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Full Casting Push For 'The Hobbit' Begins

 In  Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Casting, Sequels

Ever since the phenomenal success of "The Lord Of The Rings" trilogy, fans around the world have been eagerly awaiting a return to middle earth in the form of "The Hobbit", the book that preceded The Lord of the Rings whose events set the stage for Frodo's epic quest to destroy the Ring of Power.  This week we move even closer to "The Hobbit" hitting the big screen.

Producer Peter Jackson (who directed the first Lord of the Rings films) has announced that this week will mark the beginning of the full casting process.  Jackson says that every role is pretty much up for grabs except for that of Gandalf who will have Ian McKellen return to reprise his Oscar nominated character.

Jackson also went on to say that he feels no need or pressure to cast a big name actor in any of the roles... nor is he opposed to it:

"(These movies) have never been a star-driven vehicle. The star is (author J.R.R.) Tolkien and the world he created," said Jackson. "We are not under any pressure. We want to find the right people. Casting someone to portray a hobbit is not as easy as you might imagine. [We've] got to find the right people to play them, the right humans to translate these characters."

QUESTION: Clearly the key role here will be that of Bilbo (played in the first films by Ian Holm).  If you could cast the part... who would you have playing the Hobbit?

Source: Worst Previews  
Image: Courtlane Junior