Adaptations
Don Messick voiced Balin in the 1977 animated version of The Hobbit.
In Peter Jackson's film adaptations of The Lord of the Rings, Gimli calls Balin his cousin, though their kinship is technically "first cousin once removed". Gimli takes up Balin's axe when the Fellowship discover the Chamber of Mazarbul. He uses it once in the ensuing battle, hurling it at a Cave Troll. As opposed to Gimli's previous axe, the axe of Balin is larger and double-bladed with a shorter handle. In the book there is no mention of Balin's axe.
In the upcoming adaptation of The Hobbit, Balin will be played by Ken Stott.
Read more about this topic: Balin (Middle-earth)