Just bumping this thread up to clarify some things. The reason this is being made into two films, is because they are making two distinct separate films. The first is " The Hobbit ", the second film has always been spoken about as " the bridge film ", no title has been given to it ....yet. In this bridge film, they will show Gollums escape, the hunt for him, and Gandalf and the fight in Dol Guldur, and will tie it in to the beginning of Fellowship of the Ring.
So, they are not really adding things to The Hobbit, but adding in many many details and story lines from the appendices and other writings of Tolkien to bridge the films together.
Peter Jackson confirms Ian Holms return for The Hobbit:
"Though Martin Freeman will be playing the younger version of Bilbo Baggins in the upcoming two-part production of The Hobbit, Peter Jackson has confirmed today that the original Lord of the Rings trilogy's version of the Bag End resident will be back as well.
The writer/director posted the following on his Facebook page:
One comment that came up from the recent video blog was the Bilbo voice at the end—many of you assumed it was Sir Ian Holm. Whilst Ian will be returning as the older Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit, that recording was actually Martin Freeman's voice, taken from a script read through we recorded when the cast first arrived. I have to admit, I wasn't sure who it was when I first heard it, either. Cheers, Peter J
Holm will join the enormous cast that already includes, in addition to Freeman, Andy Serkis, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Rob Kazinsky, Aidan Turner, Graham McTavish, John Callen, Stephen Hunter, Mark Hadlow, Peter Hambleton, James Nesbitt, Adam Brown, Cate Blanchett, Ken Stott, Sylvester McCoy, Mikael Persbrandt, Ryan Gage, Jed Brophy, William Kircher, Saoirse Ronan, Elijah Wood and Bret McKenzie.
The first film is entering production now with a tentative release date of December, 2012.
"10 years on, I’m thrilled to be working with Orlando again. I look older – he doesn’t! Orlando created an iconic character with his portrayal of Legolas, and we’re excited to be revisiting Middle Earth with him once more."
Yikes! I can finally get back to some postings! We've finished our first block of shooting and moved straight into location scouting. More on that soon... But today, I'm thrilled to announce two new cast members who will be joining us for our second block of shooting.
Evangeline Lilly will be playing a new character—the Woodland Elf, Tauriel. Her name means 'daughter of Mirkwood' and, beyond that, we must leave you guessing! (No, there is no romantic connection to Legolas.) What is not a secret is how talented and compelling an actress Evangeline is; we are thrilled and excited she will be the one to bring our first true Sylvan Elf to life.
I'm also highly excited that Barry Humphries will be portraying the Goblin King, in much the way Andy Serkis created Gollum. Barry is perhaps best known for his business and social connections as the long-time manager of Dame Edna Everage. He has also been an ardent supporter of the rather misunderstood and unfairly maligned Australian politician, Sir Les Patterson. However, in his spare time, Barry is also a fine actor, and we're looking forward to seeing him invest the Goblin King with the delicate sensitivity and emotional depth this character deserves.
Evangeline and Barry, along with Welsh actor Luke Evans as Bard and Benedict Cumberbatch as Smaug, just about rounds out the major casting. I cannot wait to get stuck into these new scenes!
More soon, including a flurry of answers to your questions. Sorry for the delay!
I was really surprised when I saw her name. Never expected to see her in Middle-Earth. Evangeline is a good and beautiful actress, so I don't have any problems with this
Comments
Middle-Earth is Europe in a Mythical Mid-History?
Shire = England?
omg this cooL!
Mysterious thing time.
Lord Stafford.
Lord Stafford.
Peter Jackson confirms Ian Holms return for The Hobbit:
"Though Martin Freeman will be playing the younger version of Bilbo Baggins in the upcoming two-part production of The Hobbit, Peter Jackson has confirmed today that the original Lord of the Rings trilogy's version of the Bag End resident will be back as well.
The writer/director posted the following on his Facebook page:
One comment that came up from the recent video blog was the Bilbo voice at the end—many of you assumed it was Sir Ian Holm. Whilst Ian will be returning as the older Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit, that recording was actually Martin Freeman's voice, taken from a script read through we recorded when the cast first arrived. I have to admit, I wasn't sure who it was when I first heard it, either. Cheers, Peter J
Holm will join the enormous cast that already includes, in addition to Freeman, Andy Serkis, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Rob Kazinsky, Aidan Turner, Graham McTavish, John Callen, Stephen Hunter, Mark Hadlow, Peter Hambleton, James Nesbitt, Adam Brown, Cate Blanchett, Ken Stott, Sylvester McCoy, Mikael Persbrandt, Ryan Gage, Jed Brophy, William Kircher, Saoirse Ronan, Elijah Wood and Bret McKenzie.
The first film is entering production now with a tentative release date of December, 2012.
Read more: Ian Holm to Return for The Hobbit - ComingSoon.net http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=76779#ixzz1KIdd9v5j"
http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2011/04/30/44027-fili-and-thranduil-casting-announced-on-facebook/
Mysterious thing time.
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/news/a320362/stephen-fry-joins-cast-of-the-hobbit.html
Makes me a little sad he wasn't in one of the Harry Potter films.
http://www.facebook.com/notes/the-hobbit/orlando-bloom-joins-the-cast-of-the-hobbit/205391369496476
"10 years on, I’m thrilled to be working with Orlando again. I look older – he doesn’t! Orlando created an iconic character with his portrayal of Legolas, and we’re excited to be revisiting Middle Earth with him once more."
http://www.facebook.com/notes/peter-jackson/the-hobbit-casting-update/10150286515141558
Dang Cad, you beat me too it.
http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20504849,00.html#20980350 Go to the second pic.
Bilbo's look reminds me of a mix between Merry and Frodo, which is quite fitting as he's related to both.
Lord Stafford.
http://c181321.r21.cf0.rackcdn.com/PHAk8SgRwRryEC_1_m.jpg
http://c181321.r21.cf0.rackcdn.com/PHeYzuGtGTI1ii_1_m.jpg
Lord Stafford.