Hobbit News

For those of you who haven't been keeping up on the saga that has been Peter Jackson's two upcoming Hobbit movies, here's some news:

They're scheduled to start filming next month with Jackson at the helm for at least Part 1. Ian McKellen just now confirmed that he is on board to reprise the role of Gandalf. He reportedly seriously considered passing on the role as he didn't think anyone would really care, pointing out "does anyone care that Michael Gambon was not the first to play Dumbledore?"

Somehow Elijah Wood is signed on to play Frodo, who does not appear in the novel.

(Sir Ian McKellen, Elijah Wood Return for The Hobbit)

But that's not all. Cate Blanchett will be playing Galadriel, who also does not appear in the novel. Orlando Bloom will reportedly make $1 million for a 2 minute cameo as Legolas, who is also not in The Hobbit. And Dominic Monaghan will reprise his also Hobbit-absent role of Merri. I guess Pippin and Sam didn't make the cut.

Jackson insists all these inexplicable appearances will be organic. Diana wonders if they will be flash-forwards.

Martin Freeman will play the role of Bilbo. You might know him from the recent BBC show Sherlock or perhaps the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy movie, Shaun of the Dead, or the original British version of The Office. In any case, he's a great choice (as long as it doesn't interfere with shooting the second season of Sherlock).