THE HOBBIT CASTING NEWS YAY

[rj_anderson]

I have been known to rant about my dislike of certain aspects of the LotR movies (to wit: THE ENDLESS FIGHT SCENES PLEASE OH PLEASE MAKE THEM STOP WILL THEY NEVER STOP), but that being said, I am still unreasonably excited about the prospect of a cinematic version of The Hobbit, especially one starring Martin Freeman as Bilbo, the prospect of which causes me to squee at ear-piercing volume, if only in my head.

And then I saw that they've also cast Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield, and can only conclude that Christmas has come two months early this year.

Now all we need is Benedict Cumberbatch as the voice of Smaug (well, he said he wanted to play the role, and he and Freeman are buds, so why not?) and my triumph will be complete.

That is, at least until I see the movie and come out ranting about the ENDLESS FIGHT SCENES PLEASE OH PLEASE MAKE THEM STOP WILL THEY NEVER STOP, but I am an optimist.

Comments

[pendrecarc.livejournal.com]

I have absolutely nothing coherent to say to that. *flails about helplessly*

I read and reread The Hobbit obsessively when I was in grade-school, and (she said in a very small voice) I confess I still like it much better than Lord of the RIngs. I can't wait for this film.

[deutscheami.livejournal.com]

Hahah oh man, the only downside to that LOVELY news is that between Freeman probably decamping indefinitely to New Zealand to film The Hobbit and Moffat doing s6 and onwards of Doctor Who, the likelihood of more Sherlock keeps getting smaller and smaller.

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

But Freeman has already committed to another three 90-minute eps of SHERLOCK to air next August, and Moffat is already dropping sly hints like "Adler, Hound, Reichenbach," so I don't think we need to worry about that!

[infiniteviking]

Adler, Hound, Reichenbach,"

..ooooooooooooooooooooh. :D

[scionofgrace.livejournal.com]

Martin Freeman?

...THAT'S AWESOME!

Wow, I never would have guessed, but yeah. Totally perfect for the part!

[fandoria.livejournal.com]

I love the idea of Martin Freeman as Bilbo.

[infiniteviking]

Wait, he's going to be Bilbo!?

That.

Is.

PERFECT.

*squees forever*

Omg. OMG. The hobbit actors in LoTR somehow never fit my mental images of them, but Freeman -- although I'd never thought of it before -- immediately falls under "wait, yes, he's exactly how the Bilbo in my head was when I was a kid". I AM SO VERY GLEEFUL NOW. ^_____^

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

Yes! I totally agree. He will be a wonderfully befuddled and anxious, yet secretly resourceful and determined Bilbo.

[infiniteviking]

YES. All of those things. And irritated and grumbly and wanting his tea and not at all starry-eyed about wizardry or elves or... well, maybe about the HUGE HORIZONS and the eagles. Maybe. ^_____^

And if Cumberbatch can't be Snape because that's already taken, he definitely needs to be Smaug. :D

[innerslytherin]

Oh those FIGHT scenes were unending. I mean, that cave troll was just gratuitous, and that should have told us something since it was the first scene.

But MARTIN FREEMAN and RICHARD ARMITAGE! Though I don't know if anyone could ever be Smaug the way Richard Boone was Smaug....

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

*laughs and laughs and laughs at your icon*

I still have the Fotonovel of that film. I really liked Bakshi's craggy Strider and absolutely loved all his elves, but Boromir and his barbarian outfit were a disaster.

[innerslytherin]

I loved that Bakshi's film, but of course I grew up watching it. :) But yes, I still prefer that Strider, even though Viggo Mortenson was wonderful. What's funny, though, is I think that movie was what turned me into a Boromir fangirl at such a young age! LOL

[fiofiorina.livejournal.com]

I'd never thought, I'd meet someone with a similar eye on the LotR films :-))

But didn't Martin Freeman deny the part offered?
http://the-hobbit-movie.com/
I'd be more than happy to see him on the big screen, I hope your source is true and he did accept :-)

John recently told via a FB post about the protest march for the movie in NZ for governamental support in the labour issue - and about how strange it feels to have a prostestmarch for something different than peace or work or similar item. The labour issue does jeopardize the shoot in NZ, and it'd be a pity if the film has to be shot somewhere else.

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

Freeman did have to turn down the part at one point because of his existing commitment to SHERLOCK, but then they adjusted the filming schedule to fit him in. So yes, it's going to happen!

[fiofiorina.livejournal.com]

Yay :-))

[yunitsa.livejournal.com]

OH MY GOD OH MY GOD. *flails* And how perfect would Cumberbatch be as Smaug?

On the other hand, I'm not sure I can actually handle being that attracted to Thorin. My childhood!

ETA, looking at the rest of the casting: I'm glad they've got some older actors in there, because for a moment I thought it was going to be the Company of Inappropriately Attractive Dwarves. Aidan Turner, seriously?

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

I for one would be all in favor of the Company of Inappropriately Attractive Dwarves! But yes, for sensibility's sake (and the sake of my childhood as well, because it would never have occurred to me in a million years to find anybody in that company attractive) it really ought not to be.

(I had to look up Aidan Turner. Um. Yeah. I see the problem.)

But I don't think we need to worry too much about the attractiveness being distracting anyway, not when they'll all be wearing massive beards. :)

[grav-ity.livejournal.com]

On the other hand, I'm not sure I can actually handle being that attracted to Thorin. My childhood!

...I may have had that exact thought. ;)

[pontisbright.livejournal.com]

Yaaay! Oh, am so ridiculously pleased that they've confirmed Freeman - and the prospect of Lucas North sitting down and singing about gold is making me very happy. Hurrah hurrah hooray.

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

Christmas 2012 seems very distant right now.

[deva-fagan.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's brilliant!

And I am right there with you on the endless-fight-scenes.

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

Wow, there are a lot of us, aren't there? I'm getting notes of support from all over.

NOTE TO PETER JACKSON, ON BEHALF OF ALL OF US: LESS FIGHTING, MORE CHARACTERS. AND STICK TO TOLKIEN'S DIALOGUE, OR AT LEAST SOMETHING THAT SOUNDS EVEN REMOTELY LIKE IT. NO MORE DWARF TOSSING JOKES. THANK YOU.

(Think he'll be more likely to listen if I sound like Pratchett's Death? I hope so.)

[grav-ity.livejournal.com]

Is Phillipa Boyens involved? I hope she's not.

[serenasnape.livejournal.com]

OH MY WORD. This is all VERY good news!

[grav-ity.livejournal.com]

Dude, if there are endless fight scenes in this movie, I will be yelling THERE ARE ONLY TWO FIGHTS IN THIS STORY WHY ARE YOU FIGHTING???? ;)

I've been carefully not celebrating this all day, awaiting proper confirmation (mostly because I'd heard that Freeman was unavailable due to "Sherlock"), but I'm pleased. Although wondering how many more "Average British Dude" Freeman has left to play. ;)

[areth-lovejoy.livejournal.com]

So awesome. Just the prospect of this finally coming together. THE HOBBIT was my first love and to see it brought to screen by Jackson and co., who I aver did capture the spirit of the books, is just fantastic and I have been waiting seven years since they first announced this. Thank you for sharing the news!

[sarahtales.livejournal.com]

YOU'RE KIDDING.

AMAZING.

[aceofhadeon.livejournal.com]

And then I saw that they've also cast Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield, and can only conclude that Christmas has come two months early this year.

Couldn't agree more!