That poor man was a trojan for those films. I can’t even imagine the pain and suffering. I agree - there’s no way in hell he’s going to volunteer to do that again.
He honestly deserves an award for putting up with awful complications and remaining graceful under pressure. He was a wonderful addition to the trilogy, and I’m so glad he stayed it out, but damn. That had to have been a hellish time for him.
The Swedish actor Mikael Persbrandt is unexpectedly going to play Beorn. He is a very dedicated actor most known for his macho type of characters in Scandinavian movies, but he is also a “Dramaten actor”, which is perhaps the most credibly background a Swedish actor can have. Since he most likely sees this as a once in a lifetime chance to break it internationally he’ll probably do anything to make Beorn justice.
For some reason his rendition of Dwarf reminded me entirely too much of the Orko stand-in, in the He-Man live action flick.
Loved the video update from Peter. Glad to see that production has actually begun and I can not believe that it has begun with Jackson directing.
Cool to see the sets again. Can’t believe it is really happening.
Looks like they have to find a new Fili. I wonder what happened. Perhaps he didn’t want to stay out there for so long.
Hugo Weaving and Cat Blanchett will appear as Elrond and Galadriel again.
Don’t be frightened when you see “Martin Freeman has left the Hobbit.” He just means that he is going to make more Sherlock Holmes.
And Stephen Fry is now onboard to play the Master of Laketown. Yay!
I saw that. Very cool and I’m glad he’s involved.
Have they cast Bard yet?
Lemme look.
It doesn’t look like it. Hmm. Would Kenneth Branagh make a good Bard?
Nor do I see Voice of Smaug cast yet.
Oh, wow, I hadn’t been keeping up with the casting lately but am very pleased with Ken Stott (little known outside the UK I suspect, but a fine, fine actor) as Balin, and Sylvester McCoy as Radagast. Even with David Tennant no longer attached, there’s still a former Doctor in the cast.
Based on his work as “House” in last week’s Doctor Who, the astonishingly talented Michael Sheen could do a wonderful job of it.
Tom Baker could be an excellent Smaug as well.
Wow, I did not realze McCoy was playing Radagast. That is cool that a Doctor is in it.
Martin (Bilbo) Freeman just revealed that his Sherlock co-star Benedict Cumberbatch has been cast in the Hobbit. He did this while Benedict was standing next to him at a UK awards show, and apparently it was supposed to still be confidential. There aren’t that many unfilled slots, so I wonder who he’s playing? He looks a bit like he should be playing an Elf.
Wow, that is cool. I wonder if he is Bard, then. Hmmmm…
I love him in Sherlock. My wife and I are just re watching them right now. 
Yes, I just noticed Sherlock pop up on Netflix Streaming. Only 3 episodes–how many times will I end up watching them? (And I’ve used Netflix search on “Benedict Cumberbatch.” A couple of Streaming options popped up.)
The Hobbit news is great! (And Doctor Watson will make an excellent Young Bilbo.)
Titles and release dates confirmed:
**The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey **comes out December 14, 2012
The Hobbit: There and Back Again comes out December 13, 2013
That sneak peek into “Gandalf, Elrond and Galadriel brandishing an array of fearsome Elvish weapons” was pretty awesome. 