'Lost' Star Evangeline Lilly Joins 'The Hobbit'

By Moviefone Editors Posted Jun 20th 2011 07:34AM

It looks like a 'Lost' alum has found a new role in director Peter Jackson's 'The Hobbit.'

Via his Facebook page, Jackson announced the casting of former 'Lost' star Evangeline Lilly in his next epic film.

Lilly won't be playing a hobbit, like her ex-boyfriend (and 'Lost' co-star), Dominic Monaghan did in 'The Lord of the Rings' franchise: She's been cast as a new character, a Woodland Elf named Tauriel. Jackson is coy about the role, which was apparently written just for the film.

"Her name means 'daughter of Mirkwood' and, beyond that, we must leave you guessing," Jackson teased in his post, although he did clarify, "No, there is no romantic connection to Legolas [Orlando Bloom].

"What is not a secret is how talented and compelling an actress Evangeline is," Jackson added. "We are thrilled and excited she will be the one to bring our first true Sylvan Elf to life."

Jackson also announced the casting of Australian actor Barry Humphries (a.k.a. his alter ego, the purple bewigged, sparkly-spectacles aficionado Dame Edna) in the project.

Humphries will be portraying the Goblin King "in much the way Andy Serkis created Gollum," Jackson said. He added that Humphries, who also lent his voice to Bruce the Shark in 'Finding Nemo,' is "a fine actor, and we're looking forward to seeing him invest the Goblin King with the delicate sensitivity and emotional depth this character deserves."

Jackson shared, "We've finished our first block of shooting and moved straight into location scouting," and that these new cast members are joining the production for its "second block of shooting."

These latest additions -- as well as Luke Evans as the Bard and Benedict Cumberbatch as Smaug the dragon-- "just about rounds out the major casting. I cannot wait to get stuck into these new scenes!" Jackson posted.

See more at Moviefone.

Tags: evangeline lilly, The Hobbit

Comments

(7)

Monday 20 June

By Brett

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Good god, he's at it again. Writing new characters for the Hobbit? I bet he cuts out a lot of the ones that were in it to 'make room'. He and his horrible harridan Fran seem to constantly think they know better about Tolkien's stories than Tolkien himself did. They are riding on his brilliance and his beloved stories, while rewriting them to lose all original meaning, because apparently they just know best. I won't be watching this nightmare.

By swasdiva

I adore that another Lostie will have a tie to the LOTR franchise, I really do, but why do we need a character that's not in the book? Meh.

By cali1086

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that's kinda nasty. i would keep those thoughts to myself (the bathwater part that is)

By Tiffany

I don't like/ dislike this, all I care is that Richard Armitage is in it :)

By Macie

Nothing against Evangeline Lilly, she appears to be a lovely person. But, he should put a character in the movie that's not in the book. He should stay true to the book. I hope she didn't sleep with PJ to get him to do this. He's is a toad.

That's supposed to be he shouldn't put a character in the movie that is not in the book.

Sunday 26 June

By Mathee

After what he did to The lovely Bones I doubt if he will stay true to the novel. Was seriously disappointed and so should the Author Anne Sebold be.

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