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THE HOBBIT NEWS

'The Hobbit' Cast Grows: Blanchett, McCoy, Stott and Persbrand

by Alex Billington
December 7, 2010

As expected, more casting news has been announced for Peter Jackson's The Hobbit, which has been given the greenlight and is gearing up to shoot next year. Announced via press release, New Line/Warner Bros has confirmed that Cate Blanchett, Ken Stott, Sylvester McCoy and Mikael Persbrand have all been cast along with Ryan Gage, Jed Brophy, William Kircher. Blanchett will reprise her role from Lord of the Rings as Galadriel, Lady of Lothlorien. Stott will play the Dwarf Lord Balin, McCoy will play the wizard Radagast the Brown (as we reported back in August) and Swedish actor Persbrandt will play the shape-shifter Beorn.

British actor Ryan Gage will play Drogo Baggins, with New Zealand actors Jed Brophy playing the role of the dwarf Nori, and William Kircher rounding out the company of Thorin Oakensheild in role of the dwarf Bifur. Jackson welcomes Blanchett's return: "Cate is one of my favorite actors to work with and I couldn't be more thrilled to have her reprise the role she so beautifully brought to life in the earlier films." Jackson also went on to comment on Mikael Persbrand: "The role of Beorn is an iconic one and Mikael was our first choice for the part. Since seeing him read for the role we can't imagine anyone else playing this character." It's great to hear Jackson's words of support for every cast member, I wouldn't expect anything less for movies like this.

It's no surprise to see New Line/Warner Bros make a huge spectacle out of every single bit of Hobbit casting there is, but I don't mind since this is unquestionably one of my most highly anticipated upcoming projects. Shooting begins in February 2011 for a split two-part December 2012 and December 2013 release of the two movies based on J.R.R. Tolkien's epic Middle earth tale The Hobbit. We'll continue to keep you updated!

Related categories: Casting, Hobbit News, Movie News, Opinions

C.murder

I want to see it NOW!!!!!!!!!!
Toucmyinfection

YES YES AND YES!!! OH GOD YES!!!! XD
Xerxex

Well that's good news.
Ville

Ken Stott!
A5J4DX

cant wait !!!!
beavis

"most highly anticipated" is absolutely correct alex!
chirp

No Idea why they would be bringing back Galadriel's character as she is Not in the Hobbit and there is absolutly no mention of her in the book either..
Voice of Reason

Cate, I love you, please call me back.
Happy Camper

Cate is golden!
filmfan111

OMFG!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!
tir na nog

Stoot is a great actor,see him in The Boxer with Daniel day lewis.
http://atlantapaintershq.com/ Atlanta Painters HQ

Cate Blanchett’s character is an elf, and elves do not age – but the actress is now 10 years older. Isn’t that going to be a problem? Or are they going to use some computer wizardry to erase the wrinkles? Also, is anyone else feeling twitchy there has been no announcement on Ian McKellen’s return? Has his deal fallen through?
Jeeze

#12 Maybe they will do to Cate what the makers of Benjamin Button did to Brad Pitt. That said it would have been interesting who Peter Jackson would have casted as Galadrial if Cate wasn't an option. Of course the problem with that is there aren't many young actresses that resemble Cate. The only one I can think of that does resemble Cate is Mia Wasikowska.