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Comedian Stephen Colbert has revealed (sort of) that he will have a cameo appearance in one of the later Hobbit movies, but not the first picture.

Colbert teased his involvement with Playboy recently in an interview where he said that he "Could be" in a scene or two.

Checking in with one of their sources, The Hollywood Reporter then added that Colbert will be spotted in the second or third Hobbit movies but definately not the first, An Unexpected Journey.

Scottish comedian/actor Billy Connolly is a late addition to the cast of The Hobbit films. He'll play a dwarf character named Dain Ironfoot, a cousin to Thorin Oakenshield (played in the films by Richard Armitage). Dain is also considered a mighty warrior by his people.

"We could not think of a more fitting actor to play Dain Ironfoot, the staunchest and toughest of Dwarves, than Billy Connelly, the Big Yin himself," said the director in a studio issued press release. "With Billy stepping into this role, the cast of The Hobbit is now complete. We can't wait to see him on the Battlefield!" [Full story]

"She’s actually the head of the Elven guard," said Evangeline Lilly about the Elvish character Tauriel she plays in the Hobbit films. "She’s the big shot in the army. So she knows how to wield any weapon, but the primary weapons that she uses are a bow and arrow and two daggers. And she’s lethal and deadly. You definitely wouldn’t want to be caught in a dark alley next to Tauriel."

Lilly's Tauriel only has a short appearance in the first Hobbit movie but has much more to do in There and Back Again. [Full story]

A trio of Hobbit photos have been published in the pages of Entertainment Weekly's latest issue. We've got our first look at Martin Freeman as the young Bilbo (seen on the right), Sir Ian McKellen as Gandalf the Grey and a behind-the-scenes photo showing director Peter Jackson and Freeman discussing a scene inside Bilbo's Hobbiton home.

Look at all three images in the gallery section for the film.

Luke Evans is a late addition to the cast of The Hobbit. He'll play the part of Bard the Bowman, a character introduced later on in the Tolkien novel, which may mean that the character will appear in the second of the two movies.

Evans starred in the remake of Clash of the Titans as Apollo and will also appear as Zeus in Tarsem Singh's Immortals, out later this year.

Now we know what character Benedict Cumberbatch will play in the Hobbit films, and it's a sizeable role indeed. The Sherlock star will provide the voice for the dragon Smaug, hoarder of the gold inside the Lonely Mountain and the primary adversary in both Hobbit movies.

Peter Jackson confirmed today that Orlando Bloom will be reprising his role as Legolas in The Hobbit pictures now filming in New Zealand.

"Ten years ago, Orlando Bloom created an iconic character with his portrayal of Legolas. I'm excited to announce today that we'll be revisiting Middle Earth with him once more," Jackson said via his Facebook page. "I’m thrilled to be working with Orlando again. Funny thing is, I look older—and he doesn’t! I guess that's why he makes such a wonderful elf."

Flight of the Conchords member Bret McKenzie has nabbed a part in The Hobbit. The New Zealand-born songwriter and singer will play an Elf in the film, though we don't know what his character's name will be.

New Line Cinema has announced that filming on the two Hobbit movies has started in New Zealand.

The studio also released two photos showing director Peter Jackson in Bilbo's home in The Shire, as well as this overview of the story:

"The Hobbit follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor, which was long ago conquered by the dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakensheild. Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Giant Spiders, Shapeshifters and Sorcerers.

"Although their goal lies to the East and the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain first they must escape the goblin tunnels, where Bilbo meets the creature that will change his life forever … Gollum.

"Here, alone with Gollum, on the shores of an underground lake, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths of guile and courage that surprise even him, he also gains possession of Gollum’s 'precious' ring that holds unexpected and useful qualities … A simple, gold ring that is tied to the fate of all Middle-earth in ways Bilbo cannot begin to know."

Lensing will take place around the country and in Stone Street Studios in Wellington. Both films will be shot in digital 3D.

With Ian McKellen, Andry Serkis and Elijah Wood now confirmed to star in the Hobbit films, one wonders if Christopher Lee is being asked to come back and play his white wizard character Saruman in the new movies.

An answer of sorts has arrived via Lee's official website and a statement posted today on it concerning the actor's availability for The Hobbit: "Sir Christopher Lee had been in talks to reprise his role as the wizard Saruman and it now looks certain, providing that he is in good health, that he will be appearing in the movie."

Lord of the Rings movie fans can breathe a sigh of relief now that both Sir Ian McKellen and Andy Serkis have signed on to reprise their roles as Gandalf the Grey and Gollum, respectively, in the two Hobbit movies. Additionally, Elijah Wood will make a surprise return to The Shire of Middle-earth and once again play Frodo Baggins, the character he portrayed in all three Lord of the Rings movies.

In the time leading up to today's announcement, both McKellen and Serkis had been notably absent from the spate of casting announcements issued by Warner Bros. and director Peter Jackson. While there still are important parts left to fill for The Hobbit (such as the voice of Smaug, the dragon), McKellen and Serkis were both heavily liked by fans of Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy. Had they not participated in The Hobbit films there's would have been a sizeable absence felt.

McKellen was the first made the announcement on his website:

All I had to decide was what to do with the time that is given me.

I’m 71 and fit: though at my age who knows what accident is 'round the next corner?  For a year or more, I have been arranging my professional commitments around the possibility of The Hobbit films starting at almost anytime.  We brought the Waiting for Godot tour of Australia to New Zealand early 2010, assuming I would stay on to start shooting soon after.  Then there was yet another delay: but in Wellington I met with Guillermo del Toro and later read his script for Part One, written with the LOTR writing team.  It was true to the style, the fun and the romance of the trilogy.

When Peter Jackson, already producing, resumed the director’s chair, he kept me in touch with developments.  A second screenplay was sent over, on the understanding that I would not talk about what I read in it.

After the ruckus over trade union expectations and unlikely rumours of filming outside New Zealand, suddenly crucial casting was announced, plus a start date in February 2011.  Martin Freeman as Bilbo sounds perfect.  As my agent continued to negotiate with Warner Brothers, I kept wondering was Gandalf what I most wanted to do, more than a new play for instance or indeed a new part?  Sequels aren’t necessarily as rewarding to act in as their originals.

Could I let Gandalf go?  Would anyone else care if I did?  Elsewhere, does anyone care that Michael Gambon was not the first to play Dumbledore?

The deciding negotiation was not about money but about dates.  Gandalf is needed on set over the next 18 months but with sizeable breaks when I can work on other projects.  My worry that I could not easily escape from Middle Earth was lifted.

I am happy to say I start filming in Wellington on February 21 2011. 

--Ian McKellen, London, January 2011

 

Regarding Serkis and Wood, Warner Bros. issued a press release confirming their involvement. "I cannot imagine returning to Middle-earth without these two wonderful actors," said Peter Jackson in the studio comment. "We began this journey together ten years ago and I couldn't be more thrilled to be working with Elijah and Andy again."

Rumor has it that Elijah Wood will be able to reprise his character of Frodo (who doesn't appear in The Hobbit story, as it's set before his birth) by appearing in the opening and closing moments of the two films. Frodo will be seen reading his uncle's story from his book.

The first day of filming The Hobbit takes place next month in February.

Now that Cate Blanchett is signed to play Galadriel again in The Hobbit prequels, the next returning cast member from The Lord of the Rings trilogy whose deal might close next is Orlando Bloom (who played the elven archer Legolas). Sources tell Deadline that Bloom's contract is the closest to closing next out of the other returning Rings cast (such as Viggo Mortensen, Iam McKellen and Hugo Weaving.)

Cate Blanchett has signed on to reprise her role as Galadriel in The Hobbit prequel movies. "Cate is one of my favorite actors to work with and I couldn't be more thrilled to have her reprise the role she so beautifully brought to life in the earlier films," said director Peter Jackson about the news.

Sylvester McCoy (the seventh Doctor Who) was also confirmed as playing the part of Radagast the Brown, a wizard.

Other newly announced Hobbit actors include:

• Sylvester McCoy (the seventh Doctor Who) was also confirmed as playing the part of Radagast the Brown, a wizard.
• Ken Stott (Charlie Wilson's War) will play the dwarf Lord Balin.
• Mikael Persbrandt, a Swedish actor, is playing a shapeshifter named Beorn. "The role of Beorn is an iconic one and Mikael was our first choice for the part. Since seeing him read for the role we can't imagine anyone else playing this character," commented Jackson.
• Ryan Gage (Doctors, Outlaw) will be a Hobbit named Drogo Baggins.
• Jed Brophy, from New Zealand, is playing the dwarf Nori.
• William Kircher (Legend of the Seeker) will be the dwarf Bifur.

[Full story]

James Nesbitt and Adam Brown have been now added to the growing cast of The Hobbit. Both British actors will play dwarves in the films; Nesbitt's character is named Bofur while Brown's is called Ori.

Among the roles that Nesbitt is known for are British mini-series Jekyll and Cold Feet and the Danny Boyle film Millions.