Martin Freeman Is Bilbo Baggins, Plus More Hobbit Casting Updates

Deadline confirms that indeed Martin Freeman will play Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit. Freeman best known for the British version of the Office and Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy was a fan favorite to play the role. More casting was included in the release which could be big breaks for the actors who are mostly known for television work. Similar to the career explosion the Lord of The Rings actors got they could soon become household names. "Richard Armitage (MI-5 and Captain America: The First Avenger) will play Thorin Oakenshield, leader of the Company of Dwarves which sets off to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from a thieving dragon. Aidan Turner (Being Human) and Rob Kazinsky (EastEnders) will play Kili and Fili, members of the Company of Dwarves. Graham McTavish (Secretariat) will play Dwalin, John Callen (Power Rangers Jungle Fury) will play Oin; Stephen Hunter (All Saints) will play Bombur, and Mark Hadlow (King Kong) plays Dori, while Peter Hambleton (The Strip) will play Gloin."


The site also mentions that Bill Nighy (Hot Fuzz, Pirates 2-3) could voice Smug the dragon. There are still roles for James Nesbitt (Jekyll) and David Tennant (Doctor Who) along with roles for Saoirse Ronan and Stephen Fry (Sherlock Holmes 2). While Andy Serkis and Ian McKellan aren't listed it's expected they'll reprise their roles in the two films. I suspect Stephen Fry could be the Goblin King.

Spielberg To Direct Robopocalypse

Deadline has confirmation that Steven Spielberg will direct Robopocalypse. It's interesting to see the director jump from Tintin to the dramatic WWI story of War Horse and now to this epic science fiction film.

Jack The Giant Killer To Shoot Spring 2011, Aaron Johnson To Star?

Deadline reports Warner Bros. and New Line have greenlit Bryan Singer's Jack The Giant Killer. The film is expected to start shooting in the spring thanks to script changes from Christopher McQuarrie who worked with Singer on both Valkyrie and The Usual Suspects. He also wrote the script for Wolverine 2. The site also reports Singer would love to cast Aaron Johnson in the film. He and Andrew Garfield had been rumored for screen tests but with Garfield locked in for Spider-Man it looks like Johnson could get the role.

Iron Man 3 Coming May 3rd 2013

Disney, Marvel and Paramount have announced the release date of Iron Man 3. It will hit theaters on May 3rd 2013 and is the first official confirmation of the third film. It's expected we'll see the return of both Robert Downey Jr. and director Jon Favreau. I hope they end up focusing on Stark and not cameos/easter eggs and setups for future films. There has been talk of Emily Blunt taking role in the film since she had been originally cast in the Black Widow role.

Fox Wants James Franco & Anne Hathaway For Alien Prequels?

BloodyDisgusting reports that Fox has two other names on their wish-list to be cast in their Alien Prequel directed by Ridley Scott. The site says they hope to get James Franco and Anne Hathaway. Franco is getting more known for his dramatic roles in films like Milk, 127 Hours and Howl. He's also helping Fox resurrect the Planet of The Apes franchise starring in their reboot/prequel Rise of The Apes. I'm hoping they want Anne Hathaway for a smaller role I couldn't see her carrying a two hour science fiction horror film.

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Darren Aronofsky Will Direct Wolverine 2

Deadline says that Fox has pretty much given the task of helming Wolverine 2 to Darren Aronofsky. They previously reported that Darren passed on Warner Bros. offer to direct Gangster Squad to instead pursue Wolverine 2 and a decent paycheck. Now they say the studio has agreed to shoot stage scenes in New York to accommodate both Darren and Hugh Jackman's families. The rest of the filming will take place on location in Japan. It sounds like the deal is all but official and it will be the best move by Fox to up the sequel's quality. I'm just hoping that Darren doesn't pull a Matthew Vaughn and jump ship during pre-production. It's not surprising since Darren's working relationship with Fox Searchlight which picked up his last two films The Wrestler and Black Swan. Not to mention his previous experience working with Jackman on The Fountain.

Keith Richards In Pirates 4, Trailer With Tron Legacy

Reuters (via SlashFilm) have confirmed that Keith Richards will be reprising his role of Jack Sparrow's father Captain Teague in Pirates of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. In other news the trailer will be attached to Tron Legacy when it's released in December.

Peter Jackson Officially Directing The Hobbit, Offers Go Out For Roles

It looks like the massive epic of just getting production started on The Hobbit films is finally coming to an end. Deadline reports Peter Jackson has finally come on board to direct, the film has been greenlit and offers have gone out to actors. The only thing holding it back is the current labor dispute which could see the films shot outside of New Zealand. Interesting enough Martin Freeman (Hitchhikers Guide) is up for Bilbo Baggins while others such as David Tennant (Doctor Who), Michael Fassbender (X-Men First Class, Inglourious Basterds) and James Nesbitt (Jekyll, Sunday Bloody Sunday) have been offered unnamed roles in the film. Ian McKellan and Andy Serkis are expected to return as well.

Amy Adams, Chris Cooper & Rashida Jones Might Join The Muppets

HeatVision reports Amy Adams, Chris Cooper and Rashida Jones are in talks to take on human roles in Disney's new Muppet film. The project co-written by Jason Segal and director Nicolas Stroller looks to resurrect the Muppet franchise and pump in new comedic blood. Segal who wrote and starred in Forgetting Sarah Marshall will also star in the film as the lead human character.

Noomi Rapace & Kingsley Join Last Voyage of Demeter

LATimes reports Noomi Rapace has lined up her next big starring role in the horror thriller The Last Voyage of Demeter. Noomi is picking up some impressive projects with Sherlock Holmes 2 and now this one. Rapace is also in talks for roles in the Alien prequels nd Hansel Gretel: Witch Hunters. Ben Kingsley who has been touch and go with his performances is also joining the movie. They are still looking for the film's male lead who I hope can keep up with Noomi. I have to assume Ben would be playing Dracula.

If you didn't see the Dracula films or read the novel by Bram Stoker. The Demeter is the ship that transports the Count's coffin from Transylvania to London. The crew were picked off one by one by the legendary vampire. I doubt that Rapace would choose this and the new Alien films since the premise is very similar just different settings. The film will be directed by Oscar winner Stefan Ruzowitzky who previously made the excellent Counterfeiters.

Luke Evans & Alice Eve Join The Raven

TheHollywoodReporter says that Luke Evans and Alice Eve are in talks to join The Raven. Evans would be replacing Jeremy Renner who had been attached to star but left to focus on MI4. Luke will play detective who has to team up with Edgar Allen Poe played by John Cusack. The pair's mission is to save Poe's kidnapped fiancee played by Eve from a serial killer. Raven seems like it's going to be a darker version of Sherlock Holmes meets Se7en which could be good or terrible. The hope is that director James McTeigue can do the project justice like he did with V For Vendetta.

TRAILER: Drive Angry

TRAILER: Wrecked

Sam Rockwell Joins The Sitter

TheWrap says that Sam Rockwell will join Jonah Hill in David Gordon Green's (Pineapple Express, Your Highness) The Sitter. Rockwell is a great addition to any cast and it's even better when it's adult themed comedy flick.