Hobbit rumor updates...

When news broke about Stephen Fry joining The Hobbit, I realized that it had been a while since I'd checked the most recent rumblings about the cast. There have been some interesting developments:

Thrilled to see that Christopher Lee is now being openly mentioned among the full cast, reprising the role of Saruman. Lee turns 89 on May 27th - it's glorious news to hear he's able to participate, particularly given his having actually met Tolkien and his fondness for re-reading the books every year. Sir Christopher is a good luck charm of the highest order.

Brian Blessed is one of the most marvelous actors alive, long a fixture of UK film and television and a personal favorite, having appeared in The Avengers, I, Claudius, Space: 1999, Flash Gordon, Henry V, Hamlet and countless others. Blessed is rumored to be portraying Dwarf King Dain, a pivotal figure in the Battle of Five Armies.

Who will be the voice of Smaug, most nefarious of dragons? Names from Ron Perlman to Bill Nighy have all been rumored at some point. Most recently, Leonard Nimoy's name has appeared as a contender. Nimoy has been great on Fringe and will be the voice of Sentinel Prime in this summer's Transformers: Dark of the Moon.

All wonderful actors! Game of Thrones fans, also of note - Conan Stevens who plays Ser Gregor "The Mountain That Rides" Clegane, has also been cast as fierce Orc Azog! Can't wait to see this cast in all their Middle Earth glory!