There has been a development in the long awaited double instalment that takes us back to the wonderful world of Middle Earth. It has been rumoured that Ian Mckellen would return as Gandalf the Grey and that other names had been thrown about (Andy Serkis, Cate Blanchett, James Nesbitt).
Now, a whole host of vertically challenged characters have been confirmed with actors behind them. The hobbit himself, that is Bilbo Baggins to you non-nerds, is to be played by English actor Martin Freeman. Of all the candidates named in a 2009 issue of Empire magazine, i have to say that Freeman one of my most doubtful. But stick on some hairy feet and chain mail vest and he’ll be on his way to fulfilling the prestigious role.
As for the dwarves, let’s just say there’s quite a few of them. And what an… interesting selection. There’s certainly some familiar faces in terms of British television. Along with Freeman there is BBC Three’s Being Human star Aidan Turner to play the character of Kili. From Walford to the Mines of Moria, Fili the brother of i’m sure you can guess who is to be played by Rob Kazinsky. This is certainly a change in acting stance from being Stacy Slater’s Psychotic brother Sean. The leader of these little people, to put it in a politically correct manner, is Thorin who is to be played by Richard Armitage, who is most well known for his part in Spooks.
(Pictures Ordered As Mentioned Above)
Other Dwarves named: Graham McTavish (Dwalin), John Callen (Oin), Stephen Hunter (Bombur), Mark Hadlow (Dori), Peter Hambleton (Gloin). Characters still to be named include Ori and Nori (possibly making up a set of triplets with Dori?), Bifur and Balin (The dead dwarf whose tomb hosts a memorable battle scene in The Fellowship.)
The dork/10 year old boy inside me is greatly looking forward to this double parted epic which began the trilogy that took the world by storm.
Ollie Argent
