Cast the First Hobbit

[ainur]

At the press conference following the Oscars, Peter Jackson said that New Line has the rights to make a film of "The Hobbit," but that MGM holds the distribution rights. He also said that their respective lawyers are negotiating and that he would definitely be interested in directing, if they can get it worked out. He wants to keep it within the same look and mythology, consistent with LotR, so it would probably start with the same casting from LotR (Ian Holm as Bilbo, Ian McKellan as Gandalf, Andy Serkis as Gollum, etc.) and go from there (if possible). This would also, in my opinion, result in a film that has a darker tone and more adult approach than "The Hobbit" book, which was intended as a children's story. That's not necessarily a bad thing, though, as long as the story is essentially the same.

As for casting, I would like to see the story "opened up" to include the White Council, as it would explain Gandalf's frequent departures, and set up the Necromancer as Sauron. That would then include Cate Blanchett and Christopher Lee reprising their roles. Should we see Orlando Bloom in Mirkwood? Briefly, I think, yes. Might Aragorn and Arwen have been at Imladris when the dwarves came trooping through?--there's a couple more cameos.

As for the other major characters: The dwarves would all be in heavy make-up, so their look would matter less than their personality on camera. It should probably be a mix of well-known actors and up-and-coming young stars. The keys here are Thorin (for obvious reasons), Balin (more because of his mention in LotR in Moria) Gloin (to tie Gimli into the story some way) Bombur (mostly for comic relief) and Fili and Kili (young heart-throbs under the make-up.) So:

Thorin: For some reason, Michael Douglas comes to mind, maybe because of the haughty conceit he displays while still maintaining some appeal.

Balin: Warm and courteous, yet still a dwarf--difficult to pull off. I see Patrick Stewart.

Gloin: John Rhys-Davies would not be out of line here, especially since Gimli doesn't make an appearance in this story.

Bombur: Jack Black? maybe.

Fili and Kili: Who knows. "King Kong" will take two years to complete, and that's longer than the average half-life of a young heart-throb's career. It could be anyone by then.

Thranduil: Why not Sean Connery? (if New Line can deal with his publicist--his face must always be the largest image on the poster, etc.)

Beorn: No ideas right now. I'll edit this if I think of someone.

Bard: Definitely the leading man type. Matthew McConaughey comes to mind, but it kind of depends on where you want to go with the character.

"Bard's leading lady": I know there's no such character in the book, but to make the movie commercial, you gotta have one. This would depend a lot on finding someone who has chemistry with whomever is cast as Bard.

[Thorongil]

If Ian Holm is too old to play Bilbo in The Hobbit, shouldn't he be too old for LOTR too? I mean, after he got the ring, he looked like he hadn't aged a day, right?

[dragoneyes]

after he got the ring, he looked like he hadn't aged a day, right?

Well, that can be debated, I personally think Gandalf had a memory lapse; Bilbo's hair had gone grey for goodness' sake!

[Thorongil]

Well, did the whole Shire have a memory lapse then? I don't have a quote right now, but it says in the book that people started to notice that he didn't seem to get older after he returned from the quest.

The more Jeremy Irons gets mentioned, the more I see him as Thranduil.

[ElberethVarda]

Hobbits are not Scottish.

But Billy Boyd is...

I would love to Andy Serkis as Gollum, Ian Holm as Gandalf, Ian Mckellan as Gandalf and Hugo Weaving as Elrond. 'Twould be nice to have the four hobbits from LOTR be domran crowd hobbits. Yes, methinks that would be spiff.

[elle]

I think that Craig Parker would do a great Smaug voice. He did do some of the voice of the RingWraiths, and other characters.

[dkhyrosha]

Here's my two cents:

Bilbo: Ian Holm, you'd be supprised what make-up can do

Smaug: voice would be really cool with James Earl Jones!

Gandalf: Ian McKellen (I can't spell his name)

and if Orlando make his appearance, I will be very happy

As for everyone else, I haven't the slightest idea

[Son of Númenor]

Bilbo: Vern Troyer
Gandalf: John Cleese
Oakenshield: Tim Curry (equipped with the accent he had in Congo)
Thranduil: Gene Hackman

I think my choices are pretty self-explanatory. Any objections?

[One of the Nine]

Ok, here's what I think:

For Smaug, I really think it should be Andy Serkis, the same with gollum. For Bilbo, they should get some young unknown that looks like Ian Holm, not Ian Holm himself. He's way way way too old. I do think that Legolas should make some uncanny appearance, but just when it seems that he couldn't. For the dwarves, I think they should get a whole new group. For Gandalf, no doubt in my mind it should be Ian McKellen, or however you spell his name.

As for the news about PJ actually making the Hobbit, I haven't heard anything definate, but I do believe that he might make it. At least that's what I've heard.

[Memory of Trees]

I'm sure about PJ doing "The Hobbit" yet, either. Last I heard, New Line Cinema hand't asked him yet. I sure hope they don't! "The Hobbit" is a light-hearted children's book, and Mr. Jackson would turn it into something dark for sure. He did that with LOTR, except that it's supposed to be dark. And hey, I cut him some slack - the guy makes obscure zombie movies, for goodness sake! But anyhow, if he's going to have to do it anyway, here's what I have to say.

I disagree that Ian Holm's too old to play Bilbo, although he IS practically a living fossil. I still think he could do an adequate job; besides, it would be weird for someone else to do it!

Andy Serkis for Gollum AND Smaug? I hadn't ever thought of that... Weird. Definetely weird.

I want John Rhys-Davies back as Balin. That would be perfect!