The casting and release dates of Peter Jackson’s two forthcoming films based on JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit have been announced.

The first film will be called The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and will be released in December next year.

The second film The Hobbit: There and Back Again is scheduled to be out in December 2013.

Filming of both Lord of The Rings prequels in New Zealand faced a delay because of a row over actor’s wages and director Peter Jackson being unwell. In January the director was admitted to hospital with a perforated ulcer.

The movies, which will star Office UK actor Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins, were earlier stalled by problems including a debate over distribution rights and the exit of original director Guillermo del Toro.

Hobbit Movie casts many actors and actress from Lord of the Rings series

Sir Ian McKellen and Elijah Wood will reprise their roles as Gandalf the Grey and Frodo respectively. Cate Blanchett will be playing Galadriel. Orlando Bloom appears as Legolas.

Sir Christopher Lee is among the stars who will also appear in the new movies, along with actor Andy Serkis in the liked role of Gollum.

 

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