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THE HOBBIT (2012): First Round of Casting for Part 1 and Part 2

The Hobbit 2012-2013, First Casting, Header

The Hobbit: Part 1 (2012) and The Hobbit: Part 2 (2013) casting is under way. Peter Jackson‘s The Hobbit will see Martin Freeman as the titular character of Bilbo Baggins. Other actors of have been recruited to play the Dwarf roles. “Richard Armitage (”Spooks,” “Captain America: The First Avenger”) will play Thorin Oakenshield, leader of the Company of Dwarves which sets off to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from a thieving dragon. Aidan Turner (”Being Human”) and Rob Kazinsky (”EastEnders”) will play Kili and Fili, members of the Company of Dwarves. Graham McTavish (”Secretariat”) will play Dwalin, John Callen (”Power Rangers Jungle Fury”) will play Oin; Stephen Hunter (”All Saints”) will play Bombur, and Mark Hadlow (”King Kong”) plays Dori, while Peter Hambleton (”The Strip”) will play Gloin.” Glimmi, your Dad is in The Hobbit. “Ian McKellan and Andy Serkis aren’t in the first round of confirmed casting, but they are expected to be signing on. Stephen Fry and Saoirse Ronan are apparently up for parts and Bill Nighy may join as the voice of Smaug the Dragon, and the role of the Elf King is still open (Deadline says Aidan Turner is linked to the part, but he’s also playing Kili; mixup or is he playing two parts?). And confirming earlier reports, James Nesbitt and David Tennant are both up for parts, with the former being offered Bofur last we heard.”

Peter Jackson had this to say about the first round of casting for The Hobbit: Part 1 (2012) and The Hobbit: Part 2 (2013).

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“Despite the various rumours and speculation surrounding this role, there has only ever been one Bilbo Baggins for us,” says Peter Jackson. “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.”

He adds “Richard is one of the most exciting and dynamic actors working on screen today and we know he is going to make an amazing Thorin Oakensheild. We cannot wait to start this adventure with him and feel very lucky that one of the most beloved characters in Middle-earth is in such good hands.”

Jackson comments “Rob is an extremely talented young actor with a huge career in front of him, I’m thrilled that he has agreed to take on the role of Fili. Besides his talent as an actor, Rob is also a champion sword fighter; I’m looking forward to seeing the damage he can do to a horde of marauding Goblins!” He continues, “Adian is a wonderfully gifted young actor who hails from Ireland. I’m sure he will bring enormous heart and humor to the role of Kili.”

Jackson notes, “Graham is a terrific actor, with a great depth of experience, which I know he will bring to the role of “Dwalin. I have worked with Mark Hadlow on many projects; he is a fantastic actor. I am thrilled to be working with both of them on these movies. He adds, “I am also proud to announce the casting of New Zealand actors as Peter Hambleton, John Callen and Stephen Hunter. Fran and I know that they will bring great depth and talent to our Company of Dwarves.”

I really hope Ian McKellan and Andy Serkis resign for the film. It wouldn’t be the same without them.

Source: LiveforFilms

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Rollo Tomasi

Rollo Tomasi is a Connecticut-based film critic, TV show critic, news, and editorial writer. He will have a MFA in Creative Writing from Columbia University in 2025. Rollo has written over 700 film, TV show, short film, Blu-ray, and 4K-Ultra reviews. His reviews are published in IMDb's External Reviews and in Google News. Previously you could find his work at Empire Movies, Blogcritics, and AltFilmGuide. Now you can find his work at FilmBook.
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