From TORN's home page: Orlando comments on The Hobbit

[Ataahua]

Orland iffy on 'Hobbit' unless Peter Jackson returns
Orlando Bloom seems to be shying away from playing the great elf Legolas in “The Hobbit,” that is unless his original “Lord of the Rings” helmer is behind the camera. “Who’s directing it, Peter Jackson?” he mockingly answered when asked about the possibility.
Yes, we know that Legolas isn’t technically in “The Hobbit,” and to his eternal credit, Bloom knows this as well. But dedicated “Rings” fans know that Legolas is an elf from the realm of Mirkwood, a kingdom Bilbo Baggins and his dwarf companions get captured in towards the end of “The Hobbit,” imprisoned there by the Elvenking Thranduil.
Given, then, that Bilbo spends much time during “The Hobbit” at Mirkwood, and given, too, that Thranduil is Legolas’s father – it seems inconceivable that filmmakers wouldn’t choose to include the popular character in some capacity. “Maybe they’ll create a subplot for Legolas,” Bloom said, though later adding that “I think we covered [his story] with ‘Lord of the Rings.’”

The blog comments beneath the article (http://www.mtvmoviesblog.com/2007/05/17/orlando-bloom-iffy-on-hobbit-role-unless-peter-jackson-returns/) includes an idea that caught my eye: David Bowie as Thranduil?

 

[Eowyn of Penns Woods]

David Bowie as Thranduil?

is giving me visions of an Ezpeleta pic come to life.

 

[Ataahua]

I wonder if any of our creative types could merge Bowie's Goblin King into a picture of Thranduil's hall? I'm picking the result could be nightmarish. [cool]

 

[Mar]

Just love any chance to say that....
I must add - the thought of a subplot both intrigues and concerns me.
Might lend itself to some 'Conspiracy Theories' that we could have fun with...

 

[Elven]

Leave out Legolas!! Not a chance! [shocked]
I have a vision of a very smirky Orlando Bloom smile when he said that!! *the cheek* []
Although not technically in The Hobbit, Tolkien has placed Legolas close enough to the story for him to be there ... creative license ...

David Bowie as the Thranduil? I can see that ... but also Ezpaleeta - and Im thinking Brian Froud here as well.

I'd like to see Russel Crowe as Beorn!! *dont throw tomataos!! I have my sunday best pyjamas on here ..splat* [laugh]

Hope Leggies schedule is clear past 2009 ...

Ive booked my ticket on the rollercoaster for the ride!! WOOHOO!!

[heart] Elven

 

[grammaboodawg]

Peter's leading the pack and asks... everyone who could possibly be fit in will be there like a shot! Double shot! TRIPLE SHOT!

Film 2 of the two-film project would make the possibility of reprising roles more likely or, at least, possible since it's drawing the stories of The Hobbit and LotR together. *twitch*

omg... what a magical opportunity!!

 

[orcbane]

It would be great to see any of the original cast in additional films. 'I hereby grant the thy licence'. But I imagine it will take some thought on how to do it without marring the new film. The focus would probably be best kept on the main Hobbit characters. Cameo's perhaps ? Now D.Bowie is another matter! Thranduil...? I think he has done some thoughtful music, but am not sure he has the level of acting ability needed. Even if he did, I think it would be practically impossible not to see 'Bowie as an Elven King' rather then first see an Elven King.

 

[Ataahua]

I was surprised by how good he was. He breathed that rather spooky role.

 

[Elven]

To find out after the movies have been made by Peter in the extended edition of the Hobbit DVD'S (There and Back Again []) the story of how they had all made a pact during LOTR, that if the Hobbit went ahead they would be there for the film - for Peter!

We shall never give up gramma!!

[heart] Elven

 

[deej]

...not like Arwen was in 'LotR'. But it is totally plausable that he would have been there with his dad in Mirkwood, and I think it would be cooler to see Orlando in a cameo than have a big part. Maybe standing with his father when Bilbo and the Dwarves are brought in.

 

[grammaboodawg]

that's exactly what happened

*high five*

 

[LostHamster]

I think he has enough of that 'otherwordly' feel to play an elf quite nicely

 

[Ataahua]

One preference I have for FOTR's TV over the EE is the stone trolls: In the TV they're just in the background, not referenced at all, which I LOVED! In the EE we got Sam's, "Look, it's Mr Bilbo's trolls!" which took some of the insider coolness from it.

Something similar with Legolas in The Hobbit would be nice - nothing obvious, just him in the background, hanging out with his rellies.

 

[orcbane]

I saw Labyrinth but not Prestige. I would agree he does have an otherworldly presence. But one of the things that worked really well for me was not knowing the actors before seeing LoTR. I thought it helped to focus on the characters rather then 'hey look there's so and so playing Celeborn'. I could be wrong, but I think he would have to have a great performance to get people past his Bowie Character. I'm doubtful he could pull that off.

I have thought it would be cool to maybe run into Legolas on the battlefield. Another thought was to change the story a bit. In the book the spiders finally give up the chase when Bilbo & company reach an elven clearing. Instead have the elves showup out of nowhere to drive the spiders off in a short but fast little battle. The elven leader could then take off his helmet & its....

 

[Silverlode]

I think there are too many people who remember him as the Goblin King for him to really disappear into the role of Thranduil. Plus, I really don't want anyone who is going to make me think of Ezpeleta....*shudder*

 

[Elizabeth]

(1976) Bowie was brilliant in that. And, let's face it, Thranduil doesn't have to do a lot. I vote YES!

 

[Elven]

Somehow he managed (for me) to encaspulate Legolas totally - I have a great deal of admiration for the way he was depicted - it does not look like Orlando Bloom at all - even after watching the movies over and over .. he transcends Orlando to become this 'Middle-Earth Elve.
I think even if he had a small part - his presence would still be noticed ... very much like Liv as Arwen - though I think they may change his 'look' very slightly - after all he wont be travelling - unless he goes to Lake Town, he'll be at home in his own space ...
Leggy Slippers and sweaters []

Just thinking about that - seeing that Leggy can drink like a fish ... they must have had a huge number of barrels of wine to get elves happy at the Palace! ... excpet for the storemen ... [tongue] []

[heart] Elven

 

[Idril Celebrindal]

I think it would be appropriate for Orlando Bloom to have a couple of appearances as Legolas in the Hobbit movie. Perhaps we could see him feasting in the woods or hunting deer. Alternatively, he could be in the party that captures the Dwarves or a member of Thranduil's court. He and his infamous Gatling Bow could also be in a couple of shots during the Battle of Five Armies. But that's it. Blowing up these cameos into a full-fledged subplot would be absurd. It would distract from the story's focus on Bilbo's journey and introduce a plot element that Tolkien never intended even in passing.

I really don't want the Hobbit movie to be bloated out of all recognition by a lot of extraneous material that Tolkien didn't include in the original. The connection between the movies should focus on the Ring and characters like Bilbo, Gollum, Gandalf and Elrond. Other references should be less prominent and not interfere with the story; an Orlando cameo would fit in with that kind of adaptation.

I want the Hobbit to be, well, the Hobbit, not "Lord of the Rings: Episode I." Lord of the Rings is the sequel to the Hobbit and was written to capitalize on its success; the Hobbit should never be viewed as a "prequel" in the sense of something that was conceived afterwards! Unfortunately, the Hobbit movie is inevitably going to be thought of as a prequel to the LOTR movies. I just hope it isn't as lame as the prequels to Star Wars.

 

[orcbane]

I guess a lot will depend on how the screenplay writers decide to handle it. For lack of better words I'll say the tone and focus. For example, if you decide a certain sort of authenticity is a priority, then Legolas would have had to been in the backround somewhere. Certainly at least at the Battle of Five Armies. Kings send sons to wars & not vice versa. He was not invented yet of course when The Hobbit was written, but I think the film version of middle-earth has to have consistancy with itself. But yes, cameo only. Still would be fun.

 

[GaladrielTX]

how I’d receive news of Bowie as an Elvenking. ;o) Seriously, I think a great deal of him as an actor. As for Legolas, I hope they don’t use cameos. While I wouldn’t mind some actors reprising their roles as the major Hobbit characters (Gandalf and Elrond and maybe Galadriel), I don’t want constant reminders of LOTR. The Hobbit is its own story. I also don’t want to be reminded, by Legolas’ presence, that, according to the LOTR movies, Elves have a good head for wine. It’s a crucial plot point in The Hobbit that they don’t.