Cast Speculation

[Voronwë the Faithful]

Yes.

[Lalaith]

Okay, thanks, Voronwë! I must have missed the official confirmation somewhere.

[Alatar]

For anyone who would like a taster of Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock. I could really see his voice working for Smaug.

http://youtu.be/im4TYITM0VE

[Dave_LF]

And McKellen has not-so-subtly hinted that that's what he'll be doing:
http://www.mckellen.com/cinema/hobbit-movie/110531.htm

The cat is out of the bag. The actor is named. The latest recruit to the Jackson troops is the superb Benedict Cumberbatch, Sherlock Holmes to Bilbo's Watson. Martin Freeman let it slip when he picked up his BAFTA.
Martin told me he was "chuffed" about the prize. So was the entire crew back here in Wellington; and about Benedict. Now, what can he be playing in The Hobbit?
Philippa Boyens showed me a snippet of his screen-test, played in close-up into the camera. It was electrifying, vocally and facially. Yes, what can he be playing?

[Voronwë the Faithful]

The really interesting part of that quote is "facially". That suggests that they will be doing motion capture for Smaug, doesn't it?

[Dave_LF]

Probably, unless they just wanted him to act dragon-y on the audition tape to help them envision the final product (I really have no idea how these things are done).

[Alatar]

I would certainly imaging they will be trying to capture as much of the performance whether using Motion capture or simply facial reference. If you watch for example, Jeremy Irons perfromance as Scar in The Lion King, so much of Jeremy Irons mannerisms and facial performance were replicated in the animated character. And thats just traditional animation.

[Voronwë the Faithful]

By the way, despite the skepticism at TORN, I agree with you that it is almost certain that Smaug was what Sir Ian was referring to. It is the only possibility that makes sense. They are not going to make the Necromancer into a major speaking role (I doubt he will have much more to say that the Witchking in ROTK), and the hints definitely do not suggest Bard. I think that Cumberbatch is an inspired choice for Smaug (just listen to the clip that Al posted), and my excitement level definitely is increasing.

[yovargas]

I haven't been following this all too closely so forgive if this is an old topic but what is the status on Beorn? Is he gonna be in or is he cut? Is he being cast? Do we know?

[Voronwë the Faithful]

All the information that you need is in Lali's sticky thread, in this forum.

[Dave_LF]

Sheesh; the n00bs we get around here...

[Voronwë the Faithful]

Yeah, but this one at least is cute.

[yovargas]

That's not all the information that I need. But thanks.

[Voronwë the Faithful]

Well, it's all the information you need to answer those particular questions. Yes, Beorn is in. He is being played by Mikael Persbrandt. There's a picture of Persbrandt and a link to his IMDB page.

What more information do you need?

[axordil]

I'm now thinking about that voice reading the lines wherein Smaug tells Bilbo he's off to toast Laketown, because he's figured out what "barrel-rider" means.

[Voronwë the Faithful]

Gonna be awesome!

[yovargas]

What more information do you need?

Where can I find true love? What is the right career path for me? What causes these pains in my arms? .....amongst others......but Beorn's casting will do for now. (Unless Lali has a sticky that answers those too. )

[Primula Baggins]

Well, shoot, yov, why didn't you just ask? I'll get to work on it this minute. Should have three solid answers by dinnertime.

[Voronwë the Faithful]

Where can I find true love?

In your heart.

What is the right career path for me?

The one that makes you happiest.

What causes these pains in my arms?

Carrying around the weight of worrying about the first two.

(Unless Lali has a sticky that answers those too. )

I'll make sure she get's right on it.

[yovargas]

You should set up a Q&A booth somewhere.