Orlando Bloom Returns to Middle Earth

By Moviefone Editors Posted May 29th 2011 11:33AM

Orlando Bloom has moved on from the swashbuckling 'Pirates of the Caribbean' franchise, but he's still not ready to say farewell to the land of J.R.R. Tolkien.

Although the character Legolas doesn't appear in Tolkien's novel 'The Hobbit,' Bloom (who originated the blonde elf role in the acclaimed 'Lord of the Rings' films) has officially signed on to appear as Legolas in director Peter Jackson's upcoming 'The Hobbit.' The two-film adaptation is currently shooting in New Zealand.

Jackson made the announcement Friday on Facebook: "Ten years ago, Orlando Bloom created an iconic character.... I'm excited to announce today that we'll be revisiting Middle Earth with him once more. I'm thrilled to be working with Orlando again."

Bloom, 34, landed his first major role in the 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy. Since then, outside of the three films he shot with Keira Knightley and Johnny Depp as part of the 'Pirates' franchise, the British actor has had a spotty career as a leading man. He has starred in a few rom-coms ('Elizabethtown,' 'New York, I Love You') and sword-and-sandal epics ('Troy,' 'Kingdom of Heaven').

Next up for the actor, who's a new father with wife Miranda Kerr, is the role of the Duke of Buckingham in the upcoming 'The Three Musketeers,' directed by Paul W.S. Anderson and scheduled for an Oct. 14 release, and the thriller 'The Good Doctor,' which has yet to announce a release date.

The first of the two 'Hobbit' movies is planned for a December 2012 release, with the second expected in cinemas a year later.

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Tags: Lord of the Rings, orlando bloom, pirates of the caribbean, The Hobbit

Comments

(8)

Sunday 29 May

By Cait

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Wonderful. Legolas in the Hobbit. He'll fit right in with Galadriel and Frodo, both of whom are NOT IN THE BOOK. If this movie would be directed and put together properly, it wouldn't need to rely on these familiar faces to gain an audience.

By argo

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Wouldn't be surprised if this is studio pressure to have some ties with the last films. Those studio guys like to stack the deck in their favor when dishing out hundreds of millions of bucks.

The question of course is ... How will Jackson use them?

By UhHuh

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Here's a bizarre idea. Although yes I know the movie is based on a noted literary work, why not wait until the movie is out, and judge it on it's own merits? With rare exception, no movie adaptation is faithful to the source material. Or to put it another way, I like The Hobbit as a book. If this film is directed and done as well as the LOTR films were, despite having items that were also different from the books, then I'm sure it will be as enjoyable as well.

By Valle

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God, only if he stays there, whence he came! What an ugly over rated turd. He gets the best beards though!

By LO

blllahhh blahhh

By jenjutz

The two movies are not just "The Hobbit". Part of the movies will be about throwing Sauron out of Mirkwood. This story lies in the appedix of the last book in the trilogy. Galadriel, Sauruman, Gandalf, and Elrond (the White Council) throw the Necromancer out. Since it takes place in Mirkwood, Legolas would be there. He is the son of the king. Also covered in the appendix is the love story between Aragorn and Arwen. (which is very similar the that between Beren and Luthien as told in "The Silmarillion")

Monday 30 May

By 1flynbryn

your knowledge and insight are refreshing and much appreciated jenjutz! thank you.. I look forward to the movies

By Ted

Oh good! Now I can sleep tonight.

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