Casting The Hobbit?

[Farael]

An interesting voice for Smaug would be Kiefer Sudderland (Spelling?) or "Jack Bauer" from 24. I can't quite define his voice, but it has that sort of "charm" that I'd expect from Smaug... or maybe that's just me being a huge 24 fan

[Mithalwen]

But I wouldn't want Ian McKellen back... I really didn't find his portrayal exceptional (preferred another Shakespearean knight, Michael Hordern in the radio version ) and hearing his voice inthe trailer for The Da Vinci code ..I just hought "its gandalf talking to Frodo again.." .. may be another Ian ..Ian RIchardson would be interesting.

I think Jeremy Irons would be a good choice for the Master ... . Or how about Rufus Sewell..?

I would have my darling Hugo back as Elrond and wonderful Bill Nighy as Galion the butler.

Jason Isaacs as Thranduil would be wonderful I think and maybe Paul Rhys as Bard the Bowman - though he could be an elf the book does say the Elvenking was golden haired.... if I am not allowed Hugo back, he can be Elrond and Toby Stephens or Hugh Jackman can be Bard.

I am really struggling with Bilbo - I am trying to think of someone who is about the right generation and type .. My best attempt is Michael C Hall who although not a perfect match physically has that wonderful ability to play complex characters sympathetically and believably. I can't think of anyone better to get both the Took and Baggins traits across ... but others may, and get a better physique du role.

Thorin - I would choose Simon Russell Bealehere

Bofur would be Richard Griffiths

Beorn ...is it possible to get beyond Brian Blessed?

Alan Rickman would be fab as voice of Smaug if he could be borrowed from HP

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

Johan Hegg must take time out from his Viking sagas to play the part of Beorn.

[Boromir88]

An interesting voice for Smaug would be Kiefer Sudderland~Farael

I fully agree about Kiefer (don't know how to spell his last name either) having a great voice for Smaug. I don't know if you've seen the movie Phone Booth? It wasn't all that great (mainly because it's got Colin Ferell) but that doesn't take away from Kiefer's great performance. For 99% of the movie Kiefer is just the voice in the phone booth talking to Colin, and I know exactly what you mean.

But I wouldn't want Ian McKellen back... I really didn't find his portrayal exceptional~Mithalwen

When I see Elrond in FOTR I can't stop thinking of Agent Smith, but that doesn't take away from the fact that Mr. Weaving is a great and accomplished actor. You definitely have to see V for Vendetta. That's what happens I think to actors when they star/lead in such ground-breaking movies...when they play in a different movie, you just can't stop thinking about their previous character in a different movie.

When I watched X-men I could not stop thinking of Magdalf and Captain Xacard...but that doesn't take away from the fact that both Mckellan and Stewart are amazing actors with such great and powerful voices.

I mean PJ's first choice for Gandalf was Sam Neil...I love Sam Neil's movies, but he's just not the kind of person I think of as Gandalf...and quite frankly if he got the role, I think Gandalf would have been an awful character. Despite my love for Mr. Neil, I don't think Middle-earth movies are his type of thing...and certainly can't imagine him playing someone like Gandalf.

I do agree with Alan Rickman though...if he could be taken away from the HP movies that is. Besides Sean Bean, he's probably my favorite actor that plays in a wide range of different roles and movies. I guess if Rickman's agent wanted to he could be like Cyclop's (don't know the actors name) agent for the X-men movies...just say forget X-3 you're going to be playing in Superman.

Eomer, oooh love that choice for Beorn.

[Farael]

Originally Posted by Boromir88

I fully agree about Kiefer (don't know how to spell his last name either) having a great voice for Smaug. I don't know if you've seen the movie Phone Booth? It wasn't all that great (mainly because it's got Colin Ferell) but that doesn't take away from Kiefer's great performance. For 99% of the movie Kiefer is just the voice in the phone booth talking to Colin, and I know exactly what you mean.

It wasn't really a bad movie.... it was.... interesting. And yeah, he has an awesome voice, I had totally forgotten about that example.

When I see Elrond in FOTR I can't stop thinking of Agent Smith, but that doesn't take away from the fact that Mr. Weaving is a great and accomplished actor. You definitely have to see V for Vendetta. That's what happens I think to actors when they star/lead in such ground-breaking movies...when they play in a different movie, you just can't stop thinking about their previous character in a different movie.

That's why all LoTR actors are stuck with their LoTR names... there's a movie by the actor who plays Aragorn (I can't remember his name right now... see?) that's called "Rage" or something like that... first thing my friend said when we saw it at Blockbusters was "That's Aragorn after Arwen left him for Legolas"

[Mithalwen]

Originally Posted by Boromir88

When I see Elrond in FOTR I can't stop thinking of Agent Smith, but that doesn't take away from the fact that Mr. Weaving is a great and accomplished actor. You definitely have to see V for Vendetta. That's what happens I think to actors when they star/lead in such ground-breaking movies...when they play in a different movie, you just can't stop thinking about their previous character in a different movie.

Well with Hugo, I think he is different in each movie, I know he played other parts, as I know Cate Blanchett and Bernard Hill played other parts but it is more wonderment that though I know they are the same actor they are not the same. Alan Rickman is so distinctive but I don't think "Truly, Madly Deeply" (an all time favourite) when he plays Snape. I just feel Gandalf never quite won out over Ian McKellen. Also I heard a few interviews where he was quite snide about Tolkien....grrr , Chances are if PJ does the Hobbit, McKellen will be Gandalf but this is my casting and I am allowed to consider who I would really like to see tackle the role - Jonathan Pryce (another chamaeleon) would be splendid. I saw his Macbeth at Stratford many years ago and it was spellbinding. An he is another of my heart throbs, which Ian McKellen certainly isn't...

[Boromir88]

I adore Jonathan Pryce, I mean anyone who has seen Brazil will fall in love with the man...no joke. (A movie where if I remember Ian Holm is also in.)

[radagastly]

there's a movie by the actor who plays Aragorn (I can't remember his name right now... see?)

Viggo Mortensen

An interesting voice for Smaug would be Kiefer Sudderland (Spelling?)

Kiefer Sutherland. His father is Donald Sutherland who was in the original movie of M*A*S*H and Ordinary People, among many others. They're both good actors.

I guess I've always thought of Hugh Jackman as Bard. The role would have to be somehow expanded or enhanced, since it's the leading man. You'd probably have to inject a love interest to keep that part of the story moving until Bilbo and company catch up to it.

Casting Beorn is more interesting. You could go with Robbie Coltrane but you'd just end up with Hagrid. Someone else should have a turn. I'll have to think on it. It should be someone wild enough to pull off their part in the final battle.

There are so many dwarves that they would probably end up as a mixture of famous cameos and unknowns. I'd have to re-read the book before answering in order to get them all just right.

Thorin has an air of aristocracy about him. Perhaps Jason Isaacs, who played Malfoy senior in Harry Potter ? Not sure on that one myself, yet.

[Mithalwen]

Having watched Dustin Hoffman promoting his latest film ..I really would love to see him play Thorin, and Simon Russell Beale to do Bombur instead ....

Think about it...