Despite plenty of drama in the development and production of ‘The Hobbit’ – check out my story over at PopEater – the cast and crew continue to forge merrily ahead.
The latest person returning to Middle Earth is Cate Blanchett, who played Galadriel in the previous films and whom Frodo encountered on his journey to destroy The One Ring.
J.R.R. Tolkien refers to Galadriel as “the mightiest and fairest of all the Elves that remained in Middle-Earth” and the “greatest of elven women.” As for director Peter Jackson, he notes, “Cate is one of my favorite actors to work with and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have her reprise the role she so beautifully brought to life in the earlier films.”
Still, you have to wonder … The character of Galadriel didn’t actually show up in Tolkien’s book ‘The Hobbit,’ so it’ll be interesting to see how Jackson stitches her into the story. I’m just excited that things are finally moving forward, because it’s been a long time coming. ‘The Hobbit’ will be released in two films, arriving in theaters in 2012 and 2013 (well, barring any more financial or legal woes, that is).
Other confirmed castings include Ken Scott as dwarf lord Balin, Sylvester McCoy as wizard Radagast the Brown, Mikael Persbrandt as Beorn, Ryan Gage as Drogo Baggins, and Jed Brophy and William Kircher as dwarfs Nori and Bifur.
For Tolkien Nerds: Galadriel was a royal Elf of both the Noldor and the Teleri, being a grandchild of both King Finwë and King Olwë, and was also close kin of King Ingwë of the Vanyar through her grandmother Indis. Towards the end of her stay in Middle-earth she was co-ruler of Lothlórien along with her husband, Lord Celeborn, and was referred to as The Lady of Lórien, The Lady of the Galadhrim, Lady of Light or The Lady of the Wood. She had a daughter Celebrían, making her Elrond’s mother-in-law and Arwen’s grandmother.
And yes, I’m one of those nerds. I even have Galadriel’s ring in my jewelry box.
Images: Warner Bros. Pictures
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