Orlando Bloom has become the latest cast member from Peter Jackson’s Lord Of The Rings to officially be confirmed as reprising their role in The Hobbit.
The news comes from the film’s official Facebook page, but you can read it below.
But really, is this news a surprise to anyone? We already knew that Hugo Weaving, Elijah Wood, Christopher Lee and Cate Blanchett are back to reprise their Rings characters despite them not actually appearing in J R R Tolkien’s original The Hobbit novel. Considering that the character’s father Thranduil does appear in the books, and will be played by Lee Pace, it does make sense that Legolas could at least pop up in a cameo. I suspect, though, that he will be playing a part in the material that Jackson has added into the story from the Lord Of The Rings appendices that chart out the other goings on in Middle Earth while Bilbo Baggins and the dwarves were journeying to the Lonely Mountain.
Director Peter Jackson has confirmed that Orlando Bloom will reprise the role of the Legolas—the role he played in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy—in the epic two-part screen adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit,” now filming in New Zealand.
“10 years on, I’m thrilled to be working with Orlando again. I look older – he doesn’t! Orlando created an iconic character with his portrayal of Legolas, and we’re excited to be revisiting Middle Earth with him once more.”
The adventure of “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 from the fearsome dragon Smaug.
The screenplays for “The Hobbit” films are by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Guillermo del Toro and Peter Jackson. Jackson is also producing the films, together with Fran Walsh and Carolynne Cunningham. The executive producers are Ken Kamins and Zane Weiner, with Philippa Boyens serving as co-producer.
“The Hobbit” films are productions of New Line Cinema and MGM, with New Line managing production. Warner Bros Pictures is handling worldwide theatrical distribution, with select international territories aswell as all international television licensing being handled by MGM.
