Official The Hobbit thread

[redhawk23]

That hyperbole doesn't really have much of a point for a number of reasons.

You know what else doesn't have a point? getting in an uproar over darker skinned people being turned away for roles of fictional characters that are largely recognized and traditionally illistrated and portrayed as not being dark skinned. It'd be like if they put out a call for stringy 6 foot tall men and a portly 4'6" woman got angry.

 

[Stringer]

I don't see the big deal about casting a different ethnicity for a species that doesn't even exist.

 

[corby]

Just for clarity: slavery has been illegal on English soil since the Middle Ages. Most ethnic minorities living in Britain today are descended from people who came here from the Commonwealth after WWII.

Really? I thought it was still legal up until the early 19th century

I don't see the big deal about casting a different ethnicity for a species that doesn't even exist.

What if they cast a Middle-Eastern man as Superman or an Asian actor as Bruce Wayne? These are fictional characters yet we still want studios to cast actors that fit the ethnicity of the source material. It's the same with the Hobbit, it's based on England so Hobbits should look at least slightly like native English people

 

[Stringer]

Really? I thought it was still legal up until the early 19th century



What if they cast a Middle-Eastern man as Superman or an Asian actor as Bruce Wayne? These are fictional characters yet we still want studios to cast actors that fit the ethnicity of the source material. It's the same with the Hobbit, it's based on England so Hobbits should look at least slightly like native English people

We aren't talking about main characters, just extras. I think its ridiculously petty to have a mandate that a fictional species have certain skin tone for a movie.

 

[GhostPoet]

It wouldn't even make sense to have dark skinned hobbits. The enviroment wouldn't allow for hobbits of darker skin to evolve.

 

[redhawk23]

I think its ridiculously petty to have a mandate that a fictional species have certain skin tone for a movie.

Its petty for people to cry racism! over every little thing. Itd be one thing if all the extras were going to be blue or in full costumes Mos Eisly Catina style or something, but they're not.

 

[Stringer]

It wouldn't even make sense to have dark skinned hobbits. The enviroment wouldn't allow for hobbits of darker skin to evolve.

Yet this same world has Wizards, Elves, demons, monsters, goblins, etc. Its convenient to choose "realism" when it suits the needs of the writers/production.

 

[Stringer]

Its petty for people to cry racism! over every little thing. Itd be one thing if all the extras were going to be blue or in full costumes Mos Eisly Catina style or something, but they're not.

I'm not crying racism. Its just stupid to have all these rules for material thats merely fantasy in the first place. They can add whatever they want to make believable. Its not like they're changing world history or something.

 

[JAK®]

Yet this same world has Wizards, Elves, demons, monsters, goblins, etc. Its convenient to choose "realism" when it suits the needs of the writers/production.

Even though it's fantasy real-world logic still applies. So you've created a fictional race of creatures. That doesn't mean the theory of evolution goes out the window.

 

[Stringer]

Even though it's fantasy real-world logic still applies. So you've created a fictional race of creatures. That doesn't mean the theory of evolution goes out the window.

Ok, so have some "Chinese" hobbits migrate to Middle Earth. Its not that difficult, sheesh.

 

[regwec]

Really? I thought it was still legal up until the early 19th century

No, that's a common misunderstanding. Slavery in England became illegal gradually after the Norman conquest, but from the 17th century Britain began to acquire a global empire, where no law protected native peoples against enslavement or transportation. The slave trade was only abolished after the long campaigns of William Wilberforce et al.

It's hypocritical, really, but it means that there are no great-grandsons of slaves living in Britain who are there only because their ancestors were taken into captivity. Most minorities came here for economic reasons, so theoretically race relations should be a bit less tense here than in the US. Theoretically.

 

[Boom]

NOTE: The following article has been translated from Swedish.

Nojesbladet (Swedish entertainment magazine) reveals: Mikael Persbrandt involved in LOTR sequel: He is very excited.

Mikael Persbrandt – as a hobbit.

Nojesbladet reveals that the swedish actor is ready for the Hollywood feature “The Hobbit”. - He is very excited about this, says a source.

A few weeks ago Nojesbladet revealed that Mikael Persbrandt, 47, will be starring as agent Carl Hamilton
in a new film based on Jan Guillous hit books.

Now comes the next revelation: The swedish actor has landed a role in the Hollywood megaproduction “The Hobbit” based on JRR Tolkiens book by the same name. Mikeal Persbrandts part in the blockbuster is unclear, but information points to the character having nordic ties. Persbrandt will be joining Hollywood greats such as actress Cate Blanchett and director Peter Jackson, who also directed “the Lord of the Rings” trilogy.

- He is very excited about this. He is looking forward to doing a Hollywood film, says a source.

Wardrobe testing
According to information gathered Mikael Persbrandt has already tested wardrobe which might be used in
the film. The shooting including Persbrandt will take place over the course of a few weeks in the beginning of next year. The film is planned to be released in December 2012 in the US. Mikael Persbrandts agent, Peter Jansson, is taciturn when approached by Nojesbladet.
- No comment.
Nojesbladet:
- Do you deny this information?
Jansson:
- I have no comment as regarding to it.

“Difficult and challenging”

Nojesbladet’s filmcritic Jens Peterson visited the sets of “The Two Towers” and “The Return of the King” in New Zealand. He things that Mikael Persbrandt will be met with many challenges.

- I have seen what a hard and demanding filmworld Peter Jackson creates. No Hollywood comforts there, he says.

- To land a role in “The Hobbit” must feel very special. These are films that will go on living for a long time and will most likely keep a very high artistic level. A memorable effort on “The Hobbit” will certainly lead to more roles. This is a unique chance, says Jens Peterson.

Nojesbladet has tried to reach Mikael Persbrandt for a comment, to no avail.

SOURCE: http://www.theonering.net/torwp/201...kael-persbrant-cast-in-the-hobbit/#more-40907

What do you guys think?

Thranduil? Beorn? Bard? Master of Lake-town?

 

[regwec]

He looks a bit Beorn-y to me. He could also be made to look Elfy.

 

[Spider-Who?]

Personally, I feel that any production has the right to choose and select any type of race to fit their perception of what a character should be. It has nothing to do with racism, and to see someone selecting, or calling for actors based on a race that fits within their artistic parameters being called racist is a very ignorant and ostentatious reaction.

If Jackson and Co feel that to accurately portray a Middle Earth populace requires Anglo-Saxon actors, then I absolutely do not see any issue with that at all. If Tolkien based Middle Earth on a "prehistory" of Asia, Africa, or South America, I would not cry foul if they were selective in their search for those races as well.

 

[Boom]

Los Angeles, CA—December 7, 2010

Cate Blanchett, Ken Stott, Sylvester McCoy and Mikael Persbrandt have joined the cast of Peter Jackson’s highly anticipated adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic “The Hobbit.” Also joining them are Ryan Gage, Jed Brophy and William Kircher. The films, which are scheduled to commence principal photography in February 2011, mark Jackson’s return to Middle-earth following his Oscar-winning “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. The announcement was made jointly today by Toby Emmerich, President and Chief Operating Officer, New Line Cinema, Alan Horn, President and Chief Operating Officer, Warner Bros. and Steve Cooper, co-Chief Executive Officer of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.

Jackson, who directed all three “Lord of the Rings” films, will helm the two films back-to-back, telling the story of “The Hobbit” in two parts from a screenplay by Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens and Guillermo del Toro.

Cate Blanchett (“Lord of The Rings” trilogy, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button&#8221 will reprise her role from “Lord of The Rings” trilogy as Galadriel, the Lady of Lothlorien. Ken Stott (“Charlie Wilson’s War”, TV’s “Rebus&#8221 will play the Dwarf Lord Balin, Sylvester McCoy (TV’s “Doctor Who&#8221 will play the wizard Radagast the Brown and well-known Swedish actor, Mikael Persbrandt (“Everlasting Moments”, “Day and Night&#8221 will play the shape-shifter Beorn. British actor Ryan Gage (“Outlaw”, TV’s “Doctors&#8221 will play Drogo Baggins, with New Zealand actors Jed Brophy (“Lord of The Rings” trilogy, “District 9&#8221 playing the role of the dwarf Nori, and William Kircher (“Out of the Blue”; TV’s “Legend of the Seeker&#8221 rounding out the company of Thorin Oakensheild in role of the dwarf Bifur.

Peter Jackson welcomed the news of Cate Blanchett’s return to Middle-earth “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” On the casting of Scottish actor Ken Stott, Jackson commented “Fran and I have long been fans of Ken’s work and are excited he will be joining us on this journey.” Jackson also welcomed the addition to the cast of Swedish actor, Mikael Persbrandt “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.”

The actors join the previously announced cast including Martin Freeman (TV’s “Sherlock,” “Breaking and Entering&#8221 as Bilbo Baggins, Richard Armitage (upcoming “Captain America: The First Avenger&#8221, Aidan Turner (TV’s “Being Human&#8221, Rob Kazinsky (TVs “EastEnders&#8221, Graham McTavish (“Secretariat&#8221, John Callen (TV’s “Power Rangers Jungle Fury&#8221, Stephen Hunter (TV’s “All Saints&#8221, Mark Hadlow (“King Kong&#8221 and Peter Hambleton (TV’s “The Strip&#8221. Additional cast announcements include James Nesbitt (“Millions” and TV’s “Cold Feet&#8221 and newcomer Adam Brown.

Since “The Hobbit” films received a green light on October 15, pre-production has been in full swing with release dates targeted for December, 2012 and December, 2013. Jackson will utilize groundbreaking visual effects and his incomparable storytelling to bring J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel to the big screen. Both “Hobbit” movies will be filmed in Digital 3-D, using the latest camera and stereo technology to create a high quality, comfortable viewing experience.

The two films are being co-produced by New Line Cinema and MGM, with New Line managing production, Warner Bros Pictures handling domestic distribution and MGM distributing internationally.

Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Carolynne Cunningham are producing the films, with co-writer Philippa Boyens serving as co-producer and Ken Kamins and Zane Weiner as executive producers. The Oscar-winning, critically acclaimed “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, also from the production team of Jackson, Walsh and Cunningham, grossed nearly $3 billion worldwide at the box office.. In 2003, “The Return of the King” swept the Academy Awards, winning all of the 11 categories in which it was nominated, including Best Picture – the first ever Best Picture win for a fantasy film. The trilogy’s production was also unprecedented at the time.

SOURCE: http://www.theonering.net/torwp/201...t-of-peter-jackson’s-“the-hobbit”/#more-41135

 

[Boom]

Here is our cast up to this point:

Martin Freeman ... Bilbo Baggins
Richard Armitage ... Thorin Oakenshield
Aidan Turner ... Kili
Rob Kazinsky ... Fili
Graham McTavish ... Dwalin
John Callen ... Oin
Stephen Hunter ... Bombur
Mark Hadlow ... Dori
Peter Hambleton ... Gloin
James Nesbitt ... Bofur
Adam Brown ... Ori
Ken Stott ... Balin
Jed Brophy ... Nori
William Kircher ... Bifur
Cate Blanchett ... Galadriel
Sylvestor McCoy ... Radagast the Brown
Mikael Persbrandt ... Beorn
Ryan Gage ... Drogo Baggins

 

[Octoberist]

The cool thing is that Peter Jackson loves fellow Kiwi Jed Brophy, who has been in almost all of his movies including Lord of the Rings as an Orc and other side characters. In fact, I remember watching him in an interview on Lord of the Rings: Extended Edition, talking about his relationship with Jackson, way back to his Dead Alive days.

So this is kinda cool for him because this will be his first major role in a Jackson film in a while.

 

[regwec]

As much nostalgia as I have for Sylvester McCoy from "Doctor Who", I don't at this stage accept that he is anything other than a mediocre actor.

 

[Whiskey Tango]

Here is our cast up to this point:

Martin Freeman ... Bilbo Baggins
Richard Armitage ... Thorin Oakenshield
Aidan Turner ... Kili
Rob Kazinsky ... Fili
Graham McTavish ... Dwalin
John Callen ... Oin
Stephen Hunter ... Bombur
Mark Hadlow ... Dori
Peter Hambleton ... Gloin
James Nesbitt ... Bofur
Adam Brown ... Ori
Ken Stott ... Balin
Jed Brophy ... Nori
William Kircher ... Bifur
Cate Blanchett ... Galadriel
Sylvestor McCoy ... Radagast the Brown
Mikael Persbrandt ... Beorn
Ryan Gage ... Drogo Baggins

Needs more Ian Mckellen. But yay Cate Blanchett!

 

[Boom]

Couple of thoughts.

I'm glad to see that Blanchett is back, but I am further disheartened by the lack of confirmation of McKellen's involvement. What the hell could be the hold-up?

I'm thrilled that my fear of Radagast replacing Beorn was ill-founded. For that alone, I will give Persbrandt the benefit of the doubt. Originally I had him pegged for Thranduil, but I think I could buy him as Beorn. Perhaps someone here could throw a big black beard on him.

Kevin Stott looks perfect for Balin.

Overall, though, I am unfamiliar with all of these actors, so I'm once again at Jackson's mercy.

 

[redhawk23]

Ok, so have some "Chinese" hobbits migrate to Middle Earth. Its not that difficult, sheesh.

I wasn't accusing you of crying out racism just that it happens all the time, and yes they could have migrant hobbits played by all races but I don't see why they should be mandated to, its not as if they said no non white extras and actors for the whole movie, just for extras representing a very small and secluded community.

 

[Octoberist]

I'm Asian and I don't want any Asian Hobbits in the film.

Image if I complained if Ridley Scott's Robin Hood didn't have any Asians; and if they did, they probably would have a noodle shack . You have to cast accordingly and appropriately.

 

[regwec]

It is more probable, even if massively unlikely, that some Asian merchants might have found their way to Robin Hood's England; than it is that some Asian Hobbits just appeared in a puff of Longbottom Leaf. From the perspective of the invented mythology, Asian Hobbits just don't exist. Hobbits are just a little people, hidden in the rolling countryside of Northern Arnor.

 

[Armored Avenger]

Still no official confirmation for Ian McKellen or Andy Serkis - probably the 2 most iconic characters from the Lord of the Rings films. I wonder what is holding them up.
As for the cast assembled so far, I have no problems with it and I am really looking forward to see who is cast in the remaining major roles. Bard, Thranduil and Dain seem to be the most important that come to mind.

 

[redhawk23]

Still no official confirmation for Ian McKellen or Andy Serkis - probably the 2 most iconic characters from the Lord of the Rings films. I wonder what is holding them up.
As for the cast assembled so far, I have no problems with it and I am really looking forward to see who is cast in the remaining major roles. Bard, Thranduil and Dain seem to be the most important that come to mind.

Especially since McKellens own site lists the project. I doubt we should have any doubt that both of them will be back but it is definitely strange.