreign or domestic to me...) gives the movie going public in general, and Tolkien fans in specific, a better chance of enjoying Peter's story telling. I trust Peter even though I won't agree with every decision he makes.

Voronwë_the_Faithful
Valinor

Dec 8 2010, 1:13am

Views: 7752

Thorin clearly is not going to be the oldest of the Dwarves in the films

I don't think there is any question that the casting of Armitage signals that they are going to change that detail. It makes no sense to cast a much younger actor than for some of the other dwarves, and then use makeup to make him seem older. Moreover, Jackson flat out stated that they were going to make Thorin a hunky type character to rival Legolas and Aragorn from LOTR.

Whether they can do that and still achieve the gravitas that Thorin needs to bring to the role, I don't know. I have my doubts, but I am still keeping an open mind. But anyone who expects Thorin to be the oldest of the Dwarves is bound to be disappointed, I'm sorry to say.

'But very bright were the stars upon the margin of the world, when at times the clouds about the West were drawn aside.'

www.arda-reconstructed.com

JWPlatt
Grey Havens

Dec 8 2010, 2:04am

Views: 8272

Saruman Recast News

In Reply To

JWPlatt: A recast Saruman [as the final casting announcement] would be anticlimatic

Ataahua: If Saruman is recast, my money is on the discussion boards blowing apart.

I was speaking in terms of global press, not in terms of the relatively tiny sample of avids here.

Elentari03
Rivendell

Dec 8 2010, 2:06am

Views: 7823

He did a good job with that role.

I am excited to see what he does as a dwarf. Smile

Kyriel
Forum Admin / Moderator

Dec 8 2010, 2:09am

Views: 7411

Good ol' Jed :-)

He had to be in it somewhere, didn't he? And buried under prosthetics as usual. Wink

Those left standing will make millions writing books on the way it should have been. --Incubus

Mooseboy018
Grey Havens

Dec 8 2010, 2:31am

Views: 9156

other roles

I think he was also the orc that got eaten by the uruk-hai on the edge of Fangorn and possibly the orc with the whip that put Frodo and Sam in the orc army in Mordor. And I think he was the Rohan soldier that found Theodred and possibly a random elf somewhere.

Ataahua
Forum Admin / Moderator

Dec 8 2010, 2:50am

Views: 7036

Oh, well, in that case you're thoroughly correct.

I sometimes forget there's a world outside this computer screen. Laugh

DiveTwin
Rohan

Dec 8 2010, 2:56am

Views: 7703

Great News!

Everyone beat me to it - but happy to get more casting news. And particularly happy about Cate Blanchett. Wonderful to hear. Now ... three big names we need to ensure are back.

"Do not come between the Nazgul and his prey"

Captain Salt
Tol Eressea

Dec 8 2010, 3:34am

Views: 6591

Wonderful to see the cast filling out!

They all look very suited to their roles. Actually, the band of Dwarves didn't turn out too badly at all; with the exception of Armitage, Turner, Kazinski, and Brown, they look like Dwarves, (and the other four will add some much-needed variety to the assemblage)...

I always had a feeling Jed would end up as a Dwarf. I actually had my money of Bifur, but close enough! Tongue

Great to have Cate back...so, the "Necromancer/White Council" cast is shaping up as well...Drogo, Radagast and Galadrial so far...

BTW, Balin looks suspiciously like Rowan Atkinson! Smile

Samuel L. Jackson for Bilbo, Woody Allen for Thorin, Lewis Black for Bard and Gilbert Gottfried for Smaug!

MAKE IT HAPPEN, PETER!!!

(This post was edited by Captain Salt on Dec 8 2010, 3:37am)

TheGoblinKing
Rohan

Dec 8 2010, 3:41am

Views: 6444

I Think Ian Is A Sure Thing.

My guess is that Peter and all the producers figure Ian is an obvious assured casting and maybe doesn't need announcing and Andy Serkis is obviously gonna happen cause he and Peter are buddies.

All thats left is Dain, Bard, Smaugs Voice and The Elf King. If there is a female Elf who helps Bilbo likely be an unknown and not the Girl From Lovely Bones.

Intergalactic Lawman
Rohan

Dec 8 2010, 4:02am

Views: 6654

Still no news on Bard...

Boy I hope they go with Fassbender as Bard -he would be perfect!

Silverlode
Forum Admin / Moderator

Dec 8 2010, 4:07am

Views: 6122

*chuckle*

Names don't mean a thing in a nation of immigrants; nearly all American names have their origins somewhere else. Viggo is half and half by heritage, but he was born in the US, and is therefore an American citizen. He spent his childhood in Argentina, and a few young adult years in Denmark, but his teens and most of his adult years living in New York and L.A. He qualifies as American.

Silverlode

"Of all faces those of our familiares are the ones both most difficult to play fantastic tricks with, and most difficult really to see with fresh attention. They have become like the things which once attracted us by their glitter, or their colour, or their shape, and we laid hands on them, and then locked them in our hoard, acquired them, and acquiring ceased to look at them.
Creative fantasy, because it is mainly trying to do something else [make something new], may open your hoard and let all the locked things fly away like cage-birds. The gems all turn into flowers or flames, and you will be warned that all you had (or knew) was dangerous and potent, not really effectively chained, free and wild; no more yours than they were you." -On Fairy Stories

Kangi Ska
Half-elven

Dec 8 2010, 4:34am

Views: 6805

A man of the world , if I may say so.//

Kangi Ska Resident Trickster & Wicked White Crebain
New Zealand is Middle-earth & today life is good.

At night you can not tell if crows are black or white.

Kangi Ska
Half-elven

Dec 8 2010, 4:39am

Views: 6697

Saoirse Ronan is a sure thing!

Elfwench Warrior Woman lives!

Kangi Ska Resident Trickster & Wicked White Crebain
New Zealand is Middle-earth & today life is good.

At night you can not tell if crows are black or white.

TheGoblinKing
Rohan

Dec 8 2010, 4:57am

Views: 6323

Liam Neeson

He is an example for he was born in either Ireland or Scottland can never recall which but he is now a American Citizen and lives in New York.

Magpie
Immortal

Dec 8 2010, 5:06am

Views: 6221

yes

Sadwyn Brophy, Jed's son, played Eldarion.

Jed also played the Orc, Snaga. "Why can't we have some meat?! What about them? They're fresh."

See images starting here (click next to see more)

LOTR soundtrack website ~ June 2010 : ROTK Lyrics Update!
magpie avatar gallery ~ Torn Image Posting Guide

Gandalf'sMother
Rohan

Dec 8 2010, 5:54am

Views: 6315

Persbrandt is perfect

He has a Nordic intensity (sort of a blend of stoicism and insanity) that is just right for a figure that is basically straight out of Norse myth. Perlman, on the other hand, is just a really big goofy looking person.

Gandalf'sMother
Rohan

Dec 8 2010, 5:56am

Views: 6609

The have...

...stunt people for that sort of thing.

Earl
Forum Admin / Moderator

Dec 8 2010, 6:16am

Views: 6554

*Amazing! mods WAY up* :D**

I can't wait to see Galadriel again... screeeeeeeeam! Blush

Earl
Forum Admin / Moderator

Dec 8 2010, 6:16am

Views: 5908

Or Hugo Weaving //

Earl
Forum Admin / Moderator

Dec 8 2010, 6:20am

Views: 7294

Yep... he was Sharku :o)

Glad to see he'll be getting a more prominent role, or rather, a more substantial role, this time around Cool

Earl
Forum Admin / Moderator

Dec 8 2010, 6:23am

Views: 7024

I always thought he was Mexican... though I don't know why :P //

Earl
Forum Admin / Moderator

Dec 8 2010, 6:30am

Views: 5288

Haha... yes... totally seems like he is! :D //

TheGoblinKing
Rohan

Dec 8 2010, 6:37am

Views: 6450

They Will Likely Bring back Lawrence

He was the guy who Played Lurtz, the Witch King and Gothmog. Lawrence be a Great Great Goblin.

Earl
Forum Admin / Moderator

Dec 8 2010, 6:40am

Views: 6382

The Great Goblin is a minor role...

... if they're casting Lawrence Makaore, I'd personally like to see him have a more substantial role this time around, a role such as Bolg.

Oh what I wouldn't give to see this huge "Lawrence" Orc battling furiously at the Battle of Five Armies! That would be just way too awesome for me Cool

(This post was edited by Earl on Dec 8 2010, 6:41am)

RosieLass
Valinor

Dec 8 2010, 6:48am

Views: 6758

He'll be under a ton of prosthetics.

I don't see any reason why they can't make him look as old as he needs to be.

And are we sure Thorin is the oldest of the dwarves? Balin was with him when Smaug destroyed Laketown and took over the mountain. Why couldn't he be older?

It is always those with the fewest sensible things to say who make the loudest noise in saying them. --Precious Ramotswe (Alexander McCall Smith)

Elizabeth
Half-elven

Dec 8 2010, 7:32am

Views: 4973

"Far enough for the drowing..."

Bilbo's journey took place 60 years before the events of LotR. Frodo turned 33 at the Long Expected Party. You do the math.

Not that this wouldn't be the first time a filmmaker fiddled with the timeline, but I still disapprove. Mad

Sign up now in the Reading Room to lead a chapter discussion of LotR Book II!

Elizabeth is the TORnsib formerly known as 'erather'

Gandalf'sMother
Rohan

Dec 8 2010, 8:23am

Views: 5391

Drogo for the White Council?

Why would he have anything to do with that?

dormouse
Half-elven

Dec 8 2010, 8:50am

Views: 6243

I'm not petitioning anyone about Thorin.....

Richard Armitage is a fine actor - not one I would have envisaged for Thorin, but as several people have pointed out, he looks exactly like John Howe and Alan Lee's Thorin illustrations and this is just what I meant by unpredictable casting. It means they've put a particular interpretation on Thorin which isn't the obvious one and that's intriguing. No one can know if they like it or not until we see the film, but I'd place bets on Richard Armitage having the gravitas and the presence to make a really good Thorin when the time comes.

B.R.n
The Shire

Dec 8 2010, 9:17am

Views: 5885

Ken Stott was in the 2005 film Casanova

Great news!I knew Ken Stott's face from the 2005's Casanova, but not his name.Still waiting for the rest of that casting

Boromir2k
Bree

Dec 8 2010, 9:51am

Views: 5177

Exciting!

Although I don't recognise all of the names of the dwarve's cast, I do trust PJ & co that they know what they're doing.

Persbrandt for Beorn -Hoorah! To all those who are in doubt -don't be!

Can't wait for the Bard announcement! And I do hope they land Hugo for Elrond!

But one thing, isn't the pace of the Hobbit (as in the book) disrupted by side stories such as Radagast and Gandalf and perhaps Sauruman
battling Sauron, Drogo -and who know what else? Is that to say that the Hobbit in itself is to thin a story to make a film (or 2) out of? Is there
really a need for those stories to make the Hobbit movie? Nice to see, sure, but neccessary? Movie name shoudl be The Hobbit -and other tales from middle earth Wink

(This post was edited by Boromir2k on Dec 8 2010, 9:52am)

sphdle1
Gondor

Dec 8 2010, 12:14pm

Views: 5767

Awesome news ... keep it comin ! :-) //.

Zizix
Rivendell

Dec 8 2010, 1:20pm

Views: 4653

What a list of names! Again!

Much nicer than having itty bitty announcements Smile

Cate Blanchett seemed a given to me if they were gonna do a White Council storyline. I'm not worrying about Sir Ian or Andy, and I would expect Hugo Weaving to return too. Sylvester McCoy was pretty much announced already, looks like a wizard, should be great. I only know Ken Scott from King Arthur (though I didn't know his name), I'm happy the actor for Balin doesn't have a too typical dwarf look while still looking like dwarf, if that makes sense. Don't know Mikael Persbrandt but he looks like he could be a great Beorn. I´ll be quite anxious to see how this turns out, Beorn is quite an important character to me. Never heard of Jed Brophy but like everyone here I've seen him in quite a number of things apparently. William Kircher looks like he was born to play a dwarf so good choice for Bifur I would think. And Drogo... I don´t even know how old he is supposed to be in the book. And in the movie? I suppose he could have a very minor role but I think that since he has had this sort of announcement his role will have some substance. And then, Thranduil, Smaug and Bart for Christmas? Could be a very nice surprise indeed.

DrDeath153
Lorien

Dec 8 2010, 1:39pm

Views: 5241

Well for me

It's kind of a case of how far can you go down the 'maverick' casting decisions before you lose the essence of the character you're trying to cast. With some it works- i thought Elijah Wood made a very good Frodo (well at least in the first film after which he became a bit wet and wobbly), his innocence kind of fitted the nature of the character, despite arguably being too young for the role. Alan Lee wrote in his published sketchbook that he depicts Frodo as being 'in a state of indeterminate youth, alongside Gandalf's indeterminate old age' - there is certainly a degree of tolerance within the romanticised aging patterns and longevities of Tolkien's characters and races (shouldn't it perhaps properly be 'species'?) for our own interpretation as to how old these people should be. With Thorin there is a similar tolerance, but it is quite plain that this is a dwarf past his prime and so should be portrayed by someone similarly past their prime.

While the argument runs that a good actor can play whatever age they like and that under three inches of prosthetics you won't be able to tell who or what age the actor playing a dwarf is, i do believe you will be able to tell the difference, even if the film-makers stuck religiously to the character as written (which given their casting choice it seems they haven't). Richard Armitage may be a great actor, he may have gravitas and authority, but that is by the standards of his own age. He would make a perfectly good Middle-earth action hero of whatever description- there was sound reasoning behind people wanting him for Bard, even if it would have been rather typecasting (something that i fear has already been done with Martin Freeman as Bilbo), but he has not experienced the period of life which Thorin is in. I'm going to stick my neck out here since i don't know for sure, but i'd say it's a lot easier for an actor to play younger than their true age than older.

Right, well this so far has been all about the relation to age and the character, but there are other factors here. The first is the one that is perhaps the most unfair- that it seems that history is repeating itself. The story of Stuart Townsend's ill-fated casting as Aragorn is now pretty infamous, but while we would assume that people learn from the mistakes of the past, here we are ten years later and it seems that Peter Jackson is making that exact same error of judgement. For the first and possibly only live action film of The Hobbit we are likely to see, are you willing to gamble the interpretation of a beloved and pivotal lead character on a maverick casting decision? Now i don't want to send Richard Armitage home, contract in shreds, bad feeling all round, but for the sake of increasing my confidence in a solid take on our lead dwarf I would beg the filmmakers (not that it really does much good) to give Richard Armitage a consolation prize (hell if he really wants to play a dwarf give him Dain- at least then he can explore it without possibly falling short with Thorin (so to speak)) and recast Thorin with someone a bit more fitting. While i'm all for dark horses in the casting race, i would prefer a horse that was actually listed as running in the Thorin 02/11.

Dr Death

Ainu Laire
Tol Eressea

Dec 8 2010, 1:48pm

Views: 5083

Wow! What a list!I

I can't believe that the Swedish actor is going to be Beorn, I would have sworn he was going to be the Elven King.

Drogo, hum? Interesting, interesting... I'll wait before making any assumptions or calling foul. I would be surprised if he had a huge role.

They must still be working out Ian's and Andy's contracts XD And I can't believe Bard and the Elven King have yet to be announced...

Still, all very exciting!

My LiveJournal ~ My artwork and photography

NARF since age 8, when I refused to read the Hobbit because the cover looked boring and icky.

Runk Snusgrop
Rivendell

Dec 8 2010, 2:19pm

Views: 4876

Re: TORN EXCLUSIVE: Cate Blanchett, Ken Stott, Sylvester McCoy, Mikael Persbrandt join cast of Peter Jackson’s ‘The Hobbit’

Wow, Persbrandt as Beorn! Did not see that coming! At all. But he'll be great I'm sure. He's been on the verge of breaking into the international market for years, but according to himself Peter Stormare always seemed to pinch whatever roles he auditioned for. And by that I mean English-speaking market, I know he has quite a few fans in Germany thanks to the Beck films.

He has a lot more range than people give him credit for, he doesn't always play the hardnosed macho badass. See the underrated and overlooked Bang Bang Orangutang (2005) for proof of this.

I just saw him the other day in Dödlig Drift (eng. Deathly Compulsion) where he played a spolied upper-class brat who raped and killed woman, basically out of boredom, for lack of anything better to do. Terrible film, but he was brilliant. He rivalled Kevin Spacey in Seven and Peter Lorre in M for the #1 spot of creepiest movie serial killer.

(This post was edited by Runk Snusgrop on Dec 8 2010, 2:22pm)

Captain Salt
Tol Eressea

Dec 8 2010, 2:22pm

Views: 4696

Not what I said...

I didn't say Drogo would be ON the White Council, did I? I said that Drogo, Radagast, and Galadrial are first officially-cast characters who will be taking part in the "Necromancer/White Council" B-plot...

Samuel L. Jackson for Bilbo, Woody Allen for Thorin, Lewis Black for Bard and Gilbert Gottfried for Smaug!

MAKE IT HAPPEN, PETER!!!

Flagg
Tol Eressea

Dec 8 2010, 2:24pm

Views: 5086

'What's the point?'

I don't think we should ask such questions until we have seen the film and can judge for ourselves what the point of the Mayor's addition was.

Kangi Ska
Half-elven

Dec 8 2010, 2:26pm

Views: 5553

And they recast when the actor no longer suits the Role, as with Bilbo.//

Kangi Ska Resident Trickster & Wicked White Crebain
New Zealand is Middle-earth & today life is good.

At night you can not tell if crows are black or white.

Flagg
Tol Eressea

Dec 8 2010, 2:30pm

Views: 6809

I agree

While I admit I preferred Guillermo del Toro's choices of Brian Blessed and Ian McShane, making a petition to get rid of Richard Armitage would be disrespectful to both him and Peter Jackson.

Silmaril
Rohan

Dec 8 2010, 2:35pm

Views: 6192

i think they will give us the big names one by one!

wonderful to see cate again!!!

dave_lf
Gondor

Dec 8 2010, 2:44pm

Views: 6962

Alright, I'll bite

What makes you so sure Drogo is part of the White Council plot, as opposed to simply appearing in the Shire scenes?

Captain Salt
Tol Eressea

Dec 8 2010, 2:50pm

Views: 4879

He's been listed as a "lead"...

And it makes sense...they'll need characters to flesh-out the "B-plot", other than just Gandalf and the White Council. Drogo simply appearing in the Shire would be a "bit player", and none of the other cast they've announced have fallen into that category. It wouldn't make sense to announce the lead roles, major supporting characters, and then a guy who's there for two scenes.

BTW, I have no evidence for this of course, but I'd bet money when they films come out, it will start with Bilbo and Drogo in the Shire, Bilbo will get swept up in the Dwarves' quest, Drogo will be caught up in dealing with the Necromancer, and they'll meet up again at the Battle of the Five Armies. Cool

Or not. But maybe. Or possibly not. Or something?

Samuel L. Jackson for Bilbo, Woody Allen for Thorin, Lewis Black for Bard and Gilbert Gottfried for Smaug!

MAKE IT HAPPEN, PETER!!!

Kangi Ska
Half-elven

Dec 8 2010, 2:54pm

Views: 6621

I would see the Great Goblin more like Jabba the Hutt than an Uruk Hi.

Lawrence Makoare would be Blog.

Kangi Ska Resident Trickster & Wicked White Crebain
New Zealand is Middle-earth & today life is good.

At night you can not tell if crows are black or white.

Flagg
Tol Eressea

Dec 8 2010, 2:59pm

Views: 6567

In what order

were the casting announcements made last time round? Did they start with the major characters and then work their way down? Or was it more random and unpredictable (like this seems to be)?

dave_lf
Gondor

Dec 8 2010, 3:02pm

Views: 6073

That is a possibility, but I don't think we can take it to the bank just yet

My hope is that the whole thing will done as Bilbo telling his story to young Hobbits Princess-Bride style, with frequent cuts back to current events in the Shire to provide bridging material to LotR. If this is the case, Drogo and Primula's parts could be leads even if they are confined to the Shire scenes.

Kangi Ska
Half-elven

Dec 8 2010, 3:05pm

Views: 6486

LoL!

The Great White Wizard Drogo Baggins! I would bet that the writers have cooked up some scenario that will take place at Hobbiton and may partially play at the beginning of movie one & conclude with the auction near the end of movie two.

Kangi Ska Resident Trickster & Wicked White Crebain
New Zealand is Middle-earth & today life is good.

At night you can not tell if crows are black or white.

dave_lf
Gondor

Dec 8 2010, 3:10pm

Views: 6424

Indeed

I think it would be straying dangerously close to fan-fiction to include a Hobbit--any Hobbit--in the other storyline. It would also be redundant. We're already doing the little guy in over his head thing with Bilbo; why diminish that by repeating it with a parallel character?

TheGoblinKing
Rohan

Dec 8 2010, 3:26pm

Views: 6928

What I think Will Happen Is

They will stretch the whole Hobbit and make tthem like The Two Towers and ROTK. The focus point will be Gandalf and we will switch back to Bilbo and The Dwarvs while we get the White Council and things Going on which is called wizard matters.
In this way you can connect things with LOTR and still make it Bilbo's Journey.

Tim
Tol Eressea

Dec 8 2010, 3:37pm

Views: 8680

So far so good

All the right people are coming back so far and I love the unknowns (to me). This means they'll own the roles and I won't be thinking of other characters they've played. What can I say I'm weak-minded. Laugh

King Arthur: Who are you who can summon fire without flint or tinder?
Tim: There are some who call me... Tim?

Mixel
The Shire

Dec 8 2010, 3:44pm

Views: 7772

Imagine if

Imagine if Stuart Townsend had been cast as Aragorn. We would not know how much better the movies would have been if Viggo had been cast instead. This did not happen and we got a happy ending. Now this is happening again and we might not get a happy ending. Imagine someone saying in a parallel universe "Imagine if Thorin had not been recast. We would not know how much better the movies would have been."

Bound
Rohan

Dec 8 2010, 3:51pm

Views: 6107

FACE !

I wasn't sure about Richard Armitage until i saw this drawing

I mean look at the face... that's pretty spot on..

I know the drawing is just John Howes take on the character but still....

adnan
Rivendell

Dec 8 2010, 4:32pm

Views: 6656

wow!

This is by far the best post. Thanks for the comparison, it seals the deal for Richard as far as I'm concerned Cool

Rivendell

Eruonen
Half-elven

Dec 8 2010, 5:38pm

Views: 6027

A bearded photo.....obviously PJ saw something that rang true Beorn

http://www.svd.se/kulturnoje/nyheter/med-egna-ord-mikael-persbrandt_1777285.svd

http://iphone.film.nu/nyheter/148/intervju-mikael-persbrandt-berlins-filmfestival/

Fur clad

http://tonarsmorsa.se/2008/01/norsk-film-kautokeino-opproret/

(This post was edited by Eruonen on Dec 8 2010, 5:42pm)

Runk Snusgrop
Rivendell

Dec 8 2010, 5:42pm

Views: 7071

Re: A bearded photo.....obviously PJ saw something that rang true Beorn

Your post is really stretching the board (at least for me) so you might wanna edit your post and add this link instead: http://www.svd.se/...rsbrandt_373895b.jpg

A good pic, and PJ's remark on how well he auditioned sounds about right to me. Persbrandt is a big guy and can be really imposing and intimidating if he wants to be, and I am 90% sure that's what won PJ over. I can totally see Persbrandt bringing that threatening quality that Beorn has when the company first meets him.

He'll be great. Smile

gilgalad80
The Shire

Dec 8 2010, 7:18pm

Views: 8386

Awesome find! Cast looks great btw!

In Reply To

I wasn't sure about Richard Armitage until i saw this drawing

I mean look at the face... that's pretty spot on..

I know the drawing is just John Howes take on the character but still....

Wow! Awesome find.. Yes I'd say there's an incredible resemblance going on there. I'm sure all the casting choices are spot on.. I trust them.

(This post was edited by gilgalad80 on Dec 8 2010, 7:19pm)

Bound
Rohan

Dec 8 2010, 8:34pm

Views: 7342

yeah...

I'm totally sold visually anways.. i have not seen the guy act.. but he looks the part !

Oiotári
Tol Eressea

Dec 8 2010, 9:14pm

Views: 8281

That's an intriguing idea

not sure if I like it or not or how likely it is, but still intriguing

The wide world is all about you:
you can fence yourselves in, but you cannot for ever fence it out

You can only come to the morning through the shadows

Garfeimao
Rohan

Dec 8 2010, 11:23pm

Views: 5577

thorin with a Rohan helm????

Love the image and it's a great match with Richard, but I found it striking that the helm is what ended up being for Rohan. Then again, who says the Rohirrim didn't hire dwarven smiths?

Peace, Love and Rock & Roll,

Garfeimao
The orange stripey One

Cruise to Middle-earth

Ataahua
Forum Admin / Moderator

Dec 9 2010, 12:08am

Views: 6904

Maybe the helm

is a trophy of war. Evil

Kangi Ska
Half-elven

Dec 9 2010, 12:24am

Views: 7331

The helm is very close to an actual Viking helmet.

Notice the lack of the equine details of Rohan's helmets which were also based on the Vikings.

Kangi Ska Resident Trickster & Wicked White Crebain
New Zealand is Middle-earth & today life is good.

At night you can not tell if crows are black or white.

Kimi
Forum Admin / Moderator

Dec 9 2010, 12:29am

Views: 5514

Yes, Thorin's the oldest.

There's a family tree in Appendix A of LOTR. Thorin was born in 2746, Balin in 2763.

The Passing of Mistress Rose
My historical novels

Do we find happiness so often that we should turn it off the box when it happens to sit there?

- A Room With a View

mykonos
Bree

Dec 9 2010, 6:02am

Views: 6742

hmm

In Reply To

You could say "what if" to every single good and bad casting. Richard Armitage will be good maybe great. I've seen him act and don't think there's grounds for worry, really

Bound
Rohan

Dec 9 2010, 7:16am

Views: 6928

Also...

I think I remember John Howe and Alan Lee both saying that after working on lord of the rings they'd have to re-think the way they designed Dwarfs. It was working on the movies that the square motifs appeared.

DrDeath153
Lorien

Dec 9 2010, 12:30pm

Views: 5775

I don't really see your point.

If we assume that the actors playing dwarves are going to be buried under a similar amount of prosthetics as John Rhys Davies (they may have refined the technique and perhaps because of the greater acting demands they'll break the prosthetics down into smaller bits) then what are you proving by saying that Richard Armitage sans prosthetics looks kind of similar (lets face it it's the nose) to one sketch of Thorin done by one artist which in my opinion doesn't even subscribe to the established image for dwarves who proportionally should have a larger head to their relative body size (that i beleive was the reason why John Rhys Davies wasn't able to play a dwarf just 'as is')?

I mean i'm going to try and be fair here, because a good actor should, in theory, be able to play any age and if Richard Armitage is as good as people claim and not just the victim of female (and male) hormonal obsession blinding them to otherwise workable but not exactly remarkable ability, then yes, perhaps this gamble could pay off. But personally i'd prefer someone who actually has the seniority and reputation that Thorin exhibits rather than leaving it to chance for a younger than appropriate actor to have to imagine what that would be. Andy Serkis said in an interview when he was playing Ian Drury that the way acting works is that you basically look at the 'venn diagram' of where your own experience and that of the character overlap and basically use that as the core of your performance and imagine the rest. My worry is that in the case of Richard Armitage and Thorin that overlap really is very small (i accept that this will very quickly devolve into a case of reductio ad absurdum- very few actors have been driven from their kingdom by a dragon and spent a hundred odd years in exile plotting their revenge, but they could have at least have cast someone in the relative appropriate phase of their life).

I do completely agree with Flagg though- to petition for Armitage's replacement in the role (i would be happy to see him in the film otherwise) would be petty and insulting and would express a vote of no confidence which isn't quite what i'm doing (i've not seen enough of his work to be completely sure that he couldn't do it at all). My contention is rather a cross between a vote of shakey confidence and a vote of history repeating itself.

I do apologise if people consider this not to be pertinent to the debate of the new additions to the cast, however the splinter topic 'for those unfamiliar with the person playing Thorin' appears to have disappeared, and while the matters do somewhat overlap with the hot dwarf topic i thought the real discussion remained here.

Dr Death

Bound
Rohan

Dec 9 2010, 3:01pm

Views: 5386

hmmm

Okay - the pictures are a throw away issue, I agree.

I've never seen this guy act in anything so I can't judge.

I don't think Jackson cares to much about age - he cast Elijah Wood when he was clearly young for the part and to be honest that didnt bother me.

What is your issue with the casting ??? To be honest i'm a little indiffernt to most of the casting as i don't know most of their works. I'll jusge when i see footage of them..

Captain Salt
Tol Eressea

Dec 9 2010, 6:07pm

Views: 5962

Tolkien describes some Dwarvish helms as having visors, doesn't he?

I think? Or am I confused with Elf-armor, (such as Turin's Dragon-helm)?

Samuel L. Jackson for Bilbo, Woody Allen for Thorin, Lewis Black for Bard and Gilbert Gottfried for Smaug!

MAKE IT HAPPEN, PETER!!!

(This post was edited by Captain Salt on Dec 9 2010, 6:08pm)

N.E. Brigand
Half-elven

Dec 9 2010, 6:12pm

Views: 6356

TĂşrin's Dragon-helm was made by Telchar, the same dwarf who forged Narsil (AndĂşril). //

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Captain Salt
Tol Eressea

Dec 9 2010, 6:29pm

Views: 6464

Ah, that's right...

So, could be a royal Dwarvish helm.

Samuel L. Jackson for Bilbo, Woody Allen for Thorin, Lewis Black for Bard and Gilbert Gottfried for Smaug!

MAKE IT HAPPEN, PETER!!!

mykonos
Bree

Dec 9 2010, 6:30pm

Views: 6482

Valid points

But re: Richard Armitage's looks, I always thought it was the opposite. Namely, people thinking he's better looking than he is because of his acting. He's not exactly a pretty boy in the Brad Pitt sense. I didn't like him much until I saw his work, then I saw what all the fuss was about.

In the case of Stuart Townsend, wasn't he also sent packing from the Thor set? I'm thinking it was more Townsend's "creative differences", as it was so nicely put in the press release, that caused his replacement than that he was too young. As has been brought up before, Peter Jackson doesn't seem to have a problem casting younger. It can work. I doubt there will be nasty "creative differences" with Richard Armitage. He seems to get along just fine with his colleagues. He should be safe.

Bran
Lorien

Dec 9 2010, 6:40pm

Views: 6207

Best for last

It may be that they need to have most of the other actors in place, to plan the shoot, so they know when and where McKellan and any other big names (Saruman) will be needed. Might be important when organising contracts.

That said, They knew enough to cast Freeman around his Sherlock commitments.

sphdle1
Gondor

Dec 9 2010, 7:40pm

Views: 6384

There's just something about Cate

I really like her acting in every movie I've seen her in, also there's something really sexy about her when she talks, smiles...something in her eyes the way she looks. She has to be one of the best actresses on the planet right now.

Flagg
Tol Eressea

Dec 9 2010, 8:02pm

Views: 5399

The casting of Frodo and Thorin

are somewhat different cases. Frodo received the One Ring when he was thirty-three, so it makes sense that he would still look relatively young at the age of fifty. We also know that hobbits in general have longer life-spans than humans, which makes Frodo's youthful countenance even more acceptable. Thorin, on the other hand, is centuries old and has been through a great deal of hardship throughout his long life, so it would have been appropriate for him to be portrayed by an ageing, 'weathered' actor.

Bound
Rohan

Dec 9 2010, 8:40pm

Views: 6043

But...

You presume that Peter Jackson cast Frodo with those facts in mind. I think he cast Elijah because he was the best man for the job so we should presume that the same is said for thorin. Clearly Peter thinks Richard is perfect for the job.. I can't really complain until i see some scenes with him in costume and acting...

Kangi Ska
Half-elven

Dec 10 2010, 12:28am

Views: 5998

I think he cast him for those big blue eyes.//

Kangi Ska Resident Trickster & Wicked White Crebain
New Zealand is Middle-earth & today life is good.

At night you can not tell if crows are black or white.

Kangi Ska
Half-elven

Dec 10 2010, 12:30am

Views: 5572

Perhaps the best actress ever!

What other actress would and could play Bob Dylan.

Kangi Ska Resident Trickster & Wicked White Crebain
New Zealand is Middle-earth & today life is good.

At night you can not tell if crows are black or white.

macfalk
Valinor

Dec 10 2010, 9:10am

Views: 5528

Elijah

sent PJ a recorded tape I think of some of his acting, and PJ was blown away. That's how I remember it, that is! Cool

The greatest adventure is what lies ahead.

DrDeath153
Lorien

Dec 10 2010, 12:25pm

Views: 5698

Once again Flagg you get exactly where i'm coming from

There are many ways to justify Elijah Wood's casting, both in terms of cinematic suitability and more pertinently book-suitability. I do pretty much subscribe to Flagg's interpretation as to why in the film he looks so much younger than the 50 years he is in the books- that the Ring has drawn out his youth from the point he obtained it as he came of age (i think it's fair to assume that 33 is the Hobbit version of 18 or 21 in our modern human lifespans). But beyond the strict bounds of 'in world' justification, the character of Frodo is one of a young person, far moreso than Bilbo at the respective age since Frodo has the benefit of Bilbo's 'wander-lust' as it were- he doesn't know what the outside world is like but he wants to get out there and see it. Bilbo by comparison was much more 'middle-aged' by the time he started his own adventure- settled rather than restless, and not naive about the outside world because he had no real desire to see it and so no perceptions of what it would be. Really (to draw a close to this rather divergent ramble about Frodo) it boils down to something that Alan Lee wrote in his sketchbook about how he depicts Frodo 'I kept him in a state of indeterminate youth, alongside Gandalf's indeterminate old age.' In other words, what's important about the character is not the specific number assigned to their age, but the broad phase of life they are written as being in, and the same is true of Thorin.

This is, Bound, the reason (if i've not already made it apparent) that i am dubious of the casting of Richard Armitage- that due to his youth he will not have the same energy (or more specifically lack there-of) that someone who more closely fits Thorin's phase of life would. Thorin is not a virile action hero in the prime of his life like say Aragorn (not that he exactly was but there are clear comparisons to be drawn), Boromir or Eomer, and in the light of who Peter Jackson has cast i fear not only that Richard Armitage would not be able to act that far above his age, but also that the entire character of Thorin has been bent and shoehorned into an 'action-lead' stereotype that would essentially kill the character with all the sub-textual pressures he exhibits in the book. It would be as big a mistake tonally as making the whole Arkenstone debacle simply about greed.

As much as i'd love to trust Peter Jackson and Richard Armitage, i'm honestly worried about it and would prefer someone of the ilk of Ian McShane (who i thought was a stroke of minor genius of Guillermo's for Thorin), Brian Cox (though if he was cast i would worry about the villainous elements of Agamemnon being dragged over into Thorin), Anthony Hopkins, Tom Conti, Brendan Gleeson, even a couple of people already in the cast- i'd have more faith in Graham McTavish or Ken Stott in this crucial lead role - these actors would have more of an overlap in their personal/Thorin Venn Diagram to draw on and i could smile with confidence and optimism at both how well they would embody the character from the book and what more they could bring to him from their own imaginations and experience.

Dr Death

Bound
Rohan

Dec 10 2010, 12:46pm

Views: 5803

oh yeah for sure...

I know that story but Peter cast him because of that - and didn't care about how young/old he was. I don't think he considered any kind of "well the ring would have kept frodo looking young" train of though etc etc.

He was hired because he was the right actor for Frodo. WE must presume the same goes for Richard. I know Jackson has been wrong before - both in Stuart Townsend and also casting Ryan Gosling in the lovely bones - only to be replaced by the god awful Mark Walberg

sphdle1
Gondor

Dec 10 2010, 1:34pm

Views: 4830

True! Never thought about that

I haven't seen that movie yet, but I plan to put it high on my priority list now...thx!

She is definitely one of the best, if not THE best. It got me to thinking...who could compete with her as best actress ever...here's the list of actresses I could think of:
- Jodie Foster
- Meryl Streep
- Kate Winslet
- Angelina Jolie
- Hilary Swank
- Nicole Kidman

Also, though she is still young, Emma Watson has developed into a great actress, imho.

Bound
Rohan

Dec 10 2010, 2:33pm

Views: 5544

Wow...

I don't like to rain on anyone's opinons but Emma Waston is one of the worst young actresses out there. She is constantly the worst thing in the Harry Potter movies and I don't know how often i've heard people complian about her awful eyebrow acting.

as i said i don't like to rain on people views.. and this isn't a persoanl attack but rather an observation ...

sphdle1
Gondor

Dec 10 2010, 3:12pm

Views: 6489

no problem

you're entitled to your own wrong opinion Laugh

I don't go by what critics or the majority of people say ... I go with how I feel about someone's acting and how it touches me ... up until this latest HP7.1 movie, I never thought much about it, but Emma Watson in this latest film had a much larger role and was in almost all the scenes compared to the other movies ... this movie really resonated with me, and it was her acting IMHO that was one of the main contributing factors...she really stepped it up many notches as far as I saw and felt.

Bound
Rohan

Dec 10 2010, 5:24pm

Views: 6516

I'll give you that...

She certainly improved in the most recent movie compared to the ones before...

BountyHunter
The Shire

Dec 12 2010, 5:42pm

Views: 8441

Hobbit Casting news

The Doctor as Radagast!!! This is great. I love Sylvester McCoy!!!