MTV News caught up with rising star Benedict Cumberbatch recently, who is playing not one but two roles in the film, he was full of praise for Jackson as well as his friend/co-star Martin Freeman.

“I was very lucky [to work] with Pete,” Cumberbatch told us at Elton John’s Oscar-viewing party. “As far as the experience, what an extraordinary one it was because at the time I was in my work; I was in isolation with him and this incredible tag team. And at the very cool place with that technology doing mo-cap for two characters, Smaug the dragon and another character, which will remain nameless, and it was an awful lot of fun.”

Cumberbatch went on to say that he hasn’t seen any finished shots from the film since he worked mainly by himself doing voice-over work and movements for the characters.

“It’s a sort of wonderful ongoing process,” he said. “I spent a lot of time recording voice as well as doing movements. So, it was sort of freeing; it was fun. It was like playing a game. It’s going to be an amazing film; it’s going to be a real treat. I watched ‘The Lord of the Rings’ again before I started working, and the way those films grow in depth of craft on every level are extraordinary. Their mark is for that.”

The “War Horse” actor admitted that the only trouble he had while on set was keeping a straight face when he saw his friend and “Sherlock” co-star Martin Freeman in costume as lovable Hobbit Bilbo Baggins.

“It was great. I got to hang out with him, and I kept a straight face for a bit and then I started giggling because I know Martin, I don’t know Bilbo,” Cumberbatch said with a grin. “For Martin to be sitting there playing Bilbo is amazing. He’s going to be amazing, he’s going to be fantastic in this film.”

Source: mtv.com

‘The Hobbit’ Is Going To Be ‘Amazing’ is a post from: The Hobbit Movie

Rachel Buchanan finds her big chance for film stardom is hobbled from the very start.

THE advert was boxed, single column, easy to miss: ”The Hobbit Official Extras Casting Call 2012”, the heading said. Then: ”The journey continues for 2012 and we are once again seeking EXTRAS.”

Readers were referred to the entertainment section for more details. The requirements were very specific. I was too tall to be a Hobbit (women had to be under five feet) and too solid to be an Elf (”slim, athletic” and between five feet five inches and six feet four inches).

I had one option left. The filmmakers also wanted ”WOMEN – with character faces”.

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The word character was obviously a code for something. I guessed it meant a little bit weird-looking, maybe even slightly ugly. Or maybe it meant plain but with one knockout facial feature such as a big nose, a warty chin or luminous cauliflower ears. I have a big nose. When the light is right, I also have a cleft chin. I’d do.

”Mum’s going to be a troll,” one of my daughters said.

Across town, my brother Ben had also noticed the ad. Ben was going for ”BIG MEN – with character faces – five nine and over.” Ben is six foot and has a bigger nose than me. The casting call was on the Saturday at Belmont Hall, next to the Belmont Primary School on the Western Hutt Road. Neither of us had heard of Belmont before.

I arranged to borrow our parents’ car. I said I’d take Ben, too. In the days before the audition, I speed read The Hobbit. This was easy because The Hobbit is a book full of action like something on Xbox. The wizard, Gandalf, bullies Bilbo Baggins (the hobbit) into joining 13 dwarfs on a mission to reclaim the dwarf treasure stolen by Smaug the Magnificent, an evil dragon. Along the way, Bilbo bamboozles Gollum with riddles then finds the magic ring, helps the dwarfs escape from goblins, he saves the dwarfs from flesh-eating spiders, Mirkwood elves and suspicious Lake men, he opens the hidden door into the dragon’s lair, etc etc.

The best character is Beorn, a man who becomes a black bear at night. The second best character is Bard, the Lake man who shoots a black arrow into the soft spot on Smaug’s dragon belly and so saves the people of Esgaroth. Ben wanted to be Bard. I wanted to be Beorn. There are no named women characters in the book. In fact, I can’t recall the word woman being used at all by Tolkien.

Saturday arrived. I picked Ben up at 12.15. I already knew that Prime Minister John Key had changed industrial relations law so local actors and crew could be paid less for working on the movie but my brother also told me The Hobbit was going to be the most expensive film ever made. Actually, it was going to be two films. He had a friend working in wardrobe. ”She is ageing leather with mink oil,” he said.

Twenty minutes down the motorway, we noticed a line of cars, then lines of people. I veered across three lanes. Belmont Hall was there, just below the blackberry bushes and gorse. A small hollow was thronged with blond teenagers and a few rotund middle-aged men with beards and black T-shirts. They held slips of white paper. Of course, they had camped out or arrived early. I went down a shingle road by the Hutt River. Some cars faced forwards, some faced back. It was gridlock. I told Ben to get out and save me a spot in the queue.

We prospective EXTRAS worked together to unblock the narrow road. I got out onto the motorway again and parked, three kilometres south, down by the river. I began to trot back towards the hall, hopeful and excited. My phone beeped. It was my brother. ”Hey Rachel where you. I’m done!” his message said.

I was a bit surprised that he’d got in so fast. Then beep, another message: ”I’m by the roundabout.”

Half an hour later I got back to the hall. There were thousands of people, and the little hollow was now packed tight as a mosh-pit. Still, my brother stood out, smoking happily by the roundabout.

”Let’s go,” he said to me. ”But I want my turn,” I said. He looked at me with hard Hollywood eyes. ”You’re really going to wait in this queue?” he said.

He hadn’t waited. All it took was a couple of ciggies and a bit of charm and he was in, right down the front.

I would not be a ”WOMAN – with character face” in the most expensive movie ever made, but as my brother and I started the long walk back to the car, I realised I had already been cast as an extra. I was ”CHAUFFEUR – with sunburnt face”.

Source: Rachel Buchanan, theage.com.au

Hobbit role turns out to be fantasy is a post from: The Hobbit Movie

Scottish comedian Billy Connolly will play a pugnacious dwarf in Peter Jackson’s upcoming The Hobbit movies, the New Zealand director said.

Mr Jackson said the recruitment of Mr Connolly, known as the “Big Yin”, completed casting for his latest Tolkien epic, a two-film adaptation of The Hobbit currently being shot in Mr Jackson’s homeland.

“We could not think of a more fitting actor to play Dain Ironfoot, the staunchest and toughest of dwarves, than Billy Connolly, the Big Yin himself,” Mr Jackson said in a statement. “With Billy stepping into this role, the cast of The Hobbit is now complete. We can’t wait to see him on the battlefield.”

Source: timesofmalta.com

Billy Connolly cast in upcoming Hobbit movies is a post from: The Hobbit Movie

Swedish actor Mikael Persbrandt, known for his leading “tough-guy” roles, spoke recently about playing the reclusive and heroic Beorn.

In The Hobbit, Beorn is an immense brawny shapeshifter, who is vegetarian and lives in a wooden house between the Misty Mountains and Mirkwood on his own after the Orcs killed the rest of his race. Beorn can transform at will into a bear. Mikael describes a scene, which could well be the part of the story where Beorn interrogates a wolf and a goblin to verify Gandalf’s story.

In an interview (translated from Swedish), Mikael spoke about what it was like to play Beorn.

“When, during the first days, I was hoisted up to the ceiling in the west King Kong studio in Wellington, I knew what to do. Even though it was embarrassing and a hassle to start with a severe torture scene, I knew I could even suggest things.”

Peter Jackson was impressed with your audition.

“I did not made it complicated. Just as one can imagine “how exactly would I react if I lose a child ?”…

[He bends down and knocks in the wooden floor.]

” … no more than I can imagine “what am I like as a Shapeshifter”?, living with horses and animals in the forest. One must look into oneself and try. I act pretty much in the same way in “The Hobbit” as I would in a love drama.”

There has been much anticipation of “The Hobbit”.

“I bought a mountain bike in New Zealand and was often up biking in the mountains while I was waiting.”

It is the in the Hamilton-movies that you trained your body?

“Yes, but it comes in damn handy in New Zealand. It is for Hamilton that I was with the Navy Seals and the Swedish equivalent. I’ve been at this gym.” [He points to the shirt with "Nacka martial arts center."]

“I drive all the time. Including this morning. Two miles uphill and then weights. It has become like a poison to me. Six days a week.”

You practice your English?

“Yes, I do that with Peter Jackson’s film. In Hamilton I talk in both Russian and English. I try to be a good student. I have had some resistance. It was useless to go for English lessons at home when you did not have concrete offers abroad.”

Source: Nojes Bladent

Beorn talks about being a bear is a post from: The Hobbit Movie

Orlando Bloom spoke recently about Wellington, the Hobbit Movie set and his up and coming roles.

He said of Wellington “Wellington is remarkably unchanged after 10 years… It hasn’t been hit by the onslaught of consumerism…” and admitted that he would like to spend more time there.

When asked about how the Hobbit Movie is going to compare with the success of the LoTR movies, Orlando spoke about his impression of the studios, which have grown massively since the last movies, saying they had “a remarkable setup”. He also praised director Peter Jackson.

The new movie is being shot in 3D, but this does not pose any additional challenges as an actor – it just takes a little longer to set up.

When quizzed about his apparent penchant for roles where he gets to dress up in “interesting outfits and long hair”, he laughed and said this was not a pre-requisite and that he just wanted to “have fun”.

Source: 3news.co.nz

Long hair and dressing up not a pre-requisite for Orlando is a post from: The Hobbit Movie

Leaving Flynn, their baby son, tucked up at home, Orlando Bloom and wife, Victoria’s Secret model Miranda Kerr, braved the New Zealand chill to view a four-bedroom open plan waterfront home featuring a gym, home cinema, spa, swimming pool, home cinema, wine cellar and spectacular views across Karaka Bay.

Orlando, playing Legolas, has already been in New Zealand for two weeks. He was joined by Miranda and Flynn a week ago, after the Victoria’s Secret model had returned to the catwalk for the first time since giving birth, for the David Jones department store in Sydney, Australia.

Source: Mail Online

Orlando Bloom and Miranda Kerr hunt for Hobbit hole is a post from: The Hobbit Movie

Lost star Evangeline Lilly is the latest celebrity to join the cast of The Hobbit. The 31-year-old actress, who played Kate Austen in Lost, was in New Zealand to play Woodland Elf, Tauriel, as Peter Jackson announced on his Facebook page. He said, “Her name means ‘daughter of Mirkwood’ and, beyond that, we must leave you guessing!”. Sadly there will be no romantic connection to Legolas. Read his full letter below:

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!

Cheers, Peter J.

 Source: Peter Jackson's Facebook Page

Star of Lost joins The Hobbit Cast is a post from: The Hobbit Movie

Dwarf Lords in their own right, Balin and Dwalin are close relatives of Thorin. Beyond this, these brothers are two of his most loyal and trusted friends.

An old warrior, Balin has lived through hard times and fought many battles, yet he harbors doubts about the wisdom of the Quest to retake the Lonely Mountain.

Dwalin has no such forebodings – his belief in Thorin’s leadership is unshakeable. A powerful and bruising fighter, with a natural tendency to distrust anyone who is not a Dwarf, particularly anyone who might be an Elf, Dwalin is not someone to cross lightly

Source: TIME

First Look at Balin and Dwalin in The Hobbit is a post from: The Hobbit Movie

New Line Cinema and MGM have released the first photo of Jed Brophy as Nori, Adam Brown as Ori and Mark Hadlow as Dori in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.

First Look at Dori, Nori and Ori in The Hobbit is a post from: The Hobbit Movie

Richard Armitage has spoken with Total Film about his role in Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit:

We recently sat down with the British actor to talk about his role as dwarf Thorin Oakenshield in the two-part Tolkien epic, and he told us: “There’s going to be quite a lot more humour.

“The book is so focused on the dwarves, so I think it’s a chance for Peter [Jackson] and Fran [Walsh] to really look at that whole race in more detail, their heritage and what they’re like as characters.”

The dwarves aren’t just there as comic relief though, as Armitage has learnt while wielding the Orcrist, Thorin’s legendary goblin sword.

“It’s bloody heavy!” he told us. “But it’s absolutely beautiful to look at. Every time they bring something new out everyone gasps. The armour that the dwarves emerge from the mountain wearing at the end of the film will be the armour of all armour.”

Tolkien fan Armitage said that he’s in his element shooting in New Zealand: “There was a scene in The Lord Of The Rings where they find the stone trolls, and they’re identical in The Hobbit.

“I love those moments, when you link into the world of the film that you’ve seen before.”

Source: TotalFilm.com

Richard Armitage talks about his role as a dwarf is a post from: The Hobbit Movie

Peter Jackson has updated his Facebook page confirming our previously reported casting of Luke Evans as Bard and Benedict Cumberbatch as the voice of Smaug. He has also announced Barry Humphries will be portraying a CGI Goblin King and Evangeline Lilly will be cast as Tauriel:

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!

Source: Peter Jackson

CGI Goblin King and Tauriel casting announced is a post from: The Hobbit Movie

We can now confirm that Luke Evans will play Bard in the Peter Jackson-directed The Hobbit and Benedict Cumberbatch will voice the dragon Smaug in the motion capture. Cumberbatch is already on the picture, providing the voice of the character Necromancer.

Bard the Bowman and Voice of Smaug cast is a post from: The Hobbit Movie

Peter Jackson has updated his Facebook Fan page with news of Orlando Bloom’s casting in The Hobbit:

Ten years ago, Orlando Bloom created an iconic character with his portrayal of Legolas. I’m excited to announce today that we’ll be revisiting Middle Earth with him once more. I’m thrilled to be working with Orlando again. Funny thing is, I look older—and he doesn’t! I guess that’s why he makes such a wonderful elf.

Source: Peter Jackson

Peter Jackson confirms Orlando Bloom casting is a post from: The Hobbit Movie

Sir Peter Jackson has cast English actor and comedian Stephen Fry as The Master of Laketown in his Hobbit movies:

Some more HOBBIT casting news today. As we near the end of our first shooting block (we have a break in less than three weeks to get some editing and visual effects work done, plus prepare for very big scenes coming up), we are looking at characters featuring in sequences that take place a little later in the story.

We are thrilled to confirm that Stephen Fry will be playing The Master of Laketown. I’ve known Stephen for several years, and we’re developing a DAMBUSTERS movie together. In addition to his writing skills, he’s a terrific actor and will create a very memorable Master for us.

The Master’s conniving civil servant, Alfrid will be played by Ryan Gage. Ryan is a great young actor who we originally cast in a small role, but we liked him so much, we promoted him to the much larger Alfrid part.

Source: Peter Jackson

Stephen Fry cast as The Master of Laketown is a post from: The Hobbit Movie

In his latest blog entry Ian McKellen confirms the casting of Hugo Weaving as Lord Elrond, Bret McKenzie as the Elf Lindir, and Sylvester McCoy in the role of Radagast the Brown.

This is not another April Fool, just a May Fact.  Before signing as Bilbo, Martin had agreed to make three 90-minute TV films in London, again playing Dr Watson to Benedict Cumberbatch’s Sherlock Holmes.  No worries: he’ll be back in Middle Earth after our first hiatus, during which Peter Jackson will have spare time to edit the scenes already completed.  The rest of the cast remains on duty for another few weeks, working on hobbit-less sections of the film.  These involve dwarves of course but also elves, with Hugo Weaving back for a stretch as Lord Elrond.

Hugo was recently onstage as Astrov in Chekov’s Uncle Vanya for the Sydney Theatre Company, whose director, Cate Blanchett, played Yelena.  Before she returns as Galadriel, they will reprise their production at Washington DC’s Kennedy Center in August.  I shall miss the revival, because of my own play, Eduardo De Filippo’s The Syndicate at Chichester Festival Theatre and a short UK tour.

Another slim-line elf returning from LOTR, is a local: New Zealand’s actor/comedian/singer Bret McKenzie.  Last time, he was an extra at Rivendell, the elven Last Homely House in the East.  Under a tree at the Council of Elrond, he silently witnessed the forming of the Fellowship.  Wordless maybe but not unnoticed by fans of the beautiful, who gave him the acronym F.I.G.W.I.T. (“Frodo Is Great! Who Is That?”)  I confess Gandalf didn’t take much notice, distracted by the main action that involved all the main characters.

Source: Ian McKellen

Gandalf confirms Elrond, Lindir and Radagast is a post from: The Hobbit Movie

Orlando Bloom in an interview with BBC America Blog has spoken about his excitement of [potentially] being cast in the upcoming Hobbit movies.

Orlando Bloom is talking as if he’s been fully cast as the elf Legolas in the two-part Hobbit movie currently being shot in New Zealand — but he still won’t officially confirm his involvement.

When asked he just says: “I can’t really discuss it too much at this point, but I’m very excited at the prospect of being a part of it again. I think it will be wonderful to get back there.”

Sounds like he’s doing it but hasn’t yet signed on the dotted line.

Source: BBC America Blog

Orlando Bloom Teases ‘Hobbit’ Involvement is a post from: The Hobbit Movie

In an interview with Belfast Telegraph, Saoirse Ronan revealed that she will not play the role of Itaril in the upcoming Hobbit films.

Saoirse Ronan has revealed she will not be playing woodland elf Itaril in The Hobbit.

The Hanna star had been in talks to star in The Lord Of The Rings prequel, directed by Peter Jackson, who she worked with on The Lovely Bones, but has now signed up to star in The Host.

Saoirse revealed: “It’s probably not going to work out with The Hobbit unfortunately.

“Because I would have been working for about a year on it and there were other projects that I was very interested in, but Pete and [his producer wife] Fran have been very good about it and very understanding.

“I’ll have to just go back down to New Zealand for a holiday and hang out with the hobbits.”

Source: Belfast Telegraph

Saoirse Ronan will not play the role of Itaril is a post from: The Hobbit Movie

Peter Jackson has updated his Facebook with news of two new cast members:

I’m very pleased to be welcoming two new cast members to our team.

Dean O’Gorman will be playing Fili. Dean’s a terrific Kiwi actor, who I am thrilled to be working with. He’s recently been in an excellent TV series down here called “The Almighty Johnsons”, and I should let fans of that show know that our shooting schedule allows Dean to continue with a second series next year. Dean will be joining us next week.

I’m also pleased to announce that Lee Pace will be playing the Elven King Thranduil. Casting these Tolkien stories is very difficult, especially the Elven characters, and Lee has always been our first choice for Thranduil. He’s going to be great. We loved his performance in a movie called “The Fall” a few years ago, and have been hoping to work with him since. When we were first discussing who would be right for Thranduil, Lee came into mind almost immediately.

It’s been a great week, and I’m looking forward to the next few. It’s going to be interesting…

More soon.

Cheers,
Peter J

Source: Peter Jackson

Fili and Elven King Thranduil cast is a post from: The Hobbit Movie

Peter Jackson has updated his Facebook with the above photo and status:

An old friend came to visit me on set today

Stop teasing us PJ If we hear anything official, we’ll let you all know!

Source: Peter Jackson

Hugo Weaving visits Hobbit set is a post from: The Hobbit Movie

Orlando Bloom discusses The Hobbit and his possible casting in an interview with MTV:

When MTV News caught up with Bloom as he did press for his upcoming film ”Sympathy for Delicious,” we asked if we could bet on him joining his “LOTR” castmates Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen and Cate Blanchett in the production.

“I’m going to bet on it,” he said. “But I can’t really talk too much about it because it’s still sort of in the ether. But I would love to go back to work with Peter Jackson. It would be an honor.”

When asked if he’s ready to get back into that famous wig and those prosthetic ears, Bloom said he’s happy to put on anything and everything Jackson requires.

“I’ll do anything for him,” he told us.

And what about that script? Is Bloom one of the privileged few who’ve read it?

“It’s wonderful,” he said with a knowing smile.

Source: MTV

Orlando Bloom bets he’ll be in the Hobbit is a post from: The Hobbit Movie