Check out this 1st pic of Lee Pace as Legolas' hot Elvenking dad Thranduil

I wrote the post about it on Blastr so you can go check it out and see Thranduil in glorious high-res over there.

There's also a pic of the White Council including Saruman (Christopher Lee), Gandalf (Sir Ian McKellen), Galadriel (Cate Blanchett), and Elrond (Hugo Weaving).

1st AMAZING look at Being Human's Aidan Turner as Kili in Peter Jackson's The Hobbit

Finally! The one we've all been waiting for, our very first look of actor Aidan Turner (Being Human's vampire, Mitchell)as Kili in Peter Jackson's The Hobbit, the upcoming sequel/prequel to The Lord of the Rings.

And if you were afraid all that dwarf makeup would hide Turner's total hotness, well you'll be really, really happy to see they've kept his smouldering looks relatively intact.

Take a look below:

1st look at Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins: and look! The Dwarves too!

There it is! Our first official look at Martin Freeman as a young Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson's upcoming The Hobbit 2-part film.

We're also getting our very first glimpse at the dwarves accompanying Bilbo on his journey (or rather, it's Bilbo who's actually accompanying the dwarves on their journey, thanks to Gandalf), with a direct view at Richard Armitage (Spooks) as Thorin Oakenshield (I wonder where Being Human's Aidan Turner is in there... hmmmm).

I have to say the dwarves are not as colorful as they're described in J.R.R Tolkien's book, but that's more in keeping with the look of Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

And Freeman does look wonderful as Bilbo, doesn't he?

You can see more pics over at Entertainment Weekly

It's Official! Orlando Bloom is back as Legolas for The Hobbit!

While we all knew it was coming, Peter Jackson has just made it official: Orlando Bloom will be back to playing everyone’s favourite Elf Legolas in The Hobbit, the prequel/sequel to The Lord of the Rings.

Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch to join Peter Jackson's The Hobbit!

In what is absolutely AWESOME news, seems that Sherlock himself, actor Benedict Cumberbatch, will be joining the cast of Peter Jackson's The Hobbit!

That’s what Cumberbatch’s co-star, actor Martin Freeman (who plays the younger Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson's two-parter prequel to The Lord of the Rings), let slip when the duo picked up the BAFTA award for Best Drama for Sherlock on Sunday.

Sherlock's Martin Freeman may play Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit!

Yesterday, a story broke in The Sun that beloved British actor Martin Freeman -- hot off a successful run on BBC's Sherlock as Dr. Watson -- had been in the run to play the lead role in The Hobbit, that the actor had been offered a seven figure deal, and that he sadly had to turn it down because of his commitment to film the second series of Sherlock.

Seventh Doctor Sylvester McCoy set to play a wizard in 'The Hobbit'!

First off – fear not! Ian McKellen is still Gandalf, but Sylvester McCoy (who was the seventh Doctor on Doctor Who) is in contention to play a huge role in The Hobbit, and the role McCoy is set to play is that of another important wizard in the Lord of the Rings lore.

Peter Jackson Already Looking to Cast the Hobbit!

Peter Jackson is a man of no fear and expediency!

Despite the fact that The Hobbit is still on the back burner and has not yet been greenlight by MGM, the director is apparently quietly meeting up with actors in stops that include Los Angeles, New York and the UK.

Jackson himself is apparently close to signing a deal with Warner Bros to direct The Hobbit two-parter, in the wake of Guillermo del Toro's departure in May.

And the New Director of The Hobbit Will Be . . .

Well, according to Heat Vision Blog, the new director for the two The Hobbit movies will be none other than Peter Jackson himself!!!

After Guillermo Del Toro had to step down from directing the movies due to MGM woes and delays, speculations were running wild as to who would direct the prequel to The Lord of the Rings Trilogy.

Seems the right man for the job may be back at the helm, as Jackson has now entered negotiations to direct the two movies.
 [Heat Vision Blog]

Do you think that Peter Jackson is still the right man to direct The Hobbit or would you rather have a new director at the helm?

The Hobbit Movies Update

After all the talks about filming starting in June and then July, we now have some news as to when shooting will now apparently begin for the long-awaited The Hobbit movies. As well, we also have some news as to the status of the two scripts, and the possibility that it will shoot in 3D (Lord help us. Though OK, it would probably be great to see The Hobbit in 3D but I'm expecting massive headaches):

Another Delay for The Hobbit?

The return to Middle-Earth may be taking a while longer than expected. TheOneRing.net has recently posted the story that MGM's financial woes may cause delays in the start of the production of The Hobbit movies.

Apparently, the studio is $3.7 billion in debt. MGM holds the distribution rights to The Hobbit whereas Warner Brothers is the studio making the movie. The two studios have an agreement to produce and distribute The Hobbit but MGM's debt and the fact that it may be sold could put a wrench in the start of the production.

The OneRing's source said that:

At this stage we are all working and hoping for the best case scenario. Without a doubt, the MGM situation carries great importance.

There is even confusion as to the movie's release date which could either be in 2011 or in 2012. 2012 seems to be the most logical one.

Just recently, Sir Ian McKellen had declared that the movie would start shooting in July of this year in New Zealand.

Source

The Hobbit to start filming in June

I am a huge fan of Peter Jackson's masterpiece trilogy, The Lord of the Rings. So naturally, I'm really looking forward to seeing The Hobbit, which is young Bilbo Baggins' story and the prequel to The Lord of the Rings.

Apparently, Sir Ian McKellen has recently confirmed that the movie will start filming in June of this year in New Zealand, where he will reprise the role of Gandalf the Grey.

The Hobbit will be made in two films and casting is underway in Los Angeles, New York and London. Filming will be done over the course of a year.

Expected to return are Hugo Weaving as Elrond, Andy Serkis as Gollum and Cate Blanchett as Galadriel.

The movie will be directed by Guillermo del Toro and Peter Jackson will produce.

Of course the most pressing question on most people's mind is who will get to play the young Bilbo Baggins. Rumours have pegged a few actors for the role, including James McAvoy, Tobey Maguire and David Tennant.

Who would be your favourite for the role?

*Update

Sir Ian McKellen's website now puts the start of the filming of The Hobbit in July

Source

Tobey Maguire Cast as Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit?

This morning, rumors and stories have started claiming that ex-Spiderman lead Tobey Maguire has actually signed on to be Bilbo Baggins in the upcoming movie The Hobbit.

Apparently, Peter Jackson and Del Toro have been after Maguire for months :

Last night a source told The Sun: "The Hobbit team are deep in the casting process.
"Everyone is over the moon. Tobey is not only one of the most recognisable faces in Hollywood, he is also one of the best actors."

The story was broken in The Sun, so it's still to be taken with a grain of salt.

But it could be true. Myself, I can very well see Maguire as a young Bilbo Baggins.

The Movie will be produced by Peter Jackson, with Guillermo Del Toro directing. Filming is set to commence this summer, and the movie will be split in two with part one airing in 2011 and part 2 in 2012.