Peter Jackson and New Line Announce 'Hobbit' Casting!!!
ranger123
Oct 22 2010, 1:12am
Warner Bros. just released the following press release, confirming Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins and revealing a slew of other actors:
Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Rob Kazinsky, Aidan Turner, Graham McTavish, John Callen, Stephen Hunter, Mark Hadlow and Peter Hambleton have joined the ensemble cast of the The Hobbit, it was jointly announced today by Toby Emmerich, President and Chief Operating Officer, New Line Cinema; Alan Horn, President and Chief Operating Officer, Warner Bros.; Steve Cooper, co-Chief Executive Officer of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., and Peter Jackson.
Since The Hobbit films received a green light on October 15, pre-production has been in full swing. Set for release in December, 2012 and December, 2013, we can confirm that Martin Freeman (The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Hot Fuzz) will play Bilbo Baggins, the hero of the story. Richard Armitage (UK TV's MI-5 and soon to appear in Captain America: The First Avenger) is set to play Thorin Oakenshield, the leader of the Company of Dwarves which sets off to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from a thieving dragon.
"Despite the various rumours and speculation surrounding this role, there has only ever been one Bilbo Baggins for us," says Peter Jackson. "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."
He adds "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 Oakensheild. 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."
Rounding out the Company of Dwarves are Aidan Turner (TV's Being Human) and Rob Kazinsky (TVs EastEnders) who play Kili and Fili, respectively. Jackson comments "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; I'm looking forward to seeing the damage he can do to a horde of marauding Goblins!" He continues, "Adian 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."
The remaining dwarves will be played by Graham McTavish (Secretariat and TV's 24) as Dwalin; John Callen (TV's Power Rangers Jungle Fury) as Oin; Stephen Hunter (TV's All Saints) as Bombur; Mark Hadlow (King Kong) as Dori; and Peter Hambleton (TV's The Strip) as Gloin.
Jackson notes, "Graham is a terrific actor, with a great depth of experience, which I know he will bring to the role of "Dwalin. I have worked with Mark Hadlow on many projects; he is a fantastic actor. I am thrilled to be working with both of them on these movies. He adds, "I am also proud to announce the casting of New Zealand actors as Peter Hambleton, John Callen and Stephen Hunter. Fran and I know that they will bring great depth and talent to our Company of Dwarves."
The two The Hobbit 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 Phillipa Boyens serving as co-producer and Ken Kamins as executive producer. The Oscar-winning, critically acclaimed LOTR trilogy, also from the production team of Jackson, Walsh and Cunningham, grossed nearly $3 billion worldwide at the box office. In 2003, "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.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/blogs/heat-vision/peter-jackson-and-new-line-32059
entmaiden
Forum Admin / Moderator
Martin Freeman is going to be an excellent Bilbo!!! So happy about that!
P.S. I told you guys about the Aiden Turner casting ages ago hehe
So it was true!
We have our Bilbo! WOO HOO! Martin is perfect!
Owain
Wow! Cool! Nice to get some good news!
"Question everything, embrace the bad, and hold on to the good."
JRandomRohirrim
This cast is even more unknown than LOTR!
I remember Martin Freeman, and Richard Armitage sounds familar (Jim says he's in the recent British Robin Hood).
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Deadline has more unconfirmed names
http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/peter-jackson-sets-first-names-for-the-hobbit/
Stephen Fry, Saoirse Ronan and Bill Nighy (as the voice of the dragon Smaug)
(This post was edited by Silverlode on Oct 22 2010, 5:47am)
pandoraziki
So Martin Freeman it is! And Richard Armitage (pity he'll be hiding under all the dwarfish make-up). Thanks for some positive news!
*puts on my Happy Dance shoes again!*
HA HA! Martin Freeman for BILBO yah baby yah!
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Tim: There are some who call me... Tim?
Richard Armitage as Thorin?!
odd casting imho
(This post was edited by Estel78 on Oct 22 2010, 1:24am)
this is so nice to see after all of the other news
I missed out on the buildup around here to the LOTR films, so it's kind of nice to be here for this moment.
Very happy to read this and Peter's comments are heartening indeed!
It is a bit odd
He would make a great Bard. But then again he's a great actor so I am sure he will pull it off.
Ruijor
Unknown cast indeed
Richard Armitage was often mentioned for the role of Bard so I´m quite surprised to him beeing cast as Thorni ...
Oh well, I trust Team Jackson.
(This post was edited by Ruijor on Oct 22 2010, 1:33am)
Actor pics Part l
Robert Kazinsky
(This post was edited by Owain on Oct 22 2010, 1:32am)
Hobbitonmayor
Balin?
What about Balin? Seems like a very important supporting role....
Woodyend
Thanks ever so much for the pics/
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chrismortega
Weird...
to think that these faces which I have never seen before are going to become SO FAMILIAR.
Does anyone else think Richard Armitage is kind of young for Thorin. I trust PJ's judgment, but I'd always pictured him a lot older!
"NEVER TRUST AN ELF!"
Just imagine him with the beard and cotume
SirDennisC
Great line up so far!
Still wondering about Bard though. Still crossing my fingers for Til Schweiger, Mads Mikkelsen, or Thomas Kretschmann.
Didn't think RA had a shot, especially for head Dwarf. Wow, just wow!
Love the choice of Stephen Hunter
Never heard of him before but he has a GREAT Bombur look about him!
http://www.google.com/...&tx=65&ty=68
Nighy, Voice of Smaug...
...I saw that mentioned as a possibility on the TORn front-page article. That would be freaking brilliant! I recall a lot of discussion as him as the Elven king, but I think his bordering-on-bored posh vocal delivery (combined with his classic snort-laugh) would be utterly great for Smaug (of course doctored up in sound post production to make the voice more booming and menacing).
Also, happy to see McTavish's name in the list of dwarves. I thought he was quite the bad-ass in the current Rambo flick (as the ex-SAS British merc).
Yeah, Richard Armitage seems too young...
with not enough meat on his bones and what about his voice? Kinda doubt it's baritone.
PJ always seem to cast too young actors before replacing them eventually *lol* case in point, Aragorn and the father in Lovely Bones.
Sr. Staff
This is exciting news indeed!
But wouldn't it confuse everyone to cast Aidan Turner AND Aiden Turner...??
GO TEAM MARTIN!
'There are older and fouler things than orcs in the deep places of my fridge...'
'You never know what will happen next, when once you get mixed up with TORnsibs and their friends.'
Seanwise
Excellent choices!
Great news! Congrats to Martin Freeman, he'll be great. Also good to see an Irishman, Aidan Turner, in the cast :)
That's how i picture a dwarf, yeah...
not all these skinny people. ;)
I've got to think...
that all these guys are freaking out right now. I mean, they've known for a while, I'm sure, but now all their friends are calling them up saying, dude, you're in the Hobbit.
Cheers to you guys, if any of you read this!
duats
Bill Nighy is up for Smaug?
MAKE IT HAPPEN, PJ.
Does a circle dance....
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Round and round I goes!
Like weaver I missed out on the build up to the Trilogy so this is going to be a real treat!
Oh! Congratulations Mr. Jackson and co. :)
"...In the deep places he gives thought to music great and terrible; and the echo of that music runs through all the veins of the world in sorrow and in joy; for if joyful is the fountain that rises in the sun, its springs are in the wells of sorrow unfathomed at the foundations of the Earth. The Teleri learned much of Ulmo, and for this reason their music has both sadness and enchantment. Salmar came with him to Arda, he who made the horns of Ulmo that none may ever forget who once has heard them..."
"Of the beginning of days", The Silmarillion.
Please no Til Schweiger!
Have an aversion to that guy and imho he's not a good actor.
I'm surprised this isn't a "Trending Topic" over on Twitter
There's LOTS of #hobbit traffic over there tonight!
Kelvarhin
yeah, the other news was really getting me down
so this is just great
Excellent that we've got our Bilbo (yay Martin Freeman! ). Some interesting choices for the dwarves, though, I guess they'd need to be reasonably young and fit, to carry all the weight of the dwarf costumes.
One by one they faded, and fell into shadow...
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Actor pics Part ll
(This post was edited by Ataahua on Oct 22 2010, 3:34am)
Attachments: Peter Hambleton.jpg (42.0 KB)
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Ataahua
Superuser / Moderator
A shame to hide those features beneath prosthetics...
Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..."
Dwarves: "Pretty rings..."
Men: "Pretty rings..."
Sauron: "Mine's better."
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Ataahua's stories
I've gotta admit, I always saw Richard Armitage as Bard...
and when I read "Thorin" it threw me--I would never have picked him for that role. I'd agree with those who say too young and not enough meat on his bones.
"look back. look back at me." Yeah.
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Donry
Now we're rolling! Love the fact these folks are relatively unknown, especially over here in North America......what an amazingly busy day for this site and fandom! Its gonna take me a few hours to get through all these posts!
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Stephen Hunter in action:
He plays the Dad in this ad - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDkg6ge9vaY
Plurmo
Young so they can endure a prosthetics tour de force.//
Laitholiel_the_SeaElf
I'd never considered it before you mentioned the name, but
Wow. Nighy would be fantastic.
But you are what you love,
And not what loves you back.
And I'm in love with illusions
So saw me in half.
I'm in love with tricks
So pull another rabbit out your hat.
The only choices that really bug me are Aidan Turner, Rob Kazinsky, and Richard Armitage.
They just don't possess the dwarf look. I understand that Fili and Kiki are the youngest in the group, but these two are... well, pretty boys. As for Armitage, he just doesn't fit my image of the older, wizened leader of these dwarves. He's an extremely talented actor, but I don't want another instance where a role is cast too young.
I was kind of hoping they'd cast actors who had the "dwarf" look, so that they had less reliance in prosthetics.
(This post was edited by duats on Oct 22 2010, 3:27am)
Yes! Martin Freeman!
All those years after I first suggested him. :-)
It's nice to have something to celebrate.
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
Can you really picture Richard Armitage as Thorin?
Well, i can't, sorry. He's just too young and doesn't have that dwarvish look. Sure, make-up can change you a lot but what about the voice? I picture Thorin having a deeper, commanding voice. I doubt Armitage has a deep, commanding voice, from the looks of his. When i picture Thorin, i see someone like Brian Blessed, who admittedly is a little too old now. Graham McTavish would have been a better Thorin imho.
When i look at Armitage i keep thinking of the women they glued beards on in LOTR. *lol*
Altaira
---> FYI: Extensive bios of all the actors a bit down the board in the Meet the Cast thread from the Home Page
Posted from the Home Page, It got pushed down the board, as usual.
But, Xo did a fabulous job of writing up some of the most detailed bios (if not *the* most detailed bios) you'll find out there at the moment.
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Ainu Laire
Woo hoo! Love this, great to see so many unknowns...
Man, that is just awesome! I love all of these unknowns, and Martin Freeman getting Bilbo definitely makes me happy.
Really sounds like they choose actors not for their names, but their auditions. Which makes me very, very happy.
(Sorry if this appears more than once, I'm still getting loading problems... but at least I made it to the message board! :P)
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NARF since age 8, when I refused to read the Hobbit because the cover looked boring and icky.
But PJ cast some older folk for some of the other dwarves.
Young so they can endure a prosthetics tour de force
Me too, Patty.
He very much matches my vision of Bard.
Perhaps they want someone with a Romantic Hero look about him for the bulk of the journey, not just the small section where Bard's present.
Saoirse Ronan will be Legolas' sister?//
ShawnMR
YES!!! Perfect casting... so glad there is still good news coming out right now.
#1 - Board is too slow :-) #2 - The Dwarves are going to be under makeup
It doesn't really matter what these guys look like - they're going to be under makeup. If they did it to John Rhys-Davies they're going to do it to everybody. It's the performance under the makeup PJ is looking for and these people brought that character to their auditions it seems. And don't go by voices either - Liv Tyler is proof that the voice can be manipulated (she did it on her own I don't mean to imply they did it in post).
And yes I'm going to whine about the board being too slow.
(This post was edited by Tim on Oct 22 2010, 3:43am)
was just thinking that some of our sibs should go into the casting business, some of the predictions were pretty darn close
I'm hoping for Michael Fassbender myself.
Would post link, but I can barely get the forums to load, nonetheless the link adder XD Love his look in other films, and dude can act.
That Mikkleson guy isn't bad, though.
Here is Armitage in Robin Hood Tv Show
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8RmjwAuGN4
http://www.youtube.com/...&feature=related
He clearly as more of Bard´s look than Thorin´s but he does have a deep voice.
Their looks aren't the issue
It's their voices. It is incredibly difficult to fake your age through your voice and pull it off convincingly. I am familiar with Armitage's work, and he doesn't have the voice for Thorin.
Like I said. Great actor. But too young for the role.
The Party Tree
I can't help but be reminded of another casting decision...
...that made us think the same thing.
Eruonen
He definitely has the look.....
By the way, did you read the article you linked to?
Not very flattering of his movie critic skills!
He certainly fits the role of Bombur.
HELL'S BELLS AND HALLELUJAH!!!!
I step away for a few minutes and all Hell breaks loose! I was trying not to be sick and depressed about the situation in New Zealand then WHAMMO! Now I'm sky high and giddy. There's lots of room for discussion and plenty more casting news to come. WHEE!!!
Nerwen
Well let's make it trend!
Best news I've woken up to since a very long time! :) Sadly I'll have to leave the computer in about 40 minutes, but I'll try to check things with my phone during the day. I think we should try to make #MartinFreeman #theHobbit AND #NewZealand trend together - what say you?
"Eyes that fire and sword have seen
and horror in the halls of stone
look at last on meadows green
and trees and hills they long have known."
Compa_Mighty
I'm also puzzled about Armitage as Thorin...
Especially since we were expecting somone along Brian Cox's build and age... but as I've said before, I trust PJ. Let us see how this pans out... it must have a specific reason...
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Essay winner of the Show us your Hobbit Pride Giveway!
Looks like Martin Freeman and Bilbo are trending already
I hope we can add #NewZealand to that list to show our support. Let's do it!
Interesting I'm not familiar with the guy at all
so you may have a good point I'll see if I can find any clips of him. Is there any chance he can pitch his voice or something?
Emmabelle
Welcome Martin!
Some good news!!!!!!!!!!! Happiness!!!!!!!!!!
Welcome Martin & co to the family!
Horcrux
Is anyone *not* happy?
I've even registered to the message boards because I NEED to know: is anyone not happy about having Martin Freeman as Bilbo?
I'm not, for some reason. I wish I could be, because that would feel as if I were more supportive of the project, when, in all truthfulness, I don't see him as Bilbo. I liked him as Arthur Dent, I found him perfectly bearable as a new John Watson, but I'm having a hard time accepting him as Bilbo. I like how he sounds and I can hear his voice saying the lines. However, I'll admit to having doubts about it.
All reason put aside... the little girl in me who read the book for the first time when she was 6 doesn't feel Martin Freeman as Bilbo.
I'm sorry for not sharing everyone's enthusiasm, you guys.
No all opinions are welcome here
I can't say I agree with you but that doesn't mean I don't respect your opinion. I saw this guy as a hobbit when I saw him in The Office and when they announced they were going to make this movie this guy is the first thing that popped into my head. It's all good though, welcome!
Voorhas
Very happy indeed.
Couldn't be more pleased with this outcome. Freeman's been my pick for, well, years.
Thanks. : )
Well, I suppose I can see him as a hobbit. Especially since I think his voice simply fits the part. I just don't see him as Bilbo, is all. haha
lurtz2010
I've never even heard of Martin Freeman
But he does look good for a young Ian Holm
Now THERE'S an image -- sexy dwarves. //
Eventides
Couldn't get the site to work until just now...
...TORn's poor servers must have been overwhelmed! But I was online when the story broke, and after the past two days of miserable news about the production probably moving out of NZ, this was exactly what was needed to cheer us up. I just about leaped off my chair with a geeky shout of joy, I can tell you-- particularly when it was confirmed who Bilbo is going to be! :)
You see, I adore Martin Freeman's portrayal of Dr. John Watson in Sherlock, so when it was originally reported that he had to turn down The Hobbit in favor of Sherlock's second season I was of course a bit disappointed that he wasn't going to be Bilbo (as I thought he'd be just perfect as him), but still mostly relieved, since if only one of those two could be chosen I would rather he stay with Sherlock so the show can continue. But when it was announced tonight that he is indeed going to play Bilbo, I was filled with delight because that means that they got the scheduling issues worked out and he can do both!! :D :D :D
*Ahem*-- did I mention I am extremely happy right now? :D :D :D
*wanders off to read the rest of this thread...* :)
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Showbread.
(This post was edited by Eventides on Oct 22 2010, 5:17am)
thesithempire
A Deep Sigh of Relief
I've been pitching for Martin Freeman as THE Bilbo for years, and to see that PJ has been on the same page is gratifying to say the least. This is the very best news I could've heard about this film (other than it being greenlit)!! It's a happy day!
As to the other casting, I think it's brilliant.
To cast an ensemble of THIRTEEN bearded dwarves with names like Fili, Kili, Oin, Gloin, Thorin, Dwalin, Balin, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Dori, Nori, and Ori is a monumental task to say the least! In order for audiences to NOT get totally mixed up with who's who (remember that for a brief time when FOTR came, people couldn't even distinguish between Merry and Pippin!!), each actor/character has to be exceedingly distinguishable from the other.
And that's exactly what Jackson and co. did with their casting of the dwarves. By the same token, however, the actors need to believably look like they could be dwarvish (and obviously, I don't mean small in stature). They have to look like they belong to this ancient, stoic and stout culture of beings without all looking like clones of Gimli.
And they do. You have to squint with some of the younger ones and put a beard on them, but otherwise, I think the casting is so far a triumph. Like the human race, we should see a good deal of diversity.
Armitage is capable of an intense, even villainous performance. He's commanding, brooding and somber, and yet, there's a likeability to him that's necessary for Thorin. Personally, I think a lot of our images for ancient-looking dwarves comes from the old cartoon. Beloved as that may be amongst some (and I think it's great fun), that would've been a disaster for the film.
The rumor of Bill Nighy as Smaug is a hopeful one! I love that direction! That's an actor who can play very evil, as witness in the Underworld films. (Though I have to wonder if that's why the makers of Voyage of the Dawn Treader decided he wouldn't make an ideal Reepicheep after all -- though I never thought that was a good idea). The idea of Ron Perlman (a fine actor otherwise) never sat well with me. For one thing, I don't want an American actor in that role (or, for that matter, in any role in this film).
On the down-side of Nighy as Smaug, Nighy's voice is very distinctive. There would need to be some heavy post on his voice to tone that down, and to bring out the fact that this is a huge serpentlike creature speaking.
Anyway, I smell some serious classics being made, with my early prediction being that these two films will equal or surpass Fellowship of the Ring (the clear standout of the trilogy).
Radagast_the_Brown
Finally some good news!!!
So happy to hear Martin has been confirmed!
Armitage makes no sense, but we'll see, hopefully this means Fassbender is indeed Bard. I suspect Bard will only be in movie 2 and we won't hear about his casting for a while yet.
All you have to decide, is what to do with the time that is given to you...
A-ha! So that's how they're planning to sneak a chick into the film. I knew they'd find a way =-) //
Ok here are the Actor Pics Part ll (Can't find a good pic of John Callen anywhere)
Servers must have gotten overwhelmed with traffic while I was trying to upload these.
Peter Hambilton
Mark Hadlow
Yeah I'd have to agree going by the youtube his voice is deep enough. //
Finally - The Rainbow appears!
and what a pot of gold at the end of it!
Congratulations Martin Freeman and to our new Hobbity cast of actors
... and Graham McTavish! Awesome choice!
... and MrCere was right - the board blew up again, just like the good old days. Excellent!
And ain't it a glorious one ;D
What excellent news
.. and MrCere was right - the board blew up again, just like the good old days. Excellent! Evil Wink
LOL, yeah had to resort to posting stuff over on Facebook. Hope the poor old server hangs on now
(This post was edited by Kelvarhin on Oct 22 2010, 5:36am)
*scrubs out eyeballs*
Um... no... that's really not an image I want to see.. especially if it's what a dwarf considers sexy
ITARIL?
C'mon you know it would be awesome,
PJ again went for a bunch of relatively unknown actors
NZ = MIDDLE EARTH
(This post was edited by LoremIpsum on Oct 22 2010, 5:40am)
bookgirl13
In LotR, they could make all the dwarves look alike at the Council of Elrond, we only had to recognise Gimli. In this film, we've got to be able to differentiate between thirteen dwarves. So, varied casting is needed. As for Richard Armitage: he's got the height relative to the others to be a king, his voice is quite deep and he's a very versatile actor, who can play comedy as well as quite ambiguous parts such as in Spooks.
He is also a really nice man and PJ looks for that in long, ensemble shoots. His death in The Hobbit will rival Sean Bean's Boromir!
Just so long as Bard doesn't develop a relationship with her
Thankfully Saoirse is too young, I think. Well, she was. Maybe not anymore. Gah.
Major roles left
William (voice)
Bert (voice)
Tom (voice)
Gwaihir (voice)
Mayor of Laketown
Smaug (voice)
Cirdan the Shipwright
and dare I say it... Saruman?
Am I missing anybody?
Gandalf, Elrond, Galadriel, and Gollum go without saying. And my guess is they'll bring Marton Csokas back for Celeborn.
It's always fascinating
how differently people envision things when they read the books.
the little girl in me who read the book for the first time when she was 6 doesn't feel Martin Freeman as Bilbo.
He was my first choice when it became obvious that Ian Holm wouldn't be able to play the role again.
But take heart - a lot of people were really, I mean really unhappy about Elijah Wood being cast as Frodo.("He's much too young! And American! And he has freakishly huge eyes and he's not hobbity at all!") Nearly all of them were eventually won over when they actually saw the movies. So even though it isn't who you would have chosen, you may yet be pleasantly surprised. Wait until you see the promo photos and see the advance sneak-peek trailers and you may find that it works better than you can imagine now.
Even if it doesn't, you're very welcome to join in the conversation here and watch these movies unfold. It's going to be a great journey.
"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
Thank Gandalf!!!
I've been waiting to hear Martin Freeman as Bilbo for years! Great news!!!! I am a little worried by some of the dwarf choices, they don't all look dwarvish to me. But oh well, I trust Peter to do a wonderful job making Middle-Earth come to life once more! Another cheer for Martin Freeman!!!!!
And... a tiny picture of John Callen... but maybe even more interesting...
a snippet of his voice work. That seems to be the bulk of what he has done. Great voice!
And no... I didn't run out and take a pic of myself in a suit of armor. This is literally the only pic I could find of him.
John Callen
Here is his voice sample.
http://www.wom.co.nz/?q=node/32/lightbox2
The dude has an epic voice. Me likeee.//
Three cheers for Kimi!
Yes, and I jumped on that bandwagon right behind you. So nice to see it come to pass.
I admit, like others, I would have picked Richard Armitage for Bard rather than Thorin, so that will take some mental adjustment.
Now I really want to know who we're going to have for Bard and Beorn.
Dain should probably be on that list too.
And if the Stephen Fry rumor is true, I'm thinking maybe Master of Laketown.
I too am kind of scratching my head about Thorin... must be something there...
I was definitely picturing someone a lot older and with greater girth if you will.
Not Bard?
He did cut quite a figure in V for Vendetta...
sharku
We come to it at last
The meat course has arrived.
Martin Freeman - great stuff...and as an above poster said, it's somehow gratifying by proxy to have been thinking along the same lines as PJ and GdT.
Richard Armitage... in PJ we trust - he looks and sounds the part - and his voice is OK. It's that somewhat faux deep, though, like Christian Bale's in Batman, or Jackie Earle Haley in Watchmen, rather than genuinely booming like Brian Blessed's.
Classic skit (Blackadder 'deep booming voice'):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pp4jqfkZZoM
(This post was edited by sharku on Oct 22 2010, 6:06am)
Michael Fassbender would make a great Bard and he is rumored.
Riverside bathing scene, here we come!
that's really not an image I want to see.. especially if it's what a dwarf considers sexy
Despite the cheesiness of the first clip
RA has it in him to play the back-biting Thorin afterall, imho.
I just don't quite see Stephen Fry with a bow and arrow....
*falls off chair laughing*
Someone had to bring *that* up
*starts stalking after Silverlode, ya can run, but ya canna hide *
I could see Stephen Fry as one of the dwarves.
In fact, I said so some time ago.
Here was my cast wish list awhile back. I have a thing for images. Pardon my spelling on Thranduil... I think I put Thrandil or something...
http://newboards.theonering.net/...i?post=105432#105432
Unless my eyes are mistaking me
he is one handsome, though suitably grim-faced, fellow. But then, being a guy, I have no idea what the ladies look for in a romantic hero.
Just to reassure you, he is not so well known outside of Germany. Perhaps you have seen too much of him?
macfalk
Positive and Negative observations
Freeman to play Bilbo - great. Havent seen much of him but he looks like a great choice and in the right age.
Armitage to play Thorin - WHAT?! He is at least 20-30 years too young! Thorin is supposed to be very old and I expected someone in the range of ages 50-75. But what the hell, I gotta trust PJ.
Hunter to play Bombur - He looks great! I was afraid he was going to be some sort of skinny teenager, that would have been awful. But he looks great!
Another note is that Balin isn't here. It's worrying I think. I have no problem if they decide to not have all thirteen dwarves, but for heaven's sake, keep Balin! He's a very important dwarf, Fellowship, Balin's Tomb... If he would have been in The Hobbit it would have been great, the audience who would watch The Hobbit and then LOTR would then get without any problem who this Balin dwarf is who lies fallen in Moria.
The greatest adventure is what lies ahead.
*cheeky grin* Ah fess up...
you're still hoping to be Bard, aren't you
*is in a bit of a cheeky mood today *
Nesse
those three look the part but...
I also would have thought Armitage would have been bard, pity to hide those good looks under all those prothetics
They confirmed that all the dwarves would be involved....
... this is by no means an exhaustive list of the cast. In fact Phillipa said that they still had a lot of casting to do in one of the interviews at the Bag End set I believe it was.
*dabs drool from Kitty's chin*
Cheeky? Is that what you call it down under?
Stephen Fry was in the running to voice Smaug?
Second thoughts... (BALIN)!
Okay, maybe Armitage will work after all.
But BALIN! BALIN!
I love Balin. He's the single dwarf who always trusted Bilbo to 100%, and after the adventure became very good friends. And dont forget his connections to LOTR. Where is he?
Like I said earlier, I am quite sure that 13 dwarves (more than half of them mute) won't work on film. They're probably cutting it by half, and I don't think so many people would protest if they cut out Bofur, Bifur,Nori etc... but SAVE BALIN!
BALIN!
I'm also looking at you, TORN-member Balinman.
Balin.
(This post was edited by macfalk on Oct 22 2010, 6:26am)
David Tennant?
is he still in the running....Thandruil?
it wasn't very clear to me if all those names were being considered for Smaug, or some other role in the movies. I could see him as the voice of Smaug, but as a fan of his, his voice is very very familiar to me and it might be just a tad distracting. I think he'd be interesting as the Master of Laketown, though I wouldn't complain either way.
But on the other hand, he's been in contact with PJ a lot because he's been working on the Dambusters script, so it's hard to know if the rumors of him being in the running for the Hobbit are true or if he's just being included because of other associations.
He has a good look for it
but I'm not familiar with any of his work, so I can't judge beyond that.
Hmmm... did PJ and Co. announce differently.
[quoteLike I said earlier, I am quite sure that 13 dwarves (more than half of them mute) won't work on film
They have expressly stated that all of them would be in the film. Of course things change, revisions are made. Something I am missing?
Michael Fassbender is quickly becoming one of the best actors working today. He'd be perfect.
GDT said 13 dwarves, but that was over a year ago...
Scripts are often re-written.
Have you seen Inglorious Basterds (yes its spelled like that in the film) or 300?
There has to be 13 dwarves
This is one of those things that Jackson simply cannot change. The fact that there are thirteen dwarves is one of the very reasons that Bilbo is brought along in the first place. To be the lucky number.
Silmaril
no til schweiger!
i agree! brrr.
*bites lil bros fingers*
I already acknowledged that revisions are made... point is taken...
but there isn't any reason to believe that they have changed their mind. If I remember correctly it was the feeling of the screenwriters that there would be 13 dwarves... a group of which GDT is still apart and Peter Jackson is a member of.
I have a hunch that Balin is left out //
Haven't seen either.
But I've seen lots of people talking about them around here lately. I'm not really concerned, as I was quite happy with the casting for LOTR and I think that PJ and Co have very good casting instincts for the most part.
I doubt
they would leave Balin out....could Jimmy Nesbitt play the part, we still have Master of Lake Town, Thandruil and Bard oh and Beorn and Ive heard that Jimmy Nesbitt and David Tennant are still rumoured so maybe its one of them.
This is only the beginning of casting announcements.
There will be more to come. No need to worry at this point.
He has a specific mention in FoTR. Technically, he even makes an appearance. Think of the added impact that scene in FoTR will have if Balin is in this film.
Jackson has said they haven't finished casting. No sense in assuming the worst .
Hm. Ok.//
I hope and pray...
that among these we will still see Andy Serkis, Ian Mc Kellen and co who were in LotR sign up then I will be truly happy.
PJ discusses casting choices
http://www.awardsdaily.com/...s-hobbit/#more-30673
I hope it hangs in there too ...
I sort of go a bit weird when I can't get in here - it means I have to actually do some real work until the board comes back up again
Happy dance Kel. WOOT!
yeah, it's a bit like being a cat locked out of the house, *climbing the flyscreen, desperate to get inside *. And I'd far rather be playing here than doing the housework
Oh yeah, very happy dance Elven YIPPEEE
Kind of reminds me of a less gnarly Kevin McKidd
who, by the way, would probably also make a decent Bard.
The thing about that role, is that as well as putting female keisters in theatre seats, he has to be someone us fellas can admire and aspire to be like. Bard, for me, is an Aragorn-esque figure -- Viggo will prove a tough act to follow whomever they choose.
On Richard Armitage as Thorin
imagine that nose, under prosthetics, in 3D. Whoa.
Yeah... Michael Fassbender is a guy's guy... but the ladies like him too.
Win, Win.
Was kinda hoping for Jeremy Renner for Bilbo
But I'm sure this Morgan Freeman guy will do fine, whoever he is.
Yuk!!
Now you're putting me off my dinner
**and that's just plain mean, his nose isn't *that* big **
Finally casting info!...now if they could just get NZ back.
I thought Stephen Fry was in the running to voice Smaug?
"Stephen Fry, Saoirse Ronan and Bill Nighy (as the voice of the dragon Smaug) -are possible participants"
So, it's not official yet. Who knows? I can't really see Bill Nighy as Smaug, but it doesn't mean it's not true.
<<< There is a long road yet >>>
Chiticot
A too young Thorin
I think too, that Richard Armitage is too young for Thorin and too skinny. But he has a deep voice.
I like Martin Freeman as Bilbo, although I've never seen him in a movie, but he has that Hobbit look.
As for Bard, I was hoping for Toby Stephens.
"For death and glory..."
Haha, S.Ronan for the voice of Smaug? That would be something!
Owlyross
At the time of LOTR who'd heard of
Orlando Bloom, Karl Urban, Miranda Otto, hell, even Viggo Mortensen was a little known character actor.
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both."
The world is a tragedy to those who feel, but a comedy to those who think.
Horace Walpole (1717 - 1797)
Peredhil lover
Now sit down
and write 100 times: "His name is Martin Freeman, not Morgan Freeman", so you get to know at least his name
I do not suffer from LotR obsession - I enjoy every minute of it.
TORn Link Collection
TORn Travelling Journal website
Too young for Thorin!
That was my first impression too, maybe after a wig and prosthetics it won't matter?
Bexlin
Yay and Yay again to Martin Freeman!!
Yay to Ricahrd Armitage being in it at all!!!! I'd have prefered him as the Bard, but hey - he's in it!!!
FrodoEyes
I can't really see Bill Nighy as Smaug.
Nah, not scaly enough
Want, please!
*crosses fingers* I got my choice in Bilbo, here's for hoping I strike lucky twice :D
Has nobody welcomed you to Valinor yet?
"Welcome, and well met!" - Gloin.
The weekly discussion of The Lord of the Rings is back! Please join us in the Reading Room.
"What's the big hurry? It's been 17 years (at least) since Gandalf started to have suspicions about the Ring. It will be months after the Council before the Fellowship sets out. So why does the Council have to be this morning, so soon after Frodo woke up, and before he has had even one chance of a mind-clearing, relaxing walk in the woods?"
- FarFromHome.
but I did it by PM
Isn't it time you joined us?
Richard Armitags too young?
He is too young according to the book, although he is not the oldest of the dwarves. Elijah Wood was too young for Frodo, as in the book he's meant to be the oldest of the four hobbits. But the casting made some sense, in that the innocence of the hobbits in the wide world was emphasised by Elijah's youth.
So for Thorin, they need someone who can physically look the exiled King under the Mountain, amongst the other dwarves. Richard Armitage can bring that aspect to the fore. And perhaps PJ decided that, as their main cast was dwarvish, the prosthetics that Gimli wore were too all-encompassing to enable all the dwarves to be distinguished easily. So hopefully we will still recognize him even when in full makeup.
You're the first one, save Kelvarhin, who did it in private. Guess we're all a bit preoccupied right now
Thank you! I'm happy to be here!
grammaboodawg
I can see deej and many others
happy-dancing all over the place with the Freeman news!
FINALLY FINALLY FINALLY we've got NAMES AND BODIES AND PEOPLE!!! WOOHOOO!!!!!!!!
I'm so worn out from riding this roller-coaster ride over the past week that I could only clear about an EIGHT FOOT LEAP OF JOY!!!! *squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee*
I really need these new films to take me back to, and not re-introduce me to, that magical world.
TORn's Observations Lists
Unused Scenes
Shagrat
Is anyone else distinctly underwhelmed?
I expected Brian Cox, James Cosmo and Jack Thompson as Dwarves - rugged, stocky older men - not young, well-built actors - who for that matter aren't very good.
I'd love to place blind trust in Jackson, but this is deeply concerning, I think he's got this completely wrong.
Huan71
...Not very good actors? A tad harsh, surely? The ones i'm familiar with are generally reckoned to be pretty talented guy's ! As for the 'look'...well, i know what you mean. But i'll reserve judgement until after i see the makeup and prosthetics added.
Oct 22 2010, 10:04am
We can't know that until we see them in character in the films.
Pretty good casting! Martin Freeman! Yes! I Like him in Sherlock and I think he's right choice. Other names are still unknown for me.
One Ring to rule them all,
one Ring to find them,
one Ring to bring them all,
and in darkness bind them!
Naur ann adriat ammin!
I have written Gandalf is here in signs that all can read from Rivendell to the mouths of Anduin.
Anteor
"rounding out the company of dwarves"
Does it worry anyone else that there were not thriteen names there for the dwarves? Are we therefore to assume some have been excised?
if more of us valued food and good cheer above gold and jewels. it would be a merrier world.
belba
well im rarther happy i like a lot of the casting and think it will be a good cast.
on a personal basis i love the casting of kili and fili actors as i think they will look the part.
Daisy Gold
I am so overjoyed that Martin Freeman will be Bilbo. He certainly has that Hobbit look. I love his portrayal of Dr. John Watson in Sherlock. I feel he will make an excellent hobbit adventurer.
Richard Armitage is an interesting choice as a dwarf. I have seen him in the TV version of Robin Hood. He gave a strong villainous performance as Guy of Gisborne. He has a romantic look about him too which I would like to see in Thorin.
I DO hope the dwarfs don't all end up looking like Gimlis or Snowwhite's seven friends.
I do not see the reason
to worry. It is said that it is the cast fo several important dwarves, and casting still has not ended. So I think we'll have Balin, Bifur et al.
RaoulJ
Does anybody know where Kangi Ska is?
I miss his posts... Maybe I'm overseeing them, but I'd like to see what his opinion is of these actors. :)
Some sour to the sweet. Just joking, but I liked the selfnamed 'Cynic of the boards'.
jov84
I have always pictured Brian Blessed as a perfect choice for Beorn but...
...now when comparing to Richard Armitage I could see Blessed even as Thorin.
Congratulations :-) //
terrymerry
Martin Freeman must be careful not to overdo ...
Martin Freeman must be careful not to, overdo the Irony aspect of his acting, which is very funny, and should be saved for the more poignant bits in the movie, and maybe little more emotion, to replace the Irony...
Maybe because of the NZ actor hiring freeze?
"rounding out the company of dwarves" Does it worry anyone else that there were not thirteen names there for the dwarves? Are we therefore to assume some have been excised?
PJ and PB said that WB had just asked them to stop hiring NZ actors. Perhaps this is why the list is incomplete?
Suddenly I feel like Robin Williams in Good Morning Vietnam: "Seeing as how the V.P. is such a V.I.P., shouldn't we keep the P.C. on the Q.T.? 'Cause if it leaks to the V.C. he could end up M.I.A., and then we'd all be put out in K.P."
Not really....
I've seen these guys act. Armitage is bland, straight out of the Clive Owen school. Turner was awful in Being Human and that New Romantics thing. And as for Kazinsky, his main role was in Eastenders - need anything else be said? McTavish and the relative unknowns playing the rest of the Dwarves I have no problem with, but the casting of Thorin, Kili and Fili leaves a lot to be desired.
It`s a way to lure the teenage girls, into the Cinema...
It`s a way to lure the teenage girls into the Cinema, sexy dwarfs and the film has got pay the Hollywood toll...
A different opinion
I didn't like Richard Armitage in Robin Hood, but his acting as John Thornton in North And South was anything but bland, and he's quite ambiguous and menacing in Spooks. I had my doubts about Martin Freeman, but then he has impressed me as Dr Watson. Often the actor is hobbled by the quality of the writing and the direction, so one has to hope that PJ brings out the best in all his cast. He managed that for the most part in LotR.
sphdle1
Same goes for me!
Archieal
Does it not worry anyone else that Kili and Fili, who are twins (identical ones at that), don't look very alike? >_> okay, they have a similar jaw line but...
Also, Thorin Oakenshield needs more meat on his bones, as someone else has mentioned.. Though, maybe he'll plump up for the role/have a fat suit on/prosthetics? Christmas is coming up, so I'm sure he can find a way to eat more turkey etc etc. :D
(This post was edited by Archieal on Oct 22 2010, 11:25am)
B.R.n
13 dwarves?too many
I agree.I would actually be content if PJ might cut down some "prop" dwarves.The Fellowship had 9 members and 11 hours of footage to develop.Furthemore, all of Elrond's employees were quite different from one another(race,creed etc.) and they even folowed 4-5 different storylines.
In "The Hobbit" novel we have 13 "Gimlis" that always stay togehter ,going off on the same routes and endurng the same hardships.6-7 dwarves seems reasonable to me.If they are to include the entire pack, then perhaps they could introduce them gradually into the story, prefferably before they reach Rivendell.But I really don't think that PJ&co will go for the "all-inclusive".
P.S.:Mae govannen to all!
(This post was edited by B.R.n on Oct 22 2010, 11:28am)
I'm a guy, too. ;) //
No, I doubt it
One of the biggest dwarves in the book, Balin- and one of the few mentioned in LOTR, including film verse- has yet to be announced. And he will most certainly be in the film.
In the past, Guillermo del Toro said that all dwarves are staying. I see no reason to believe that the statement has changed; the other contracts perhaps have not yet been finalized yet, that's all.
Among the other 5 dwarves, there are still several other parts to be announced... Bard, Beorn, and Thranduil to name some.
And, of course, hearing Saiorse Ronan- the girl in the Lovely Bones- being mentioned in rumors certainly raises some questions about any added female roles...
the_argonath
:o Casting!
Wow this is a lot of names to contend with! I'm glad Martin Freeman is Bilbo though... since his name was mentionned I couldn't think of anyone else more perfect :D
As for the others, I confess I'm not too familiar with them (I've seen Richard Armitage on TV a few times) so I need to gen up. But they know what they're doing, and I'm confident we'll get more news soon about the rest of the dwarves
~*Haudh-en-Ndengin the Elves named it, the Hill of Slain, and Haugh-en-Nirnaeth, the Hill of tears... the earth beneath which the swords of the Eldar and the Edain crumbled into rust*~
Elladan
Oct 22 2010, 12:05pm
Hmm depends what ends up in the film
Elrohir and Elladan, those 2 would not miss out on an assault on Dol Guldur, I would think they would be invovled with the white council as well, certainly if Arwen is there they would be.
Dain? Thrain? Azog? Thror?
TBH I am not sure there will be a voice for Gwaihir, I cant help thinking he will just talk in a language only Gandalf can understand.
and can I just say omg 5 more dwarves yet to be announced, I will never remember them all, and then I shall feel shame.
Incidentaly why do all the American reports say Richard Armitage is in a show called MI-5? Its called Spooks, or does it have a different name in America, if it is even shown there?
Cant imagine what role Saoirse Ronan could play, it would have to have been made up for a start, but if she is the rumoured elf maiden wouldnt she be a bit young to play the role? I cant recall Tolkien mentioning anything about teenage elves, but I always took this to mean they were very much out of the picture untill they were much older.
(This post was edited by Elladan on Oct 22 2010, 12:10pm)
The word spooks has a negative historical connotation in the US. MI5 was chosen as the title for US release. The series is available on DVD and is currently showing on my local PBS station on a weekly basis.
LOTR soundtrack website ~ June 2010 : ROTK Lyrics Update!
magpie avatar gallery ~ Torn Image Posting Guide
Spooks/MI-5
... Incidentaly why do all the American reports say Richard Armitage is in a show called MI-5? Its called Spooks, or does it have a different name in America, if it is even shown there?
Spooks is shown under the name MI-5 in USA
Wheres BoB?
I got the impression that he would be playing a dwarf of some kind, still 6 dwarves to go though, given his recent radio call in I am inclined to believe him when he says he has a part.
I think you need to reread the hobbit.
Actually Kili and Fili are not twins let alone identical, I dont have a copy of LotRs to hand but look up the family trees and you will see one is a few years older than the other.
Incidentaly many other sets of like named dwarves are closely related, some also siblings as far as I can remember, I have to wonder why everyone fixates on these 2.
maybe he is one of the last ones. I don't know what to make of his little clues and his hints that he has a role.
2 weeks ago he said that he was waiting for the greenlight and the call which role he was playing.
He also said that he had an agreement with NewLine, so he can't talk about it.
It would be great if he was in the Hobbit, our own insider.
Still remaining scpetic though
diedye
Aren't they all too young and too thin for these parts?...
Not that I'm complaining or anything... 'cause... Aidan Turner?... ROWWR!!
B-b-but... that means no more BEING HUMAN?!
*whimper*
Blessed are the cracked,
For they are the ones who let in the light!
stuartjames92
Fili and Kili are about 5 years apart in age
It should not be a problem. Where did the idea that they were identical twins come from?
PJ said he was told to stop casting NZers yet he already had 8 cast, so far I count 3 on the list so there are at least 5 more he hasnt announced yet, the real question is does that include imigrants into NZ?
woops
No idea why I thought they where twins then.. I've always had it in my head that they where! Oops!
wel...
Bob isn't a NZ'er, but he lives in NZ. And the order came from WB, probably about the location of the Hobbit. I don't think it's about if you are a 'real' kiwi, but about if you live in New Zealand.
Craig Parker isn't from NZ too? Or did he have something to do with the boycott? I think Haldir would go to the attack of Dol Guldur.
I think Parker spoke out
as a prominant member of NZAE but then I may be getting confused between him and the guy who played Hamling, either way I doubt it will be an issue, PJ and PB already said they it wasnt NZAEs fault that it was a result of the MMAEs involvement so I doubt they would hold a grudge if his part was called for again. TBH I would say it all depends on weather they consider Haldir as a high ranking officer as in the later films or, a border guard as in the books.
Too many dwarves?
I'm of the opinion that it is necessary for Bilbo to be the fourteenth member of the party on the quest. It was the main reason that Gandalf persuaded a sceptical Thorin to accept a hobbit along. One of the key attributes of Bilbo was his luck and preventing an unlucky number forming the party was an important part of that.
Seeing the casting of the dwarves so far, it is obvious that PJ is not wanting to have a troop of Gimli lookalikes in the roles, as it would be impossible to tell them apart, no matter how many there were of them. I thought I'd read that they are trying to give distinctive characters to all the dwarves, so that they could be differentiated. Several of them have already got distinct personalities in the book, so they just have to build on that.
I'd love to see Fry as
Master of Laketown. He would be genius as the overbearing, egotistical Master, and would inject just the right amount of comedy to show that the character is little more than a blowhard without making him into a caricature. Can you just imagine Fry as Master running from the town as Smaug comes roaring down the mountain?
Alassëa Eruvande
It seems a shame he's going to be all covered up in his dwarf prosthetics, too!
And that quote: *swoon*
And suddenly the Tornadoes saw afar off a greenlight, as it were a cloud with a living heart of flame;
and they knew that this was no vision only, but that PJ had made a new thing: The Hobbit, the Film that Is.
I think Bill Nighy would be excellent
The creature Smaug is scary, but remember that the voice is smooth and seductive. Bilbo has to be very careful in talking with Smaug to avoid falling into a trap. Nighy has the perfect voice for Smaug. There are other actors who would do as well, of course, but if Nighy is announced as Smaug I would be very happy.
NottaSackville
Nice to know that PJ is providing you with new material
Now that Mr. Boromir has passed the half-century mark...
Notta
Thank you! //
I couldn't remember if it was you or Patty
but when I first heard of Martin Freeman I was in full agreement - he will be a great Bilbo.
ROWWR!! is right!
I'm looking forward to all the EI threads in the future!
Rather doubt it
With such a huge cast it seems unlikely to me that they would announce all at once. Start with some names, get the fans all excited, then give them a new one now and then, that keeps them happy, busy and gossiping
Plus, with all the drama about the Hobbit staying or moving offshore I'd think that Peter and his crew do have other problems to solve first and will let the casting rest until the situation with Warner has been cleared up. So don't worry, there's still a lot of time until filming starts and lots of time to announce more actors.
HEY! Once a man of Gondor...
... always a man of Gondor...
And some things just get better with age...
flodwyns
Richard Armitage too young?
Richard Armitage has a beautiful voice......often described as deep, warm and earthy and he is much sought after for voiceovers, adverts and audiobooks......you can find sound-bites on most of his fan sites. His singing voice is a mellow baritone too.
For his role in Strike Back earlier this year he trained hard with former SAS personnel and has quite a muscular physique. Anything else can be achieved with padding!
I'm a huge fan of his and I think he will be brilliant as Thorin.
He said yesterday that he'll be away from his computer for four days.
deej
No Bill Bailey?
I was really hoping to see his name on the cast list; he'd make a great Dwarf! Perhaps we still will.
But HURRAY! for Martin Freeman as Bilbo, and excited to see Aiden Turner on the list; he may replace Orlando as Hottest Elf.
TEAM MARTIN!
Oh thanks...
Didn't know that. Do you know why?
I'm dubbing him Bigwit.
Bilbo is great....who is that?!?!
Orlando had better watch out.
With prosthetics and a beard on? I doubt it.
excited to see Aiden Turner on the list; he may replace Orlando as Hottest Elf.
No, no idea, I just accidentally remembered seeing this post and went googling to be certain it *was* Kangi who said that. That's all I know.
dernwyn
*gets bottle of bubbly miruvor out of cooler*
*pops cork* Congratulations!
My apologies - with so much posting going on, I should be keeping better track of everyone, at this rate half the Board is going to reach Tol Eressea before too long!
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
"It struck me last night that you might write a fearfully good romantic drama, with as much of the 'supernatural' as you cared to introduce. Have you ever thought of it?"
-Geoffrey B. Smith, letter to JRR Tolkien, 1915
*raises glass* Cheers!
Thank you, Dernie!
No need to apologise, usually I tend to overlook it myself. And at the moment we all have other worries than that
Yeah, it will be quite crowded over there. And the other ones who have already reached the shores of Valinor are immortal by then
All this drooling... //
I suggested his name almost two years ago after seeing him as "Stelios" in 300. Then he went on to steal every scene he was in, in "Inglorious Basterds", he was awesome in "Centurion" and Oscar-worthy in "Hunger". He is now playing Carl Jung in a David Cronenberg movie, in which Viggo plays Sigmund Freud.
I hope with all my heart he gets cast as Bard, Glorfindel or Thranduil. He's one of the best actors of his generation.
As to Richard Armitage, I also think he's very young but I've never seen him act so I can't really give an opinion on him. Besides, I promised not to judge casting ever again before seeing a movie after hating Chris Nolan for choosing Heath Ledger to play the Joker and PJ for casting a bland-blonde guy, who I had seen in that Sandra Bullock romantic comedy as Aragorn. Obviously, I don't need to say how wrong I was.
Also, just saw a picture of Armitage at Aint it Cool News and I can see something of Thorin in him
Ah, and by the way, Martin Freeman is awesome
Please, give us back Glorfindel!!!
(This post was edited by Empedocles on Oct 22 2010, 2:08pm)
Attachments: HobbitRichardArmitage.jpg (32.7 KB)
Eruthurin
Totally puzzled too!
Yeah Compa... it's so odd...! so many pretty faces for dwarves...!
:: All you have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to you ::
Armitage is a Tolkein fan!
I found a small mention on one of his fan sites, but the reference link was wrong, so an hour later, after searching through a million other articles, I found it: http://vulpeslibris.wordpress.com/2009/07/08/in-conversation-with-richard-armitage/
It's quite interesting to see how he really reads around his characters, but specifically he read LOTR and TH as a child and says "The Lord of the Rings: the best adventure novel for a 12-year-old boy. A 'road movie'. I was playing one of the Elves in a school play at the time (researching even back then)."
I think he'll be great as Thorin (never mind that he is total eye candy ), but I'm even more convinced now that PJ has seen something about him that will make him perfect.
Yes, to this//
There was a rumor he may be playing 2 roles...
not only a Dwarf, but an Elven King as well.
Ethel Duath
Now *that* made my day!
I grew up with rope swings, and that would have been my dream come true!!
I think he'll do great as *any* dwarf, and from what I can see, I'm going to enjoy watching ol' Bombur very much!
True - with all his Numenorian blood, he should be good to a least 75... //
I picked up in this as well
I remember reading about his love of Tolkien as well as using Mac computers a while ago. I thought then that he was obviously a man with tremendous taste and talent. PJ has obviously seen the same and it has formed a big part of his casting choices.
No, I was the one who wanted Hugh Bonneville. But Freeman was my second choice!
However, it's going to take quite a bit for me to get behind the choice of Richard Armitage in that role. I know my advanced age is working against me, but I see much of this casting as skewing younger than I would have thought from reading the book.
I love Bill Nighy, and it would be some kind of "coming home", as he voiced Sam in the wonderful LotR audio dramatization. But I think now I'll be hearing Davey Jones.
His voice is beautiful.
But actually, if I may use this word on a family board, I find it SEXY. Not commanding. I would have preferred a deep voice of the tembor of Brian Blessed (although he himself is too old for the role.)
Well, he has mentioned before that he works weird hours.
So maybe he's just at work.
I'm interested in his take on these actors, too!
Lord Maegmoth
Positive News.
Something positive to muse about, after all the utter negativity during the past few days.
Martin Freeman as BB was to be expected, so no surprises there as far as that casting choice would be concerned. Look forward to seeing how he shall tackle the role, in light of his rather intriguing depiction of Dr. Watson.
I find the casting of Richard Armitage as Thorin to be utterly inspiring. As many on these forums had postulated whenever his name was mentioned, I would have pencilled him in as Bard as far as a role in the Hobbit would be concerned, therefore this would be completely unexpected, but in a positive sense. As an actor, I regard him as extremely capable, and would very much be anticipating his depiction of the venerable Dwarf.
What, no Bill Bailey as Gloin? Oh well, perhaps he shall portray one of the trolls.
I would be familiar with Aidan Turner through Desperate Romantics, but little else; but based upon his portrayal of Rossetti, he appears to possess the necessary abilities in the acting department to assuage any dollop of scepticism I might have.
Never really heard of any of the other chaps, not even slightly familiar with them. Similar scenario to LOTR, really.
Kudos Sir PJ (and GDT).
(This post was edited by Lord Maegmoth on Oct 22 2010, 2:52pm)
lol... fantastic! //
I think he works for the public school system here
and all of Minnesota's teachers have the last few days of this week off for a professional conference.
Since the kids are out of school, lots of families take a long weekend and travel. Public school employees do the same. Apparently this is a larger travel day for Minnesota than Thanksgiving and Christmas.
My guess is, this is what KS has done.
Zherkezhi
Inofficial movie poster
just wanted to share with you my personal take on a movie poster for "The Hobbit". It is still early WIP, so don't get that excited!
http://zherkezhi.deviantart.com/art/The-Hobbit-WIP-183521738
I wondered how Armitage could possibly look like as Thorin. Now I get an idea of it.. ;)
Zherkezhi/Matthias
(This post was edited by Zherkezhi on Oct 22 2010, 3:14pm)
My gut is telling me the same thing
I was not expecting to see such young, thin faces.
I do hope they can pull it off. However, I will keep an open mind...
No American actors?
While I think that Tolkien's work is very British and I would not be happy with an American filming location or an all-American cast & crew, I think one of two Americans amongst the cast wouldn't do too much harm. Remember Viggo? That worked out pretty well.
I want Ron Perlman for Beorn. He's an unusual choice (the sort of actor that pops into your mind for the role immediately is more like Brian Blessed), but I think he would also be a great fit and give a very memorable performance.
The lucky number
One of the main reasons that Bilbo became part of the company of dwarves because he was the 14th member.
Bilbo can't become the lucky number if there are fewer than 13 dwarves.
Usually that kind of tactic is used with known actors.//
R4W13Y
Incredibly exciting news!!!
I nearly screamed when I read the announcements last night!
Martin Freeman as Bilbo is an absolute dream come true like many of you here, he was the first one that popped into my head when The Hobbit was announced!! I love that he was the favorite amongst us fans and here he is as Bilbo finally! I am so happy!
As for Armitage..
I know he was a perfect choice for Bard. But think about it this way. Perhaps Peter listened to us and brought him in for Bard. Perhaps in his audition he blew Peter and co. away and they saw how amazing he would be for Thorin instead! I am very happy about this choice because I can just imagine what it means for Thorin! Yes, someone older might have been nice, but it's comforting to me to think of this scenario in which he was just too perfect for Thorin to be cast as anything else!!
The rest are amazing too largely unknown to me, yet I love the looks and trust Peter's decisions! He hasn't been wrong for me before, and I am very hopeful that he won't this time with such an important and wonderful movie with a lot at stake!
Can't wait for more and more announcements, then pictures, then videos, then teasers, and trailers, and the movie!!
shadowdog
I was thinking the same
I think Bill Nighy - I think Davy Jones and tenticles.
Still rooting for Tom Waits as one of the Dwarves...
Here's a sample of the voice. He is a musician/actor for those who don't.
Just think he would inject a dry sense of humor and has a really unique voice.
http://www.youtube.com/...&feature=channel
(This post was edited by Owain on Oct 22 2010, 4:08pm)
Why does everyone want
"old" is it because of the beards? It just seems everyone wants short stocky 40-50 somethings, lets face it there are a finite number of actors who meet those criteria and they would then all look the same. I cant help thinking that the image of dwarf is so ingrained into our minds as short stocky and with a massive beard that we would end up with Bilbo and a small army of clones if we were to get what we expected.
Secondly the dwarves arent old, thier ages range from what I percieve as mid 20s (Kili and Fili) to late 50s (Dwalin) with most of the others some where in between. Also once behind a beard there wont be much left to show thier actual age.
Anduril1993
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
I hope this guy can pull it off!!!!!!!!!!!!!
All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
From the ashes a fire shal be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
Prosthetics, appliances, costumes -- ACTING...
...Can do wonders.
Brett Beatty (who was Rhys-Davies' Gimli scale-double) was quite young, and athletically built. When in costume -- thanks to all the craftspeople that helped shape his character's look -- he looked exactly like the big Gimli.
And, of course, the actor's performance can so change their look, to be shockingly incongruous with how they look in real-life. IMDb headshots are deceiving.
A lot of drooling around here for the "hot" male actors I see... //
anyone else think
Alan Rickman would make a good Smaug?
Zizix
Casting news! Yay!
I'm very very happy with Martin Freeman as Bilbo. Don't know any of the others so I can't really say anything about them, but looking up Richard Armitage, casting him as Thorin seems like casting Stuart Townsend as Aragorn to me.
Meanwhile I'm still hoping Brian Blessed gets at least some role in the films.
So apparently I think dwarves are hot
I saw some vids of Richard Armitage from Robin Hood and yes he is gonna be a perfect Thorin, PERFECT
I'll be in my bunk.
N.E. Brigand
No it's not.
Inglorious Basterds (yes it's spelled like that in the film)
You forgot a U. The title is Inglourious Basterds. Tarantino* chose to misspell both words.
*Speaking of spellings, a favorite remark on Pulp Fiction, from a review by John Simon, who didn't like it: "Tarantino" is an anagram for "tarnation".
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Discuss Tolkien's life and works in the Reading Room!
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How to find old Reading Room discussions.
Indeed. You suggested Freeman more than five years ago.
I can't find the original post, but Scout was crediting you with the idea in June 2005.
Thanks to greendragon, I figured out there is an Aidan Turner and Aiden Turner are 2 different actors
Aidan Turner of Being Human is playing Kili , and Aiden Turner (from 'All My Children' and 'Eastenders') looks to be the Elf King.
A bit confusing, no?
For people who are worried...
That the cast are too young or pretty (to be a Dwarf) - you gotta remember how much of thier faces are going to be covered in prostetics..
Also I think that the life span of a Dwalf is longer than a humans so we can't realy judge how young the actor is comparable to the character they are playing.. time will tell. Plus it's not like Jacksons perfect at casting *cough - stewart townsend- *cough...
Tending to agree
The praise for Fassbender around here is winning me over. When I think back over the few roles I've seen him in, he does have a sort of half-mad, confident underpinning that could really work for Bard. Plus as others rightly say, he's not too hard on the eyes either.
I officially abandon all other bids and give Fassbender my full support. There, now he's sure to get the part.
I did at that and stand corrected.//
Now there's some good timing for you.
A bit relieved to hear that though... was a little worried by his sudden (and uncommon) silence. Thanks PL.
*eyes darting back and forth* I knew that
Sorry about that. Every so often around here, someone assigns the wrong gender to someone else. Usually it's girls being called guys though. Since I learned that women far outnumber men a TORn (TORn be a femine site don't cha know?) my default assumption is that I am speaking with women most times.
Right then, how bout those Knicks?
(This post was edited by SirDennisC on Oct 22 2010, 6:10pm)
Captain Salt
A bit dissapointed...
I'm thrilled to finally have some officially-cast actors, but I really wanted Brian Cox for Thorin...all well. Hopefully, he might still pop up somewhere.
As for the rest of the announced cast, none of the other Dwarves were going to be "name" actors, seeing as they exist more as a group than individuals and are fairly interchangeable. Also, with the exception of Elijah Wood, (who was a child actor in the 90's), and Liv Tyler, none of LotR's cast were "names", either; almost the entire cast were "unknown", or hard-working character actors who'd been around for years, but hadn't really gotten any exposure.
Just to speculate on the other names mentioned:
David Tennant: Thranduil, or Drogo? He does look a bit like Elijah...they both have pointy frying-pan faces with bulbous beaks and beady little eyes!
Michael Fassbender: Bard the Bowman, or Beorn?
Jimmy Nesbit: Bard the Bowman, or Balin?
Saoirse Ronan: Primula Brandybuck? She has a Hobbity-lass quality about her.
Stephen Fry: Master of Laketown?
Also, seeing as I've read elsewhere that a LotR cast-member has been cast as Smaug, I wouldn't bet against John Rhys-Davies. I'd have loved Max von Sydow, however.
Samuel L. Jackson for Bilbo, Woody Allen for Thorin, Lewis Black for Bard and Gilbert Gottfried for Smaug!
MAKE IT HAPPEN, PETER!!!
Really? That's interesting
The insider on that site which has been right on everything so far said the same - "you've heard his name in LOTR, twice"
I said earlier that I think this is Alan Howard (voice of the Ring, heard twice in LOTR). And I still think so.
Where did you hear that? He'd be terrific to voice Smaug -- that man has an amazing voice! He played a huge part in making the Ring a living character with his Sauron black speech.
Some guy on Reddit,
who made unsubstantiated claims that he was involved in the production, said that Smaug would be voiced by someone whose voice we had already heard twice in The Lord of the Rings. That narrows it down to John Rhys-Davies and Alan Howard, assuming this fellow is legitimate.
http://www.reddit.com/...rking_on_the_hobbit/
Heard his name, not his voice....
Heard his voice, not his name... //
I mean:
ThunderDan
Dwarf ages
Elladan, I'm not sure if you meant actual ages or their apparent ages - as in by comparison to a human of and their typical lifespan, but here are the dwarf ages that we know at the beginning of their quest:
Thorin: 195 years old
Balin 178 years old
Dwalin: 169 years old
Gloin: 158 years old
Fili: 82 years old
Kili 77 years old
Now Fili and Kili were the youngest by some 50 years, so everybody else had to be at least 132 years old. Gimli was 62 years old at the time and deemed too young to go along on the trip (though he wanted to). Now if you mean in comparison to a human life cycle then sure Fili and Kili would be sort of like a 20 something and the oldest dwarves would be like 50 something.
All that being said, I agree that the ample amount of costume and prosthesis they will be wearing will make them whatever age they need to be. I think as others have suggested younger actors are being chosen partly because lugging around all those heavy costumes and prosthesis - not to mention battling orcs and goblins in said arraignment can take its toll on the actor.
Funny, I see the Smaug voice as the lynchpin of all the casting...
All the casting choices are critically important, but for some reason I feel Smaug is the one they must get 100% dead-on right.
He's got the spirit for Bombur, hasn't he?
Tangential fact: This ad just won a people's vote award for favourite TV ad of the year. (Otherwise I would never have recognised our new Bombur!)
But PJ did cast older actors for some of the dwarves.
Thorin is supposed to be one of the older (not necessarily the oldest) of the bunch, yet he cast someone who isn't even 40 yet while some of the other actors are around 50, maybe even over 50 (didn't check it out).
Like i said, make up can make you older but then there's also the voice. People sound different when they are older. Why going to the trouble of making one older instead of just casting an older person? Maybe Thorin in the movie will be younger than he was portrayed in the book?
I think as others have suggested younger actors are being chosen partly because lugging around all those heavy costumes and prosthesis - not to mention battling orcs and goblins in said arraignment can take its toll on the actor.
(This post was edited by Estel78 on Oct 22 2010, 7:18pm)
Also, at AICN Xoanon stated regarding Smaug:
"Apparently someone familiar with the LOTR 'family' is doing that role..dunno who...I think they meant LOTR Movie 'family'"...
(This post was edited by Captain Salt on Oct 22 2010, 7:28pm)
They may digitally alter his voice. //
yes, it was a typo of me:
Heard his voice twice. That's the correct statement, of course
And Flagg, I actually think the odds are that this guy is close to the production. He's been right on all accounts so far (PJ directing and when he was to be announced, 3D, Itaril (looks like it) and he seemed credible to me. Also Alan Howard is a great call for the voice of Smaug. Who did not think his voice for the ring was great?
Again, why going to the trouble of aging a younger person to the point of making him unrecognisable?
No disrespect to Richard Armitage but there are surely older actors around that could have done a similarly good job, if they were really going for a Gimli like appearance.
I think he's probably the real deal,
but I'm not entirely convinced. Everyone knew that Jackson was probably directing, and (I'm not sure about this) didn't the 3D news get leaked before the guy on Reddit reported it? And didn't Bond-Of-Blood previously report on the elf-wench? The Reddit spy certainly sounds legitimate but it could also just be a person coming out with really specific and unfalsifiable pieces of information. For example, he said that Peter took issue with an aspect of Guillermo's Lake Town design and planned to change it. This makes him sound like he's intimately familiar with the production, but he could easily be making it up. And we might not find out for another two or three years. And I'm not sure what the situation is on inside information, but aren't actors and technicians and so on meant to agree not to share this sort of information? And aren't there repercussions if they do?
I'm not certain. But if Alan Howard gets announced as the voice of Smaug (or any other specific piece of information this guy gave us that we hadn't heard rumoured previously gets confirmed), then I'll be convinced.
Probably because PJ was so impressed by this guy's audition //
He isn't "that young" :)
To be fair 39 isn't that young. I have no idea how good of an actor he is or how he will fill the role (but his iMdb photo shows a lot of intensity) - but if you check out some clips floating around of him he does have a pretty deep voice. Remember too that of all the dwarves Thorin will probably be involved in the most battle scenes which require a person in great shape. Some of the older actors cast as dwarves may not be as active (in terms of movement, fighting, etc) in the movie.
I really do trust Peter Jackson when it comes to casting - the LOTR rings were cast so perfectly IMO. And he isn't afraid to make a change if it comes to it - like replacing the actor playing Aragorn with Viggo because he was too young (after filming had already started). So if when the performance starts it really became an issue I know Peter would find a way to make it right.
Glad I accidentally remembered that post and could help.
(Though I'd like to know why my brain is able to memorise such irrelevant details, but keeps forgetting much more important stuff )
Anyway, Kangi will not be happy to miss all that.
I don't know but
they did it to Mr. Rhys-Davies and I would be with you (probably) in saying he didn't need all that stuff on his face either.
Maybe they want younger guys who can move a bit faster underneath all that stuff - I would say that's a valid concern. *shrugs*
Jettorex
After a long time without much to talk about-open the flood gates! WOOHOOO!!!
- "I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve."
Treebeard: Break the dam! Release the river! //
Exactly how I felt!
I have this mental picture of desperate tornsibs clinging to a giant screen door . . . (Somebody take a picture, quick! )
Oh, thanks for that!
I was sure it was at least four years, but not sure just how long.
Rumours, not announcement
Can we stop talking about this bout of rumours as if they're official? While i have a niggling fear that this article may be true, i seriously doubt it, declaring information that is just completely out of left-field and also thus far completely unsupported by anything we have heard so far.
For a start this is a mere article from a single site- it is not a press release or even properly an interview (the quotes erroneously attributed to Peter Jackson are not necessarily real- any hack looking to make a big story could make those up). Certainly i would expect at least the announcement of the now inevitable Martin Freeman in the title role to get something a bit more ceremonious than a dodgy 'confirmation' on a site most people haven't heard of until today (lets face it, it's no Empire magazine). I actually deplore Xoanan for attributing such weight to something so unlikely when theonering.net usually has very good sources providing fair warning of imminent announcements. Perhaps he is merely trying to stir the quagmire of The Hobbit's development in the absence of any real news.
Also on the matter of press releases- we still haven't heard for certain, beyond any doubt, that the crucial members of the returning cast are now fully signed up. I would imagine that Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis and Hugo Weaving at least have been patiently waiting for their newly updated contracts to sign, and it is those that i imagine will be the first formally announced.
In regard to these rumours, well frankly i just don't buy it. While there is an argument that being dwarves you can cast younger actors and swamp them with prosthetics so you never know the difference, and yes, younger people would find the fight scenes easier, I don't think either the casting directors or studio would take the risk of going all daring with their casting choices when the established formula and fan expectations are based on actors of stocky physique and 50+. When it worked so well with John Rhys Davies, why change?
Another interesting snippet concerns the Hobbit's former director, who in an interview with the Times in England a couple of weeks ago claimed he had had his eye on Ian McShane who 'would make the most perfect dwarf', plainly Guillermo was not predicting a wild new direction for the dwarves (though as with all the best casting choices, he sidestepped the obvious candidates).
While it's almost probable that not all the big 'dwarf names' like Brian Cox, Brian Blessed, Brendan Gleeson, James Cosmo and the like will be in this one film, I would be genuinely suprised if the dwarves weren't cast from people of that ilk and generation. Type-casting has such a horrible stigma, and perhaps in an alternative production Richard Armitage and those rumoured could try playing 20 years over their age, but it just doesn't ring true to me for The Hobbit- there's too much at stake to risk messing with the formula.
I apologise that this post sounds so angry and arrogant, but i just want to stop the rot. Perhaps these actors were considered for The Hobbit but i certainly doubt in the roles they are listed here- i take the view that until an official announcement is made this particular rumour should be treated with the utmost suspicion.
....Besides, i wanted Colin Firth for Bilbo anyway
^^ Um...this IS official...
Hence PJ's remarks about casting Freeman, Armitage and the others...
And hence my remarks about how it could just be made up- i mean come on, do you believe everything you read in the papers?
Theodred
What about:
Craig Parker? He could again play Haldir. Because he's an elf, it would be possible to see him also in TH
Orlando Bloom? As Legolas, he's ofcourse also an elf, so it's possible to see him in TH
Doug Jones? When Guillermo was the director, he seemed sure to get a part in TH. Will PJ keep that promise in mind and give him a role?
Ron Perlman? The same for him. Is he still granted a role in TH?
Bill Bailey? He has auditioned and seems very eager to play a part in TH, but will he get one?
Billy Boyd/Elijah Wood/Dominic Monaghan? They all seems eager to return as the fathers of the characters they played in LOtR
Guillermo del Toro himself? Althought he's not involved in TH anymore as he withdrawed, is he still willing to play a part in TH when they would ask him as some kind of tribute for all the work he has done? He has said earlier this year he would play a part in TH, have a line or two and then die quickly, if I recall it correctly.
Liv Tyler? She could be around when we see Hugo Weaving as Elrond in TH
Besides that, imo Brad Garrett would be perfect as the voice of Smaug, as I've already said earlier in a previous post, because of his deep, low voice and his experience in voice acting.
http://dehobbithyve.hyves.nl/
(This post was edited by Theodred on Oct 22 2010, 9:31pm)
DrDeath, yes, they fabricated a false announcement and several paragraphs of quotes from Peter...
Get ready to see these guys on the big screen come December 2012.
thats fair enough.
..i'm ok with us disagreeing on what is a good or bad acting performance if you are!
BTW...what are some of your fave performances ever?
DrDeath:
Check out this article. The casting announcements were made by New Line president Toby Emmerich, et al. Reporter Mike Fleming of Deadline is a highly credible source.
http://www.deadline.com/...ames-for-the-hobbit/
Still, we've been continually burned by false Hobbit leads over the last six months, so I can certainly understand your skepticism, but this one looks entirely genuine.
Snaga
Try to reserve judgement until you seem them in costume and prosthetics. By now WETA has perfected their art and can probably make a willow wand look like a dwarf.
I'm so thrilled to see they cast this one the same as last time. Lots of relative unknowns in there. I can't wait to see the performances PJ squeezes out of them.
And before you give up on Armitage as Thorin try giving his bio a look see and get to know him a bit. Remember Thorin was an older dwarf but hale, no dottering old guy that could hardly move. That's why it's called acting.
You are quite right
I came late to this thread so it seems all I get to do is skim through and agree with people.
There just has to be thirteen dwarves. Bilbo was chosen because he was the lucky number, and I have to say that while reading this book in my youth I found the image of thirteen pointy dwarf hoods bobbing along the trail with a big statuesque Gandalf in train to be incredibly charming. Even if there aren't lines for half of them they can carry their loads as characters with looks of fear, amusement and concern (to name a few) at the appropriate times while one of the major characters engages in dialogue.
I mean, think of them trying to pull of the scene with the introductions to Beorn with only 7 dwarfs. Pshaw!
Not sure what you're implying
This is an official statement by the CEO of New Line and others. Got some conspiracy theory?
No conspiracy theory, just skepticism
It's not a conspiracy theory- i'm just exercising some healthy skepticism when faced with nothing more than a single site jumping on the desperate desire for Hobbit casting news. I don't mean to sound sanctimonious, and i accept that i may have to eat humble pie, but again- why no 'formal' announcement- why just this one site with no real reputation? I mean if it had come from theonering.net itself it would have had more creedance, this being a practically official affiliate of the LotR films, but this isn't the kind of news that just 'slips out' in an interview, and just because it claim's to quote Peter Jackson and all these executives- it even says there was an announcement- where though? Have our spies been completely blind to such a critical development that they were taken unawares by some other site?
I mean i know some news is better than no news, but i just think this is a media invention and until i hear with all the pomp and ceremony that came with the greenlight that these people are involved in the roles they are attributed to then i'm not really going to buy it.
I would also appreciate if people would give legitimate counter arguments to my own rather than just ignoring them out of blind enthusiasm
I'm pretty sure
that Jackson or Warners would have come out with an official statement by now explaining that the press release was fake if that was the case.
doesn't put news like that on its front page without confirming through its own sources. The press release is legitimate.
He'd be absolutely fantastic...
as would Jeremy Irons.
I may be misremembering...
but I seem to recall reading that there were other issues with Stuart Townsend than his age. I'm thinking he wasn't coming across as the "team player" that is so desperately needed on a long shot like LotR. Ah, but I may be wrong. When you've been on the boards as long as I have, it begins to be hard to remember what was fact and what was rumor, if you even knew for sure at the time.
I remain skeptical
Likewise wouldn't they have come out with something truly official?
Equally so have Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis and Hugo Weaving but time and time again they've had to say that the contract still hasn't been signed. I mean we even had it from Guillermo that Hugo Weaving was on board and yet he denied it. If you can't trust the (then) director's own word, who can you trust? There's been no word from the actors themselves confirming their involvement or even that they'd been approached- there was more in the way of evidence for that other Robin Hood guy (the one who played Archer) than for Richard Armitage. But other than some alleged 'quotes' (which i for one am highly suspicious of the validity of) from this single article (which has been repeated ad-infinitum across the net granted), we have nothing. I don't know, maybe i'm in denial, but between the choices, the source and the context, something is not adding up- do you really think that Peter Jackson would be making a casting announcement the morning that he's at his wit's end with union action and having to fight studio and politics alike to secure New Zealand as the base? Not only that but that this announcement would not be made even on New Zealand national television (with perhaps the purpose of calming the situation there and reassuring the investors in the industry) but to a half-baked hollywood rumour site in the deepest reaches of the internet?
I want casting news as much as the next person (though granted i don't want the 'news' we've supposedly got ) but it strikes me as just..... unlikely that this is it. Time will tell i suppose but does no-one out there see my point?
And Serkis!
...I forgot that Andy Serkis did the voice for the Witch-king in addition to Gollum. That makes him, Alan Howard and John Rhys-Davies the three possibilites for Smaug, according to Mr Reddit.
Stopgap PR Press Release
As someone else mentioned in another thread, this looks like it was a hastily thrown together end of the week press release by Warner (to help stave off some of the bad vibe from the New Zealand situation). Something to give the fans (and investors) confidence.
The fact that all the studio head names, and Peter Jackson, are attached to this announcement -- plus the fact it was released to all the major Hollywood trade mags (Variety, Hollywood Reporter, Deadline) really lends this a lot of credence.
And, of course, there are a lot more major parts to be cast, so this first announcement is only a teaser of sorts.
That would make more sense
As a stop-gap press release i would think this would make more sense. Personally i don't doubt that Richard Armitage, Rob Kazinsky and Aiden Turner auditioned, and received callbacks but for the parts listed- nah, it just doesn't seem plausible. The latest news on this site seems to support my assertation- the now pretty much confirmed Sylvester McCoy hasn't signed his contract, and Mark Hadlow does not confirm in the quotes given that he has been cast in any specific part, though he has had callbacks for four different parts (my guesses are one of them isn't Bard). I would suspect that parts assigned to the younger three are merely 'placeholders' for the benefit of studios and worried investors (who in all probably have no idea who the characters are) and that come the time for the proper 'reveal' we'll be looking at a wholly different Thorin Fili and Kili.
I can hope i suppose.
I think you're right, Patty
although the "official" reason was Townsend was too young, there were a few off-the-record comments made that he would not practice with the sword-master and was not a good team player.
Bestica
Mmmm- I don't care, as long as he's in it! This takes me back...
to circa 2004 when I was first introduced to the wonderful smolder of Mr. Armitage via North and South which I discovered thanks to all you wonderful people here at TORn! I have to say, I am eternally grateful for that.
It IS surprising that they cast him as any of the dwarves, but I'm sure he'll do a wonderful job. I have complete and utter trust and only optimism for all of the other casting.
SO PUMPED!!!!!!
"The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
And miles to go before I sleep"
Nov 2 2010, 7:40pm
A better picture of John Callen
I found another pic of John Callen...