Casting The Hobbit?

[Aaron]

Sorry for that.

[Tuor in Gondolin]

I'm being perfectly serious about this...how about John Cleese?

With, of course, Prunella Scales and Connie Booth really running Laketown.
Now, if only they could find some cheap help from Dorwinion.

But really, I think Rowan Atkinson would be great
as the voice of Smaug.

[Boromir88]

Ever since my mind was corrupted by Monty Python I can never see John Cleese benig in even a semi-serious role.

Geoffrey Rush has grown on me. I mean this guy (a long with Johnny Depp) really brought up the performance of Curse of the Black Pearl...and was a sorely missed asset in the 2nd movie. He added so much depth to the 'evil' character of Barbossa that you just don't get to see in a lot of typical bad guys. We see Barbossa's plain out conniving and 'mutinous' side, but also his longing for wanting to get rid of the curse (the apple scene with Keira Knightly was fantastic), and plus his slightly light-hearted comedic side. He wasn't your stereo-typical bad guy and added several dimensions to his character in POTC that you just don't see.

Also, he had a small role in Munich, yet was a good influence in the movie. I haven't seen Quills or Les Miserables, but I've heard these are buy far some of his best movies.

I don't know who he'd be, as he's not really a leading type guy, but good in a support role (or villain). I can perhaps see Beorn being a good fit, or providing the voices for the trolls.

[Kuruharan]

Ever since my mind was corrupted by Monty Python I can never see John Cleese benig in even a semi-serious role.

You must broaden your horizons. He can do an admirable job with more serious roles. Although, I think that the Master role would have potential for comedy, I was envisioning a very subdued brand of humor for the character.

Geoffrey Rush

In the name of all dwarves everywhere, I claim him for a dwarf character.

Hey, he might make a good Bombur!

[Bêthberry]

Originally Posted by Tuor in Gondolin

But really, I think Rowan Atkinson would be great
as the voice of Smaug.

Possibly, but don't you perhaps mean Blackadder would be great as the voice of Smaug? On the other hand, perhaps Mr. Bean could do as Bilbo?

[Tuor in Gondolin]

Yes. Picture Black Adder talking sarcastically to Baldric.

[Boromir88]

You know who would also make a good dwarf...Bob Hoskins...one of England's top rated actors of all time. He's got a certain gruffness to him (playing as various WWII leaders...Churchill, Mussolini, and Kruschev), yet a playful personality that we see the Dwarves in The Hobbit have. I saw him as Smee in Hook, and fell in love with him.

[Texadan]

I'd have thought Smaug more a Michael Clarke Duncan voice.

[Boromir88]

I found this rather interesting. During the press conference of The Hitcher, someone had asked Sean Bean if he was asked to play in The Hobbit or one of these 'prequels' that Newline has been talking about Sean replied:

"It's very much a creation of Peter Jackson. It's difficult for me to answer that question because I haven't heard about it. It depends on the circumstances, the many, many circumstances. The director, the writing, the whole idea behind it and what they are trying to achieve."

Now whether the questioner knew it or not, Sean could not conceivably come back as Boromir in The Hobbit; he would have to play a different character. This is rather intriguing; eventhough if I'm am almost 100% sure Sean will not be involved in The Hobbit...just interesting to wonder who he could be? This wouldn't be the first time something like this would happen. Afterall Christopher Lee played Lord Summerisle in the 1973 movie The Wicker Man; and in the remake Cowboys for Christ, the same director (Richard Hardy) is back, and has brought back Lee to play Sir Lachlan Morrison this time. Grant it this is over a 30 year difference between the two films, but Lee would still be playing a different character in the remake.