Casting Rumours - The Hobbit

[Lairënuriel]

Beren and I have been discussing this one, here's an article.  What do you think?

Here's the article:

http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2008/01/07/28227-speculation-on-hobbit-casting/#more-28227

I like the idea of having Johnny Depp in there somewhere - he's one of my favourites.

[Beren One-Hand]

Very interesting article, Lauren, thanks.  Jonny Depp might work in the role of Thranduil, but it is hard to imagine him not as Captain Jack Sparrow - the whole drunken pirate thing.  Joaquin Phoenix and Jason Isaac seem to be the best of the one's mentioned for a potential Thranduil.  For Bard, as I said prior I like Gerard Butler, but am excited to see Jim Caviezel mentioned also, as he is one of my favorite actors.  He could be the best candidate for Bard that has been mentioned.  Beorn's role better be included.  I hope they don't pull a Tom Bombadil here, and cut out his role.  Ron Perlmand as Thorin?  Hmmm . . . maybe.  He would certainly seem more agile and able than an older actor.  I still don't mind the idea of a Robert Duval here either.  Colin Firth for Bilbo!  I said earlier that it would be better to go with a younger actor, than to go with Ian Holm again.  I tip my hat to Holm, but this role is meant for a much younger actor.  No mention about Radagast here.  They better not cut his role either.  I want to see another wizard in this film, along with Gandalf.

[Lairënuriel]

But Johnny Depp is such a good actor he could be anyone - just think of Ichabod Crane or Edward Scissorhands or Hunter S. Thompson.  For me he could be anyone.  I like the picture they used of Colin Firth - you can really picture him as a young Bilbo.  That is a logistics problem though - Ian Holme is 5'5" and Colin Firth is 6'2".  It would be hard unless they had the rest of the Dwarves superhuman.

[Beren One-Hand]

Depp's good, no question.  It is just hard to imagine at this point, for me.  We'll see what happens.  But I have faith in Jackson and the casting people to select people for the roles and we'll just have to wait and see what happens and who ends up finally landing the roles. 

What might play the Master of Laketown?  Another interesting role. 

Kiefer Sutherland might fit into the Hobbit somehow.  He's also a great actor.  Gotta have a Canadian in there somewhere.

[Insane_Monky]

Does anyone else think that Guy Pearce (http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1807812121) would make a good Bard?

[Lairënuriel]

I can see it.  I just saw Factory Girl on Friday.  He was a good Warhol.

[Beren One-Hand]

No, I can't see Guy Pearce in that role.  I'd bet and hope he won't be Bard.  He might be decent as an elf of Mirkwood or something, but that role isn't for him.  Pearce was great as a sort of villain in the Count of Monte Cristo and also as a good guy (no pun intended) in Time Machine.  We'll see what happens.  But I like either Gerard Butler or Jim Caviezal for Bard.

[gandalf193]

I could still see Ian Holm as Bilbo. But Ian McKellen better play Gandalf.