If your natural inclination is to spell the word “color” using the letter u, there’s a good chance you have just been cast in Peter Jackson’s ever-expanding film adaptation of “The Hobbit.” In a Facebook post published over the weekend, Mr. Jackson announced that his two-movie version of that J. R. R. Tolkien fantasy novel would feature Evangeline Lilly, a “Lost” alumna; Barry Humphries, the comedian best known for his garish alter ego, Dame Edna Everage; and Benedict Cumberbatch, who plays the title character on the television series “Sherlock.”
Mr. Jackson said that Ms. Lilly, a Canadian actress, would play a newly created elf character named Tauriel. He wrote: “Her name means ‘daughter of Mirkwood’ and, beyond that, we must leave you guessing! (No, there is no romantic connection to Legolas.)”
Mr. Humphries, who is Australian, is set to play the Goblin King “in much the way Andy Serkis created Gollum,” Mr. Jackson wrote. (Mr. Serkis’s portrayal of that “Lord of the Rings” character was presented with computer graphics generated from his live performance, though Mr. Jackson did not elaborate on how this process might be adapted for Mr. Humphries.)
Mr. Cumberbatch, who is British, will provide the voice of the dragon Smaug. Mr. Jackson concluded his post by writing, “I cannot wait to get stuck into these new scenes!” Given the challenged production history of “The Hobbit,” he might have chosen his words more carefully.
Mr. Humphries, who is Australian, is set to play the Goblin King “in much the way Andy Serkis created Gollum,” Mr. Jackson wrote. (Mr. Serkis’s portrayal of that “Lord of the Rings” character was presented with computer graphics generated from his live performance, though Mr. Jackson did not elaborate on how this process might be adapted for Mr. Humphries.)
Mr. Cumberbatch, who is British, will provide the voice of the dragon Smaug. Mr. Jackson concluded his post by writing, “I cannot wait to get stuck into these new scenes!” Given the challenged production history of “The Hobbit,” he might have chosen his words more carefully.
