Although the fate of where their big-footed creatures will alight to shoot The Hobbit is still undetermined, Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh have begun to officially cast the projects with Martin Freeman, as expected, set to play Bilbo Baggins. A host of other names was also announced Thursday.
Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reports that a meeting is set for Tuesday between New Zealand Prime Minister John Key and Warner execs in a last-ditch effort to keep the films in the country, although The Independent cites Fran Walsh as saying The Hobbit could soon be enrolling in Hogwarts.
A government spokeswoman told the WSJ that talks between Key and Warner execs are scheduled to take place in Wellington on Tuesday, but she would not specify who is attending the meeting on Warners’ behalf.
According to The Independent, Fran Walsh told Radio New Zealand on Thursday that Warners wanted to shift production to the UK’s Leavesden Studios where the Harry Potter movies were filmed.
“They’ve got a huge studio that Harry Potter have vacated, that they own…that they say would be perfect for us,” she said, adding that other UK locations were being scouted.
Reuters further reported, citing estimates from economists at New Zealand’s ANZ-National bank, that the nation’s economy could lose as much as $1.5 billion if Warner Bros. relocates the project.
Back to casting … New Line COO/president Toby Emmerich, Warner Bros COO/president Alan Horn, MGM co-CEO Stephen Cooper and Jackson also announced on Thursday that Richard Armitage, Aidan Turner, Rob Kazinsky, Graham McTavish, John Callen, Stephen Hunter, Mark Hadlow and Peter Hambleton have all been set.
While Deadline reports that nothing’s definite, there are rumblings that James Nesbitt and David Tennant are up for roles, while Stephen Fry, Saoirse Ronan and Bill Nighy are possible participants.
Regarding Freeman, Jackson said, “Despite the various rumors and speculation surrounding this role, there has only ever been one Bilbo Baggins for us. There are a few times in your career when you come across an actor who you know was born to play a role, but that was the case as soon as I met Martin. He is intelligent, funny, surprising and brave — exactly like Bilbo and I feel incredibly proud to be able to announce that he is our Hobbit.”
