SPOILER!!! Hobbit Casting Details!

[Elwen]

SpoilerTV has details about the casting call for The Hobbit. We find out which characters they are planning to cast, and what sort of look they have in mind.

Read the article here --- UPDATE (doubts about the veracity of this source).

• Bilbo: an actor between 25 and 35. We'll also see Frodo's parents, Drogo and Primula.
• Dwarves: they are currently casting Thorin, Fili, Kili and Gloin.
• Dale: Bard, the Master of Laketown, someone called Alfrid; Smaug.
• Elves: Itaril (a female woodland elf), an unnamed 'elf warrior, lord of Rivendell'.
• Radagast the Brown.

Let the speculations begin...

Thanks to XYamuchaX for the link.

[Chaleins of Norbury]

I read that today. It's strange.

If accurate, it would indicate that they are adding more bits about the Shire, at least in flashbacks.

Adding Radagast would indicate some nods towards the White Council, perhaps.

The female elf thing is, well, I don't know what's going on there. The justification would be thin, except to provide more work for starving female actresses.

No mention of Beorn.

The rest make sense.

[Elwen]

Well, there is more we can say.

For example, that they have indeed decided to have a small number of 'main dwarves' - the rest will presumably extras or pretty close to extras.

The 'Alfrid' character suggests that the intrigue in Dale will be played up considerably, to give Bard more to fight against (and therefore a higher profile).

The 'Warrior Elf' from Rivendell is not anyone we might name (Glorfindel, Elladan, Elrohir).


The White Council has been a given for some time - but was Radagast a member of that in the books? ANd should we assume that Saruman and Galadriel are a given, and cast with Blanchett and Lee?

I am assuming that Drogo and Primula are there for some additions to introduce Bilbo properly, and to re-acquaint viewers with the Shire.Perhaps we'll see a scene where Bilbo adopts Frodo in the end?

[Elwen]

TORN is now reporting that this list is, in fact, not complete and also includes some characters which are not as relevant as it seems here.

TORN article

[vandevere]

Hopefully I'll get some name to put on the TV Listings List soon...

[Thurin]

Not really much for us to go on. I was hoping for some - I don't know - actual cast names[!]. Better than nothing I suppose.

I fit the age group wanted for 'Itaril'! I would love a chance to be in the movie. Too bad there's no chance of that happening. But her being in there is a bit odd. I guess it must be for that romance they think they have to put in every stinking movie.

*edit*

Just read the update. So some of the rolls listed are not relevant? Which ones I wonder... I hope we get an update soon!

[Elwen]

Well, even if it's not entirely true (or even if it isn't true at all), we haven't had that much information to pick over for a very long time. ...

[Lady Haleth]

If true, it seems like PJ and all are trying to recapture some of the more popular aspects of LOTR. People loved Legolas? Let's introduce another Elf lord and give him an Eowyn-like girlfriend. (Arwen looked ridiculous with a sword, so be sure to cast an actress who can do some fighting.) Besides, with so few female characters they needed to create a few for the women in the audience to relate to. And don't forget to bring the romance. People loved the comradery and comedy of the Hobbits? Let's introduce Bilbo's friends, Drogo and Primula. People loved Aragorn? Cast Bard as someone similar (although that is more in keeping with the book anyway). I do like that they are going to showcase only a small number of Dwarves. It will be hard enough to keep 4 similar looking characters straight, let alone 13. And I do like the idea of expanding the politics of Laketown (as long as the Mayor doesn't turn into Denethor... although with a dragon attack he may end up on fire and jumping into the lake anyway ).

[Chaleins of Norbury]

I don't know about the whole elf-lord and archer girl idea. Sounds bogus. Although I do agree it would be nice to bring some women into the movie somehow. I just think the whole female elf fighter sounds D&D/World of Warcraft to me.

There's plenty of elves in the story for people to like, and in this case, because the story is from Bilbo and the dwarves perspective, they're not really as friendly as they might be at first. I rather like the aspect (from the book) that the Wood Elves are less wise than Elrond and Galadriel's folk. After all, they never went to the Blessed Realm. However, I understand that its hard to portray that difference in the film and have it make sense to a non-Tolkienite.

Primula and Drogo? Hmm, flashbacks or a short Shire sequence at best. I would have thought they'd put in The Sackville-Bagginses instead (for the end when he comes home). So, I don't know about those two "roles"

Bard and Lake Town are important. I would agree with expanding that idea and the Master/Mayor guy and toadies. The danger is as was pointed out: They could turn into Denethor/Wormtongue.

They've said they are going to have all 13 dwarves, but you only need a few to be major roles, so that makes sense.

Like I said, some of it sounds made up to me.

[Elwen]

Indeed - some of it is probably made up, as TORN revealed. I hope the elf woman is made up, That really does sound far too Dungeons-and-Dragons-ish....

[Drakedon]

Huh, according to The Sun (Jan 17th) Tobey Maguire has been cast as Bilbo. I do wonder if they've just picked up on rumours that have been floating around for a while and run with it.

[Cully]

Yes, and this is the paper that said Jedward were auditioning for Fili and Kili.

Anyway, TORN have refuted this rumour.

[Re-reader]

Although I know we are not allowed to link to AICN, Peter Jackson replied to an inquiry from Harry Knowles to confirm that Tobey McGuire will not be playing Bilbo. What is interesting is the other information contained in PJ's email:

No truth at all, although we're all big fans of Toby. We are currently auditioning for Bilbo, and a month or two away from any announcements.

Cheers

Peter J

[Cully]

Thanks RR for the info about who refuted the rumour.

But still a month or two away from any announcements? Where's the tearing-out-the-hair smiley?

[Re-reader]

Originally Posted by Cully

Thanks RR for the info about who refuted the rumour.

But still a month or two away from any announcements? Where's the tearing-out-the-hair smiley?

Here you go:

[Chaleins of Norbury]

A Month???!!!

[Elwen]

Thanks for that, Re-Reader!


Can I join in?!

[Thurin]

A month?!?!?!