Man, I am one HAPPY dragon

Plot: Bilbo Baggins, a Hobbit, journeys to the Lonely Mountain accompanied by a group of dwarves to reclaim a treasure taken from them by the dragon Smaug.

www.imdb.com/title/tt0903624/

2012 huh? Wonder what they'll make of it

I know, I have been in a cave for a while now, but for those not keeping up with the films, a lot has changed recently. I thought it would be nice to post the information I have gathered thus far, for those not watching how things are progressing.

- Peter Jackson has replaced Guillermo del Toro as director, which means essentially that Jackson will be screenplay writer, producer, and director of both films. The writing team from the LOTR

- Both films? - Yes, Jackson and Del Toro agreed that the characters, and history of middle earth between the time the Hobbit ended, and Fellowship began should be explored in more depth. Some examples of this would be references to the Necromancer (AKA Sauron to those not familiar with the history of Middle earth), The White Council, and even expanding the story in-between the timeframe in the Hobbit book/mvoie when Gandalf leaves the Bilbo/Dwarf party as they travel through Mirkwood in the mains storyline.

Confirmed Cast:

-Martin Freeman, who has starred in Sherlock, The Office, The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, among many other projects, has been cast as the new Bilbo Baggins.

-Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield;

-Cate Blanchett as Galadriel;

-Jed Brophy as Nori;

-Adam Brown as Ori;

-John Callen as Oin;

-Ryan Gage as Drogo Baggins;

-Mark Hadlow as Dori;

-Peter Hambleton as Gloin;

-Stephen Hunter as Bombur;

-Robert Kazinsky as Fili;

-William Kircheras Bifur;

-Sir Ian McKellen as Gandalf the Grey;

-Sylvester McCoy as Radagast the Brown;

-Graham McTavish as Dwalin;

-James Nesbitt as Bofur;

-Mikael Persbrandt as Beorn;

-Ken Stott as Balin;

-Aidan Turner as Kili.

Rumored Cast:

- Bill Nighy and Leonard Nimoy have been rumoured to be providing the voice of Smaug.

- Saoirse Ronan as Itaril (a female elf who is original to the film).

- Andy Serkis is in negotiations to reprise the role of Gollum.

- Hugo Weaving is in negotiations to return as Elrond.

- Orlando Bloom is reportly in talks to reprise the role of Legolas.

More rumors and information later this week.

And now it seems Frodo will make a cameo

www.theonering.net/tor...he-hobbit/

Cool, Just got around to reading the Hobbit. Figured it was time now that im in Middle Earth. The LOTR is also in the list to be read. Cant wait for the film.

I know 'Gandalf' was having dinner not 20mins walk from where im currently at the other day before leaving to go finish filming.

Was it the actor Ian McKellen? It is rumored he is due to be Gandalf in the new movie, but nothing has been confirmed.

From the Hollywood Reporter:

Ian McKellen has signed on to return as wizard Gandalf in The Hobbit, the two-pic adaptation of the J.R.R. Tolkien novel being directed by Peter Jackson.

The dealmaking on Hobbit for a slew of Jackson veterans from his Lord of the Rings trilogy has been coming fast and furious and comes on the heels of Andy Serkis finally inking his deal to reprise Gollum.

The Hobbit book introduced Gandalf and Gollum, with both characters going on to become part of literature’s most popular characters. Gandalf sets the adventure going in the story and appears throughout the novel. Gollum appears in a chapter that has gone on to be one of the most memorable in all of fantasy literature.

Elijah Wood signed his deal to return as Frodo last week, and Cate Blanchett will play Galadriel once again. Orlando Bloom has an offer to return as elf archer Legolas, though it’s too early to tell if a deal will be made.

McKellen, who was nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of Gandalf, has spent recent years doing mostly voice work for film and TV, although he did star in the remake of AMC's The Prisoner. His last major film role was in 2006’s X-Men: The Last Stand.

Hobbit starts shooting Feb. 14 in New Zealand.

Cool, cant wait. And yea it was him. Believe hes off currently filming now.

Hey Thanks for sharing the Link with us..I was looking for this type of Movie so like to get it Guys......

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I am all YES about making the 3rd Hobbit movie. I love middle earth that I get to enjoy another 2-3 hours in it tickles me all the more.