Hobbit casting begins this week?

[Emmie]

Casting on “The Hobbit” begins this week, with wide auditions expected for each part except Gandalf, which is being reserved for Ian McKellen, who played the wizard in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy. “We’re auditioning for every role,” Jackson said in an interview, adding he is a big believer in casting a wide net to better match actors with the roles.
“What we’ve done over the years is discover a lot of interesting actors, like Orlando Bloom (in 'Rings'), Kate Winslet (in 'Heavenly Creatures'), Saoirse Ronan (in 'The Lovely Bones'). So if you start looking and auditioning seriously, it’s amazing what incredible talent you’ll find out there.”Source: http://www.heatvisionblog.com/2009/12/peter-jackson-says-hobbit-casting-begins-this-week.html

Hmm. From other recent news articles, I was under the impression that it had already started. And weren't there some official reports from the beginning of the year that said Bilbo had been narrowed down to three actors? Didn't Ian McKellen say he had a pretty good idea who would play Bilbo?

In any case, I'm glad to hear that they're continuing the tradition of considering completely unknown actors for lead roles.

[MithrilBox]

A while ago there were some conflicting things, with del toro saying one thing and jackson saying another a few weeks later. So either they changed their mind, or were in disagreement, or one of them wasn't telling the truth... or something

I agree that its a good idea to audition lesser known actors though.

[Sam]

I really want to see who they cast as Bilbo, I'm glad Ian is returning :)

[Lanyare]

Curiosity is killing me, lol... But I'm also very glad that Ian McKellen is returning as Gandalf, at least. From the first picture I saw of him as Gandal, it struck me how much he IS Gandalf.

Hopefully they can have as many of the original actors returning if any of their characters have to make an appearance in the movies.
Hmm, anyone know anything about Hugo Weaving? Elrond IS in the Hobbit as well, so his reappearence would even be ligit!

[Sam]

I also saw something that said Aragorn will have somthing to do with the movie, maybe a cameo appearance?

[Lanyare]

I'll be absolutely delighted to see Aragorn return, but Viggo's got to be playing him again, then. He was perfect in the trilogy.
It all depends a bit on what that second movie will be about, I suppose. From what I've heard, it's supposed to be the events between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. So if you ask me, Aragorn could very well be in there. It was he who hunted down Gollum after all, with Gandalf, is it not?

[Alyssa]

The original plan was to have the second movie cover the events between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, but as they were writing the scripts they decided to do the Hobbit movie in two parts. So, unfortunately, I don't think it would make sense for Aragorn to be in the movies.

Of course, they could always do a third movie to cover the events in between. :D That's what I've been hoping for since I first heard that the story of The Hobbit would be spread over two movies. But since they won't be filming a third one at the same time, they would have to go back to do it after the two Hobbit movies come out, and by that time not all of the actors may be available (and I'm not sure that it could work without Ian McKellen.)

[Lanyare]

Ooh, so the two movies will be exclusively The Hobbit, then? Then it would indeed not make much sense to have Aragorn appear in there. Ah well, I'll survive that, lol. I prefer them to stick as close to the story as possible.

Oh, and there's another I'm curious for: Thranduil! :D

[Emmie]

That is indeed the plan, from what I've heard. :) I'm glad they will be able to tell the story of The Hobbit without cutting too many scenes from the book.

Regarding casting news, it looks as though there is some activity in New Zealand: http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2009/12/12/34633-new-zeeland-casting-for-the-hobbit-to-begin-on-monday/

[Sam]

If I lived down in New Zealand I'd have to go for an audition, just so I could say, 'Yep I tried that Hobbit film' :D

[Emmie]

Haha. Would be funny if someone did that and got a major role, though. :D

[Lanyare]

Hehe, I'd actually LOVE to be in there as well, but seeing as there will only be one female, I doubt I'd make much of a chance even if I lived anywhere near New Zealand.