Confirmed Cast So Far

"a greater role in the second film, and is somewhat reminiscent of the action-hero exploits of Viggo Mortensen’s Aragorn"

First why is he in the first film at all or do they mean greater than nothing? Second Bard only has one action scene -shooting Smaug. I do not want Bard the 'action-hero'!

I'm guessing Bard will play a big role in the battle of five armies (or more than five, should your woes become truth). No idea why he'd be in the first film, though. In Norwegian we could say "greater role in the second film" and mean he'll just have a significant role in that film, but not necessarily appear in the first. Not sure whether those words could have the same meaning in English, but I hope so.

'a greater role in the second film' begs the question greater than what? Greater than the book (and where its related to Tolkien that sentence is heresy! )

Pettytyrant101 wrote:'a greater role in the second film' begs the question greater than what? Greater than the book (and where its related to Tolkien that sentence is heresy! )

The phrase 'greater role in the second film' clearly - to me, at least - means that his role will be more prominent in the second film than in the first. Assuming that the first film ends with the death of Smaug or earlier, this makes sense and is in line with the chronology of the book. However, the statement does imply that Bard will have a role in the first film as well. This makes sense if the split is at the death of Smaug, though it makes less sense if the split is earlier. I think it's likely that the death of Smaug will be the climax of film 1, though.

And I"m sure that since PJ is making 2 films, he'll want to do backstories for main characters. So we might see some Bard in "An unexpected Journey"

Good point Tin - I think it's fairly likely that Bard will make an advance appearance before the dwarves arrive at Lake-town, sort of like Eomer did in the film version of The Two Towers.

Lets have Smaug right at the start too , ruin that as well, oh and have the eagles pop round Bag End for a chat at the beginning and Beorn can show up at the troll bit (what with that bit just been dialogue and nobobdy fighting trolls). I can see that upsetting PJ and the Coven -"What do you mean the solution is to outwit them with words? Nothing explodes? There isn't a ludicrous over the top fight that lasts 20 minutes per trolls? Couldn't I just add a disonaur or two and Beorn and Bard to make it more 'dramatic'? Maybe a cgi Legolas coming to the rescue leaping from tree top to tree top? A cameo from Aragorn?"

"I think it's likely that the death of Smaug will be the climax of film 1"- Eldo

What in the name of Valinor would film 2 be about then? Batle of Five Armies and the walk home aint going to take 3 hours!! Although it is PJ so maybe we will get a 3hour fight scene!

Aaaargh my crabbit meter is going to blow!! Take cover!

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Pettytyrant101 wrote:"I think it's likely that the death of Smaug will be the climax of film 1"- Eldo

What in the name of Valinor would film 2 be about then? Batle of Five Armies and the walk home aint going to take 3 hours!! Although it is PJ so maybe we will get a 3hour fight scene!

I fully suspect that PJ will add more scenes in Lake-town, perhaps some scenes in Mirkwood where the Elven-king is informed of what happens, plus scenes in Dol Guldur, etc., etc. I'm not saying I want this, but I don't think film two will be just the material covered in the last few chapters of the book. Plus, I think you're right about very ... long ... battles (which are a guilty pleasure of mine).

Did you see the follow up story on TORn. That Benedict Cumerbatch is to voice Smaug and the Necromancer (Mo Cap for smaug too!)

What do we reckon?

"What do we reckon?"- Kafria

That I guessed it when he was announced several posts ago! Yeah me, mind like a palantir can see things distant and far off!-it's the power of the buckie you know.
Alright I didn't guess the Necromancer bit- but thats because he has no dialogue- so now we have a talking Sauron presumably he will have to have a body to talk out of, answering another question (with a horrible answer! )
It all gets worse and worse.

Not necessarily, Petty; Sauron had several lines in the LOTR films despite not having a body. Granted, they were pretty dumb ("I seeeeeeeee yoooooooou..."), but still.

Don't think if it were just that they'd bother announcing it. Or let me put it another way, who was the voice of Sauron in LotR's?

Can't imagine theyd give him too much dialogue without a body of some sort- even if its just a suit of armour as in the prologue.

Just had the strangest daydream, Benedict Cumerbatch as Sauron - and then Bilbo wanders in and they start solving the mysteries of Middle Earth...

Sadly, I have to say that you're probably right, Petty.

I do not like to know much before hand. It seems there is always great disappointment either way. I much prefer to be quite in the dark and just take a deep breath and go and watch. Then come home and in the quiet of night, under a starry or cloudy sky, think and think and compare to what I loved in the book. But if the truth be told, I prefer actors I have never seen in the whole of my life, fresh , new, it is rather exciting to me.

I do something similar, after I watched TT I went out up the hills beneath the stars and exploded in rage and ranted against the Heavens till dawn then got blind drunk for a year, sadly I sobered up just in time for the release of RotK and that was even worse.
At least given the multitude of made up roles PJ has added there is good chance leelee that at least some of the cast of hundreds will be new to you.

Agreed about the new actors making the film more exciting, but I was amazed about how many of the actors I actually know. Martin Freeman- The Office. Richard Armitage- Robin Hood (yeah, I loved that show get over it!) James Nesbitt- from various things. Benedict Cumberbatch- Sherlock! And there's the problem! The realism of the film is shattered as I go "oh look, there's Guy!" Or "oh look, there's Tim. I wonder what he's doing..." Maybe it is because I watch too many movies and telvision programs. Or maybe there really is a shortage of actors in the movie business!

I think with something like this its worse if you watch a lot of British tv. Any film requiring a real Brit accent is going to draw on a relatively small pool of talent.

Pettytyrant101 wrote:relatively small pool of talent.

You should see Norwegian film - same ten (if it really is that many) actors in every single film and tv show. It's come to the point where it's all just embarrassing really.

Same with Scottsih actors. Before Ewan Magregor found fame he was in every UK tv show that required a scottish accent, and before that he was in every scottish tv show made.

More made-up characters for Petty's delight

PJ Confirms Evans and Cumberbatch, Announces LOST’s Evangeline Lilly and Barry Humphries

http://www.theonering.net/


Peter Jackson has posted a new note on his Facebook page today that confirms the casting of Luke Evans as Bard, as well as Benedict Cumberbatch as the voice of Smaug. He has also announced two new cast members. Barry Humphries will be portraying a completely CGI Goblin King…and…wait for it…the biggest news is LOST star Evangeline Lilly will be Tauriel. PJ describes Tauriel as a Woodland Elf, ‘Her name means ‘daughter of Mirkwood’ and, beyond that, we must leave you guessing! (No, there is no romantic connection to Legolas.)‘ So there you have it, some huge news from PJ today. Jump on over to his Facebook account to read the full note. [Read on] What do you think? Share your thoughts in our forum and on facebook!

Not so happy they're making up more characters, but perfectly happy with the choice of actress And "Daughter of Mirkwood"?.. that's really inventive and deep

So that definetly means the Goblin King and the announced Azog are different- so looks like somehow he is cramming in the Dwarf wars with the Goblins under the mountains and Azog (despite being years and years earlier) as well as the goblins from TH. And a made up female elf, just ****ing brilliant! He's just doing this to wind me up I'm sure of it. Excuse me I have some stars to go scream at.

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ps is he sure Tauriel doesn't translate as 'piss poor idea'. Sure it must.

Perhaps they're making a touching father-and-son story with Azog and Bolg?

Don't you start winding me up as well Ringdrotten- I've had up to somewhere very high up with all this nnsense already and theres still a ayear and a half to go till the first film release. I'll never make it he keeps announcing this sort of crap. Every bit of news seems to take it further and further from source.

I note they say there is no romantic connection to Legolas, but given that her name means "daughter of Mirkwood" (or they claim it does; I'm not sure but I don't think that's the actual meaning) I wonder if she's supposed to be Legolas' sister.

Honestly, I've tried not to be too crabbit and just accept that there will be differences, but the more casting news comes out the more absurd it sounds for PJ to say that he is making The Hobbit. I know I should wait and see what roles these characters actually have - they could be minor since the actors are being cast so late - but it's still making me feel like Petty.