Recalling actors for The Hobbit

[serai]

.
Okay, so according to PJ and GDT, they'll be vigorously pursuing any LOTR actors whose characters would appear in The Hobbit and what they're calling Film 2.

That means they'd need:


Ian Holm - Bilbo (But probably not as young Bilbo. Maybe older in Film 2?)
Ian McKellen - Gandalf
Andy Serkis - Gollum
and
Hugo Weaving - Elrond


Those four are definitely in the book of The Hobbit. Then some possibilities for Film 2:


Viggo Mortensen - Aragorn
Orlando Bloom - Legolas
Liv Tyler - Arwen
Cate Blanchett - Galadriel
Christopher Lee - Saruman

Elijah Wood - Frodo
Sean Astin - Sam


Those are the only characters I can think of that are either in the storyline as written by Tolkien, or could easily fit into it for the films. Anybody I'm missing? Who else in on the White Council besides the two wizards, Elrond and Galadriel?


We know from PJ that Ian M., Andy and Viggo have been approached. Liv and Elijah have both been quoted as saying they'd run to NZ in a heartbeat if asked. I'm pretty sure the rest of them would be into it as well. The only doubts are Christopher, who might be too old to partake anymore, and possibly Hugo and Orlando, neither of whom seem terribly attached to the Tolkien thing. But PJ and GDT said they don't want to recast anybody, and that if there were any scheduling conflicts, the writing would "go in another direction", which I took to mean the character would simply be cut out. That would be easy with, say, Legolas, but someone like Elrond would have to be recast, since you really can't cut him out of the story.

It'll be interesting to see how this develops...

Comments

[aredhelebenesse.livejournal.com]

Oh wow! That becomes very interesting indeed. It's nice to follow the process of creation in a way. We'll see what will happen further.

[belleferret.livejournal.com]

It was gratifying to hear that bringing the original cast back was uppermost on the fans' minds, and that both PJ and GDT heard that loud and clear!

I also found this interesting about Film 2:
There's an awful lot of incident that happens during that 60 year gap. At this stage, we're not imagining a film that literally covers 60 years, like a bio-pic or documentary. We would figure out what happens during that 60 years, and choose one short section of time to drop in and dramatise for the screen.

[elycia.livejournal.com]

I really, REALLY hope they get Christopher Lee back. It seems like they sort of owe him one after they cut his death scene out of the theatrical release and left Saruman floating in the ether, as it were. And the chance to play a not-yet-completely-corrupted Saruman would be delightful for him, I'm sure.

Celebrian would be there, but I can't even remember who played him, to my embarrassment. And I *think* Cirdan was on the Council, but though we saw him briefly in the movies, he never so much as opened his mouth, so recasting that one isn't a biggie.

For my part, I'm probably the most excited that they've got Howard Shore on board. The movie wouldn't have been ANYTHING like it was without that incredible soundtrack. (And I'm psyched that they've got Alan Lee and John Howe on the creative team again; they're both such DECENT people in addition to being 700x more talented than I'll ever be.

[ex-lbilover.livejournal.com]

Wouldn't Radagast be on the White Council?

It will be very interesting. I hope most of the actors will jump at the chance and have enough lead time to be free for the shoot. *fingers crossed*

[lyrastar77.livejournal.com]

It'll be interesting to see how this develops...

Oh, definitely -- I've already had lots of fun participating in the online chat :-) I reckon there are still a lot of question marks hanging in the air, though. Hmmm, Christopher Lee *could* be too old now to return, and the same for Ian Holm -- although I did hear something about him possibly being involved in the narration.

Unfortunately Christopher Tolkien is now attempting to throw another spanner in the works, and I reckon the timing is deliberate. There's an article in The Times Online over here (http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/article3999008.ece).

As I already guessed, filming wouldn't begin until 2010, with the F2 movie scheduled for release in 2012, which is almost *five years* from now :-O I do hope that Elijah & Sean, at least, will be involved :-) Though there's the question of them now having aged but needing to play younger versions of their characters (bring on the botox ...)

I'm not sure it'll be enough to revive the fandom though, and I seriously doubt we would ever get back to the old heady days surrounding the LOTR trilogy releases. What do you think?

~Lyra

[serai1.livejournal.com]

Yes, we're lucky that PJ and crew are so generous with us, letting us know how things are developing. Usually the film world is very secretive about projects like these.

[serai1.livejournal.com]

Yes, that is interesting, isn't it? I'm thinking they'll probably focus on the doings of the White Council, since that's connected to Gandalf's absences in The Hobbit, and PJ and GDT said they're interested in exploring those gaps in Film 2.

[serai1.livejournal.com]

I would LOVE to see that scene between Gandalf and Saruman, when they meet to talk about Sauron's doings, and Saruman lectures Gandalf about his use of Teh Ebul Weed. Ahaha.

Do you mean Celeborn? Celebrian was Elrond's wife, Arwen's mom. Celeborn was played by Martin Csorkas. I don't know if he'd be around, since he wasn't on the White Council.

I'm totally stoked about the music, yo. Can't have too much HS!

[serai1.livejournal.com]

Yes, you're right! It would definitely be cool to meet him. Michael Hordern would have been a wonderful Radagast. (He played Gandalf in the BBC Audio version of LOTR.)

[serai1.livejournal.com]

I can't tell you how pissed off I am at CT. For one thing, I am never again buying another Tolkien book new. Used, from now on. And I intend to write to the Tolkien folks and tell them so. I may be only one person, but I can use my wallet to show my displeasure, and they can fucking BITE ME.

As far as the hobbits go, who knows? It all depends on what they decide to do with the story. They may not write Frodo into it at all.

There will always be Tolkien fandom, and the films will always be part of that. For my part, I won't miss those "heady" days quite so much, as an awful lot of nasty stuff happened, at least online. I'll be happy to have the movies (if we ever GET THEM), and some folks to talk them over with. :)

[elycia.livejournal.com]

Oh, duh. *smacks self on forehead* Of course I meant Celeborn. Blast Tolkien and his similar names! :-) (And on that note, I can't say as I much envy PJ and GdT in their upcoming task of differentiating 12 dwarves--anyone other than Thorin--with dreadfully similar 2-syllable names, particularly since they'll probably look a LOT alike. Most people can't even name all 7 of Disney's dwarfs; this one will be a poser!)

But yeah, Sir Ian's going to have entirely too much fun with the pipe-weed scene if they shoot it. :-) I hope we get to see it!