I don't know, but I'm beginning to smell a rat I think. All this talk of Aragorn possibly being in the movie. Gimli definitely not being in the movie. Whether Legolas will or won't...
Let's put things out logically.
Gimli could slide into the movie as Gloin (find a different glue, or digitally change his face a bit - hey - big budget!). Gloin does not take such a big role. A lot of his shots would be of him as one among thirteen. Use a stunt double and digitally stick on his face if non-speaking? Dead easy - if you know how.
Legolas, legitimately could be in movie - though as a cameo, very few lines, just to please the fans. Orlando could play Thranduil even, with minor make-up changes. He's Immortal. He does not age!
Anyhow - to the Bigger Picture!
To put in Aragorn and the White Council would require so much sub-creating and movie time, we'd definitely need three movies, or else the whole thing would be too rushed! The movie makers can't risk anything but a movie of the quality and 'pacing' of LOTR. Tonal changes between Bilbo and the White Council sequences would be too extreme - unless they're making The Hobbit (Adults Only) Version. (If so, they'll have to cut out all the lighter scenes - and that will leave nothing left but DT's imagination!)
I don't think DT can do it. The Hobbit will be The Hobbit. The movie makers are playing with us with all this talk of showing events in Southern Mirkwood - because they know it can't be done even half-well in the space of two movies!
The White Council will come in "Gandalf the Grey (The Movie)," just as I've always suspected! "Money, money, money, isn't funny, it's a rich man's world...!" (Abba)
Yippee-yay! No White Council!!!
Odo
