Stars all in a line for 'The Hobbit'

From Middle-earth to Minnesota, Manchester, Mumbai and everywhere in-between, J.R.R. Tolkien fans around the world are all a-Twitter as the stars line up to appear in The Hobbit.

While most of the big names - including Australian actress Cate Blanchett and British comedian Martin Freeman - have now been announced, fans are keeping Twitter feeds hot with speculation over whether Orlando Bloom and Sir Ian McKellen are going to make it into the two-part prequel to The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Bloom is apparently in talks to play the Elf warrior Legolas, while McKellen has let it be known widely that he is hoping to return as the wizard Gandalf the Grey.

Other stars already confirmed to appear in the movies include James Nesbitt, Richard Armitage and Sylvester McCoy.

Directed by award-winning New Zealand film-maker Sir Peter Jackson, The Hobbit will be shot in two parts. Production is due to begin in Wellington, New Zealand, in February 2011.

Bilbo Baggins
Martin Freeman, who will star as Hobbit hero Bilbo Baggins, was born for his role, according to Peter Jackson.

"Despite the various rumours and speculation surrounding this role, there has only ever been one Bilbo Baggins for us," Jackson said.

"There are a few times in your career when you come across an actor who you know was born to play a role, but that was the case as soon as I met Martin. He is intelligent, funny, surprising and brave - exactly like Bilbo."

Cate Blanchett
For Cate Blanchett, Jackson has recreated her Lord of the Rings role as the Elvish queen, Galadriel the Lady of Lothlorien - even though the character does not appear in the original Tolkien story.

Jackson has described Cate Blanchett as "one of my favorite actors to work with".

"I couldn't be more thrilled to have her reprise the role she so beautifully brought to life in the earlier films," Jackson said.

James Nesbitt
Cold Feet star Nesbitt will play the forthright, funny and occasionally brave dwarf Bofur in the upcoming film.

"James's charm, warmth and wit are legendary, as is his range as an actor in both comedic and dramatic roles," director Sir Peter Jackson said.

Sir Ian McKellen is expected to reprise his role as wizard Gandalf, and Andy Serkis is thought to be returning as Gollum although neither has been officially signed up.

Hugo Weaving's character Elrond also appears in the book but he is still in talks to reprise his role.

Acting line-up
Other members of The Hobbit cast as announced include: Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield; Ken Stott (Charlie Wilson's War) as the dwarf Lord Balin; Sylvester McCoy (Doctor Who) as the wizard Radagast the Brown; Swedish actor Mikael Persbrandt as Beorn; British actor Ryan Gage as Drogo Baggins; American actor Adam Brown as Ori.

New Zealand actors Jed Brophy, William Kircher, Mark Hadlow, Stephen Hunter, and Peter Hambleton will play dwarves.

The Hobbit schedule
The Hobbit films are being co-produced by New Line Cinema, Warner Bros and MGM, and scheduled for release in December 2012 (part one) and December 2013.

Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Carolynne Cunningham are producing the films, with Phillipa Boyens serving as co-producer and Ken Kamins as executive producer.

The Oscar-winning, critically acclaimed LOTR trilogy, made by the same production team, grossed nearly $3 billion worldwide at the box office.

Return of the King triumphed at the 2003 Academy Awards, winning all of the 11 categories in which it was nominated, including Best Picture - the first ever Best Picture win for a fantasy film.