It may well be an age thing.. I suppose it could work if you played the Elvenking as a petulant boy-king but since the Hobbit is meant to be a prequel to the extant LOTR films rather than standing alone.. I can't help thinking this guy would seem ludicrous as Orli's Dad..especially if Orli did a cameo. Not having seen him act I wouldn't know if he has the necessary gravitas for the later scenes.
If there is any notice paid to the "history" of Middle Earth, then Thranduil is an elf of great age, one who fought in Mordor and led a fraction of his people home and now has to fight again. for my money you need an actor who has reached full manhood and that for me means late twenties to early forties even if they are aging well. Elves may not have beards until the third cycle, but for my money I want an actor who needs to shave! I rather liked the idea of Jasobn Isaacs but he is now perhaps too old and too associated with Malfoy
