Peter Jackson confirms that Orlando Bloom will return as Legolas in “The Hobbit”
Oscar-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson has confirmed on Facebook that British heartthrob Orlando Bloom will reprise his breakthrough “Lord of the Rings” role in the prequel “The Hobbit”:
Ten years ago, Orlando Bloom created an iconic character with his portrayal of Legolas. I’m excited to announce today that we’ll be revisiting Middle Earth with him once more. I’m thrilled to be working with Orlando again. Funny thing is, I look older—and he doesn’t! I guess that’s why he makes such a wonderful elf.
Bloom is the latest “LOTR” alumnus to join “The Hobbit.” While Gandalf (Ian McKellen), Elrond (Hugo Weaving), and Gollum (Andy Serkis) actually appear in J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel, Jackson has stretched the story to bring back the characters Galadriel (Cate Blanchett), old Bilbo (Ian Holm) and Frodo (Elijah Wood) for the two-part film version.
But Jackson doesn’t have to do much adjusting to bring Legolas back to Middle Earth for “The Hobbit”: Bilbo and the dwarves have a run-in with the elves of Mirkwood in the novel. In “LOTR,” Legolas is called the son of Thranduil, King of the Woodland Realm of Northern Mirkwood. Thranduil is part of “The Hobbit” storyline and will be played by Chickasha-born actor Lee Pace.
Interestingly, Pace actually is younger than Bloom: Bloom is 34 and Pace is 32.
The two-part 3D adaptation of “The Hobbit” is set for December 2012 and December 2013 release.
-BAM
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omg orlando is so hot n this movie