Casting The Hobbit?

[Boromir88]

With all the talk and rumours swirling around The Hobbit, some good, mostly bad/negative. Let's try to think more positively and discuss some actors you'd like to see in the movie(s) and what characters they could play.

I expect some simple sure locks, for example Ian Mckellan as Gandalf, Andy Serkis as Gollum, and Hugo Weaving as Elrond. I really can't picture anyone else doing the part, and I think bringing in 'new faces' would only harm it. I would like to see Ian Holm come back as Bilbo, but I have a feeling that he may be getting too old for the role and a younger actor may be needed.

But how about who could you picture/like to see as Thranduil? Beorn? Bard? The Town Master? The Dwarves? Smaug?...etc

Some ideas that have been swirling around...I would really like to see Jeremy Irons get a part, he's a well accomplished, yet I think under-appreciated actor. I can certainly see him as say Thranduil or the Master...and would indeed like to see him.

Or how about Patrick Stewart as the voice of Smaug? I adore both him and Sir Mckellan in X-men, their voices alone are simply astounding, add that with their acting abilities. If not Mr. Stewart, I think Brian Cox would also be a good fit for Smaug's voice.

I find it a little difficult to get the dwarves down...I think you have to have this gruff toned voice with a bit of stubborness. In which case Robbie Coltrane and Rip Torn can pull off successful dwarves...(whom I really don't know)

[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...

[Kuruharan]

I just had an idea for the Master of Laketown.

I'm being perfectly serious about this...how about John Cleese?

[Thinlómien]

Originally Posted by Kuruharan

I'm being perfectly serious about this...how about John Cleese?

That'd be hilarious!

I find it rather funny that this, the overall casting thread has far less replies than the Beorn-casting thread...

[Aaron]

Sorry for that.

[Tuor in Gondolin]

I'm being perfectly serious about this...how about John Cleese?

With, of course, Prunella Scales and Connie Booth really running Laketown.
Now, if only they could find some cheap help from Dorwinion.

But really, I think Rowan Atkinson would be great
as the voice of Smaug.

[Boromir88]

Ever since my mind was corrupted by Monty Python I can never see John Cleese benig in even a semi-serious role.

Geoffrey Rush has grown on me. I mean this guy (a long with Johnny Depp) really brought up the performance of Curse of the Black Pearl...and was a sorely missed asset in the 2nd movie. He added so much depth to the 'evil' character of Barbossa that you just don't get to see in a lot of typical bad guys. We see Barbossa's plain out conniving and 'mutinous' side, but also his longing for wanting to get rid of the curse (the apple scene with Keira Knightly was fantastic), and plus his slightly light-hearted comedic side. He wasn't your stereo-typical bad guy and added several dimensions to his character in POTC that you just don't see.

Also, he had a small role in Munich, yet was a good influence in the movie. I haven't seen Quills or Les Miserables, but I've heard these are buy far some of his best movies.

I don't know who he'd be, as he's not really a leading type guy, but good in a support role (or villain). I can perhaps see Beorn being a good fit, or providing the voices for the trolls.

[Bêthberry]

Originally Posted by Tuor in Gondolin

But really, I think Rowan Atkinson would be great
as the voice of Smaug.

Possibly, but don't you perhaps mean Blackadder would be great as the voice of Smaug? On the other hand, perhaps Mr. Bean could do as Bilbo?

[Nazgûl-king]

Here are some ideas:
Geoffrey Rush - Thorin Oakenshield
James Earl Jones - Smaug
Liam Neeson - Galion the buttler
Jeremy Irons - Master of Laketown
Bill Nighy - Beorn (if he is included)
Ewan Mcgregor - Balin
Robert Carlyle - Great Goblin
David Thewlis - Bard
Jason Isaacs - Thranduil the Elven king