The Hobbit (2012 Film) - Cast

Cast

Further information: Cast of The Hobbit film series

Before filming began on 21 March 2011, the principal actors trained in sword fighting, riding and boating for a month. Jackson hoped such activities would allow the cast to bond so chemistry would be evident on screen as well as getting them used to life in Wellington. Some of the films' cast and their respective characters include:

• Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins: A hobbit hired by the wizard Gandalf to accompany 13 dwarves on a quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from Smaug the dragon. Peter Jackson said in an interview with NME that Freeman was his only choice to take the role of Bilbo Baggins as he felt that he had the necessary qualities that were needed to play Bilbo. Because of prior commitments to Sherlock, Freeman was initially unable to accept the role. However Jackson, because he was set on casting him as the role, reworked his entire shooting schedule to accommodate him.
• Ian McKellen as Gandalf the Grey: A wizard who recruits Bilbo and helps to arrange the quest to reclaim the Dwarves' lost treasure in Erebor. Gandalf was also portrayed by McKellen in The Lord of the Rings film trilogy.
• Cate Blanchett as Galadriel: An Elf and the co-ruler of Lothlórien along with her husband, Lord Celeborn. Galadriel does not appear in the novel The Hobbit. She was also portrayed by Blanchett in The Lord of the Rings film trilogy. She herself is a ring bearer, yet does not hold one of such evil and power. Ian McKellen has suggested that Galadriel has, or once had, a romantic relationship with Gandalf.
• Hugo Weaving as Elrond: The Elven Lord of Rivendell. Elrond gives shelter to Bilbo's party, despite Thorin's great suspicion of elves. Elrond was also portrayed by Weaving in The Lord of the Rings film trilogy.
• Christopher Lee as Saruman the White: Head of Gandalf's Order of Wizards and the White Council. Saruman was also portrayed by Lee in The Lord of the Rings film trilogy.
• Sylvester McCoy as Radagast the Brown: A wizard of Gandalf's Order. During the production of The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, McCoy had been contacted about playing the role of Bilbo and was kept in place as a potential Bilbo for six months before Jackson went with Ian Holm. On 23 October 2010 it was announced that he was in negotiations to play a major role as a "wizard", leading to speculation he could appear as Radagast the Brown. This was later confirmed by the actor. He was officially added to the cast on 7 December 2010.
• Ian Holm as an old Bilbo Baggins: Bilbo was also portrayed by Holm in The Lord of the Rings film trilogy. His scenes take place directly before the events of The Lord of the Rings.
• Elijah Wood as Frodo Baggins: A hobbit and favourite relative of Bilbo Baggins. His scenes take place shortly before the events of The Lord of the Rings.
• Andy Serkis as Gollum: A wretched creature corrupted by the One Ring. Serkis portrayed Gollum through motion capture, as he did in The Lord of the Rings film trilogy. Serkis also acted as second unit director of the trilogy.
• Manu Bennett as Azog the Defiler: The Orc chieftain of Moria who beheaded King Thrór in the battle of Azanulbizar. He now hunts Thorin and Company, having taken an oath to break the line of Durin. He leads a band of Hunter Orcs and rides a huge white Warg. He is shown as a large pale Orc who, having had his left arm cut off, now wears a metal prosthetic hand and forearm.
• Lee Pace as the Elvenking Thranduil, ruler of the Woodland Realm of Mirkwood.
• Benedict Cumberbatch as The Necromancer of Dol Guldur: A mysterious sorcerer with the ability to summon the spirits of the dead. Cumberbatch provided performance-capture for the character's brief appearance in this film, and will also voice him in the subsequent installments.
• Barry Humphries as the Great Goblin: The ruler of the underground caverns of Goblin Town in the Misty Mountains.
• John Rawls as Yazneg: An Orc lieutenant and second-in-command of Azog's hunter party.

The Company of Dwarves

• Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield, the leader of the Company of Dwarves who have set out to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from Smaug the dragon. On his casting, Jackson was quoted as saying, "Richard is one of the most exciting and dynamic actors working on screen today and we know he is going to make an amazing Thorin Oakenshield. We cannot wait to start this adventure with him and feel very lucky that one of the most beloved characters in Middle Earth is in such good hands."
• Graham McTavish as Dwalin. On his casting, McTavish stated, "I think that I would be very lucky indeed if ever again in my career, I was offered an opportunity that was going to be so iconic in its influence and scale with regards to The Hobbit. I can't think of anything comparable."
• Ken Stott as Balin, brother of Dwalin. He is described in the novel as "always their look-out man." On the casting of Stott, Jackson commented "Fran and I have long been fans of Ken's work and are excited he will be joining us on this journey."
• Aidan Turner as Kíli, nephew of Thorin and brother of Fíli. On his casting, Jackson stated, "Aidan is a wonderfully gifted young actor who hails from Ireland. I'm sure he will bring enormous heart and humor to the role of Kíli."
• Dean O'Gorman as Fíli. English actor Robert Kazinsky had originally been cast as Kíli's brother Fíli, but left the film on 24 April 2011 "for personal reasons". Jackson said that he would have time to cast a replacement due to focusing on filming scenes with Bilbo without dwarves. On 30 April 2011, Jackson announced via Facebook that O'Gorman had been hired as Kazinsky's replacement. Jackson stated, "Dean's a terrific Kiwi actor, who I am thrilled to be working with."
• Mark Hadlow as Dori, brother of Nori and Ori. He is described in the novel as "a decent fellow, despite his grumbling", while Thorin described him as being the strongest member of the Company. Hadlow is a long-time collaborator of Jackson's, having previously worked with him on films such as Meet the Feebles and King Kong. On his casting, Jackson said, "I have worked with Mark Hadlow on many projects; he is a fantastic actor. I am thrilled to be working with on these movies." Hadlow also plays Bert the Stone-troll.
• Jed Brophy as Nori, brother of Dori and Ori. Brophy has collaborated with Jackson on several films, including Braindead, Heavenly Creatures, and all three Lord of the Rings films as various creatures.
• Adam Brown as Ori, brother of Dori and Nori. The role will mark Brown's first film appearance. Commenting on Brown's casting, Jackson was quoted as saying, "Adam is a wonderfully expressive actor and has a unique screen presence. I look forward to seeing him bring Ori to life."
• John Callen as Óin, brother of Glóin. On getting a role in the films, Callen stated, "I did wonder about my casting and how they had made the choice—maybe the long hair and the beard sold it, I thought. But now that has all gone. Given that Óin is almost 200 years old I can presume only that it was the age."
• Peter Hambleton as Glóin, brother of Óin and (afterward) father of Gimli, who was portrayed in The Lord of the Rings film trilogy by actor John Rhys-Davies. Hambleton also plays William the Stone-troll.
• William Kircher as Bifur, cousin of Bofur and Bombur. Kircher described Bifur as an "oddball" – both a "maniac fighter" and an "incredibly gentle" toymaker. The remnant of a goblin-axe in Bifur's forehead renders him incapable of speech, leaving him to communicate via gestures and grunts. Kircher also plays Tom the Stone-troll.
• James Nesbitt as Bofur, brother of Bombur and cousin of Bifur, described as "a disarmingly forthright, funny and occasionally brave Dwarf." On 15 October 2010, Deadline Hollywood reported that Nesbitt was in negotiations for a part in the film. On 1 November 2010, Jackson confirmed that he had been added to the cast. Jackson was quoted as saying, "James's charm, warmth and wit are legendary as is his range as an actor in both comedic and dramatic roles. We feel very lucky to be able to welcome him as one of our cast."
• Stephen Hunter as Bombur, brother of Bofur and cousin of Bifur; described in the novel as fat and clumsy. On being cast in the role, Hunter said, "Being cast in The Hobbit is really exciting and really an honour. I auditioned for the original Lord of the Rings way back when I signed with my agent in New Zealand. When I saw the films I thought, 'Man, I so want to do The Hobbit.'"

The cast also includes: Bret McKenzie as Lindir, an Elf of Rivendell; Kiran Shah as the Goblin scribe, a scribe and messenger for the Great Goblin; Jeffrey Thomas as Thrór, former King of Durin's Folk and grandfather of Thorin Oakenshield and Michael Mizrahi as Thráin II, a Dwarven king and Thorin's father.