The two-part adaptation for Peter Jackson's "The Hobbit" has been slowly making headway to actually getting made since the main studio behind the film franchise, MGM, went bankrupt.
Warner Bros, New Line and MGM have come together to make the "Lord of the Rings" prequel reality and have jointly announced the initial cast for "The Hobbit."
Martin Freemnan ("The Office" UK), who has been rumored for the role of Bilbo Baggins for months, has been officially announced as the title character.
Jackson stated that Freeman was always the production's top choice, and declared, "There are a few times in your career when you come across an actor who you know was born to play a role, but that was the case as soon as I met Martin. He is intelligent, funny, surprising and brave -- exactly like Bilbo and I feel incredibly proud to be able to announce that he is our Hobbit."
A few more names were announced to complete the Company of Dwarves who take Bilbo and Gandalf on their quest to the Lonely Mountain.
The actors and their respective dwarves are as follows:
* Richard Armitage ("Captain America: The First Avenger") – Thorin Oakenshield, leader of the Company of Dwarves.
* Aidan Turner ("Being Human") – Kili
* Rob Kazinsky ("EastEnders") – Fili
* Graham McTavish ("Secretariat") – Dwalin
* John Callen ("Power Rangers Jungle Fury") - Oin
* Stephen Hunter ("All Saints") – Bombur
* Mark Hadlow ("King Kong") – Dori
* Peter Hambleton ("The Strip") – Gloin
No other cast members were announced or confirmed in this press release, although we can still assume Sir Ian McKellen and Andy Serkis are both expected to reprise their iconic roles as Gandalf and Gollum.
Deadline also reports it has heard that James Nesbitt and David Tennant are up for roles, plus Stephen Fry, Saoirse Ronan and Bill Nighy (as the voice of the dragon Smaug) are also in the running.
The only other issue Peter Jackson has to currently deal with is the shooting location for the "Hobbit" films. The New Zealand Actors' Equity and its umbrella The Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance headquartered in Australia have been advising actors not to accept work on the film's production because it is "non-union." The crisis had been settled and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) rescinded the order to stop its actor members from working on "The Hobbit."
Sadly, the trouble didn't end there. The entire production for the two-part prequel may be moved out of New Zealand, where all three "Lord of the Rings" films were shot, to the UK.
A visibly gaunt, angry Jackson went on television recently to discuss the matter, and he remains hopeful that Warner Bros. and the Australian/New Zealand labor unions will be able to works things out so production on the film can stay as opposed to absconding to Europe.
Jackson is putting together another strong cast and I'm already excited to see it. It's been a long road for "The Hobbit," and I'm sure I'm not the only one who wants to see these films finally get made. As to whether WB decides to move production or not, that will be decided later this week.
Production has already started on both parts of "The Hobbit," which are to be shot back-to-back starting in February 2011. Part 1 is scheduled to hit theaters on Dec. 19, 2012, with part 2 following a year later in December 2013.
UPDATE: Warner Brothers has struck a deal with the New Zealand government and film production will not be moved. Find out more details in the links.
