Deadline told you last week that Luke Evans would play Bard in The Hobbit and that Benedict Cumberbatch would play Smaug. But Peter Jackson revealed a couple more casting surprises as he continues production. One is Lost‘s Evangeline Lilly, who has been under the radar since the conclusion of that series and who has been sparing in her movie work during production of that series, aside from the Oscar-winning The Hurt Locker and the upcoming Real Steel. She’ll play a Woodland Elf named Tauriel. Barry Humphries, best known for his alter ego Dame Edna, will play the Goblin King. Here is Jackson’s Facebook missive:
THE HOBBIT Casting Update
by Peter Jackson on Sunday, June 19, 2011 at 1:51pmYikes! I can finally get back to some postings! We’ve finished our first block of shooting and moved straight into location scouting. More on that soon… But today, I’m thrilled to announce two new cast members who will be joining us for our second block of shooting.
Evangeline Lilly will be playing a new character—the Woodland Elf, Tauriel. Her name means ‘daughter of Mirkwood’ and, beyond that, we must leave you guessing! (No, there is no romantic connection to Legolas.) What is not a secret is how talented and compelling an actress Evangeline is; we are thrilled and excited she will be the one to bring our first true Sylvan Elf to life.
I’m also highly excited that Barry Humphries will be portraying the Goblin King, in much the way Andy Serkis created Gollum. Barry is perhaps best known for his business and social connections as the long-time manager of Dame Edna Everage. He has also been an ardent supporter of the rather misunderstood and unfairly maligned Australian politician, Sir Les Patterson. However, in his spare time, Barry is also a fine actor, and we’re looking forward to seeing him invest the Goblin King with the delicate sensitivity and emotional depth this character deserves.
Evangeline and Barry, along with Welsh actor Luke Evans as Bard and Benedict Cumberbatch as Smaug, just about rounds out the major casting. I cannot wait to get stuck into these new scenes!
More soon, including a flurry of answers to your questions. Sorry for the delay!
Cheers,
Peter J
I never would have predicted “Sir Les Patterson” would be cast in a Hobbit movie. But he’s a very talented performer.
Barry Humphries = brilliant casting. Who doesn’t love Edna & was the best thing about Finding Nemo, meanwhile it seems Lilly has a thing for Hobbits.
I can see it.
Lilly is a horrible actress and obnoxious person. Bad casting there in my opinion. This is waaaaay out of her league.
I couldn’t agree more.
Can`t comment on personality but Kate episodes were really bad in no small part thanks to Lilly`s complete lack of charisma and pretty shoddy acting. This Tauriel (who sounds like a fanfiction written by a 13 years old girl) is most likely Kate-like character whom everyone is in love with and who is the resident super-warrior, super-smart, you know the Girl Power cliche by now. Absolutely no reason why she should be inserted in movie. BTW, funny that they went from chasing a bone fide talent like Ronan to Lost`s most hated actress. Seems like a huge downgrade to me.
Agreed, Lilly was cringe worthy on ‘Lost’…
Granted, I only met her once for a few hours, but Evangeline was pleasant and charming to everyone to everyone on set that day. Maybe she was just in a particularly good mood that day but I’m surprised to hear her described as an obnoxious person.
Why is Peter Jackson adding characters that Tolkien never included? Has he become so arrogant as to think he knows better than Tolkien? This Taurial is nothing more that a bit of eye candy for the boys. She has NOTHING to do with the story
While I won’t defend Lily’s acting, I will defend Peter Jackson. Having read all the books and seen all the films, I will say that I appreciate Tolkien as a linguist, historian and world-builder. As a compelling storyteller – at least in the LOTR films – I’ll take Peter Jackson, thanks.
Every good director does it while adapting a screenplay. Sam Neils character in Jurassic Park was secondary, with Goldblum’s character being the protagonist, and there was no girlfriend in the books at all. sometimes it’s the only thing that will tie the film together correctly. If you’d read the books, you’d know there was barely any love story in the actual trilogy itself between Arwin and Aragorn. That was mostly Jackson. If he wants to add a new character to make the movie better, he’s earned that right.
Hello possums!
John V. Karavitis I’m sorry, I wasn’t that impressed with Ms. Lilly’s work in the TV series “Lost”, and I can’t see that she would be effective in a feature-length movie. But then again, many people criticize the casting choices made in even the most popular movies. And if Ms. Lilly is that good of an actress, why has she been relegated to playing a “woodland elf”??? It seems like the kind of role that only a desperate actress, whose career has stalled (as implied in the article) would make. John V. Karavitis
Cate Blanchett played an elf. Hugo Weaving played an elf. Liv Tyler played an elf. Orlando Bloom played an elf. A “Woodland Elf” in Tolkien’s world isn’t some Shakespearian fairy or a Keebler elf making cookies in a tree. I’m not saying Evangeline Lilly is the greatest actress (I wasn’t a huge fan of her work on “Lost”), but the role itself isn’t some bottom-of-the-barrel part.
Those Shakespearean fairies are pretty damn good roles that lots of actors love to play.
You know…she bares a striking resemblance to Liv Tyler. Perhaps they wanted maintain that continuity without having to go back to Liv!!!!!
Dame Edna is perhaps the funniest comedic creation of my lifetime. Vastly underappreciated here in the States.
Well, if Peter doesn’t like what he’s seeing from her, he’ll probably sack her for someone else. I don’t think he’ll need to though, it’s not like she’s trying to pull off a Daniel Day-Lewis caliber character here…
Yes, being cast in the upcoming Real Steel and the Hobbit franchises, both sure bets to hit about 1 billion global box office is a clear indicator that Evangeline is a talentless hack whose career has stalled…
And what does it prove except that Hollywood is pushing her as the next big thing regardless of whether she has what it takes? Lets see how she fares without Hugh Jackman, robots, Tolkien best-seller and LOTR franchise as reall sources of boxoffice draw for movies that she is cast in. They did the same with Orlando Bloom and we all know how that leading man experiment turned out. Sure, she is on the big flick roll now but it`s all luck through association not real drawing power. Until she`s proven there, this is just hot air.
She’s not done much since Lost. She was in Hurt Locker, but majority of her scenes were cut. I’ll be interested in seeing if the same happens in Real Steel. She’s just not charismatic and didn’t have the chops to pull off half the material she was given on Lost. She’s also not THAT great looking. She’s averagely pretty, but I just hate seeing Hollywood and the media tout her as some gorgeous super talent when she’s not. And as I said above she’s an obnoxious person. Lost crew members weren’t fans, some calling her “stand off ish” and others calling her far worse. I’ve heard about tricks played on her to get her back for arrogant and stuck up behavior. I’ve also been aware of instances of her being very jealous of female costars and doing things with no regard for others and total regard for herself. And anyone can find quotes from here all over the net where she complains about fame and swears she’s quitting the business, yet now takes on big roles in blockbusters.
My point is there’s just far too many superbly talented, truly stunning actresses who work hard, don’t complain, and treat people with respect who deserve these kinds of opportunities more than her. She must have a GREAT agent, or else used her connection to Dominic Monaghan to get this gig. Very irritating.
Wow. Dame Edna in the Hobbit. Can it get any worse? Oh yes, there is a director who didnt want to direct the project, the addition of LOTR actors just for the sake of it, Benedict Cumberbatch playing two roles and why is that? Oh yeah, and the pretty chick from Lost playing a character that isnt in the book.
Perhaps if you whine more, it’ll all just … go away.
Dame Edna doesn’t travel well outside the Commonwealth, so he’s never really gotten his due in the States, but Humphries is a genius.
I for one find both casting choices intriguing. With those two actors added, this is the first time I am interested in the project (not a huge Tolkien / LOTR fan). I always found Lilly’s work on Lost impressive.
Wow, such bile here for no reason. Evangeline Lilly is talented, GORGEOUS, was a *central* character in Lost and thus was a big reason for its success and she’s shown good taste in her choice of roles. She didn’t jump right into whatever bad female cop pilot is shooting this week for TNT, instead she took her time to find quality roles.
Methinks there’s a few jealous women and woman-hating men on this board who are in snippy moods. Stop being such negative shits, it’s just one role in a huge ensemble cast.
seriously? when will people STOP with the logical fallacy that is blaming everything on “jealous women” – an exaggerated stereotype that insecure men l-o-v-e. Did you notice that most of the Evangeline haters posting are men?
of course not. that would require *gasp* lucid thought.
I don’t see any of the “LOST” cast being touted as the next big thing. They all seem to be struggling to find work – a few have finally found roles in new TV series for the Fall. A the tow leads from LOST getting a few supporting roles in films isn’t like Ryan Reynolds being shoved down our throats. A shame, since Josh Holloway has tons of charisma, and would make a great leading man in some action/sci-fi projects. I hope he makes MI:3 watchable. Personally, I vote for an Indiana Jones reboot starring Josh.
This is interesting news. Lilly is a great actor and throughout LOST I was impressed with her ability to express with only her eyes.
I’m not sure of the context of this new character in The Hobbit, so I’d have to see the movie to judge her necessity.
Dang, I’m starting to feel like i’m the only guy who liked kate in Lost. She was smokin hot! never saw past season 4 tho…
What’s with all the Kate hate? I guess I must of been watching a different show – I thought she was great, and compelling, and hot. Sorry to hear she is stuck up, but maybe a million magazine covers and breathless pandering went to her head. I never thought she was the beauty to end all beauties, but half the nerds here have probably never talked to a girl as cute as she is.
Lily… My precious…
She was the soul of lost, a fantastic actress, and im glad she got this role in a big movie.
Sam Niel owes us one Ferrett Scout Car. Hurry up with the motorcycle and the jeep. And stop talking rubbish about retirement, the old contembles are having a yawn at the rate of movement amongst some of the old fogies.