Orlando Bloom in Talks to Return as Legolas in The Hobbit?

Posted by on December 9th, 2010   Filed under: Books/Comics, Fantasy, Rumours
Source: Deadline New York

We’ve known for a while now that in order to turn The Hobbit into two films, Peter Jackson was going to have to take some liberties by expanding the story and tying it in with The Lord of the Rings trilogy as best he could. J.R.R. Tolkien wrote The Hobbit way before The Lord of the Rings, and the only characters with any overlap in the books are Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf, Elrond and Gollum, but with a movie-going audience that knows the characters from The Lord of the Rings movies, it only makes sense to try to fit some of them in as well. Earlier this week, New Line announced that Cate Blanchett would be reprising her role as Galadriel, the Lady of Lothlorien, in the films. However, if that wasn’t enough, it looks like the bow-wielding elf Legolas is also going to be written into the new movies.

According to Deadline New York, Orlando Bloom is currently in talks to return for one or both of The Hobbit films. His role is said to be significant one (ie. more than just a cameo), and in a way, adding him to the prequel makes a bit of sense as elves live quite a bit longer than most other creatures in Middle Earth. Surely this news will at least make many female fans of The Lord of the Rings happy.

It is good news for Orlando Bloom’s career as well, since he hasn’t done much after The Lord of the Rings films other than The Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy, and he is not returning for part 4. Personally, I’m somewhat indifferent. It will be nice to see more familiar faces in the film, but I just hope it doesn’t turn into a Star Wars: Episode I situation where everything is being retconned to the point where it doesn’t make sense. Then again, Tolkien himself supposedly went back and added some bits and pieces to The Hobbit after he wrote The Lord of the Rings, so maybe it’s not such a big deal. Are you excited to see Orlando Bloom return for The Hobbit? What other characters do you think they might bring back?



  • Strand0410

    There is literally no way Orlando Bloom can be in The Hobbit without it being some tongue-in-cheek, winking-at-the-camera moment. His character wasn’t created until LOTR, only his father featured in The Hobbit, I’d be somewhat annoyed if they gave screen-time to this completely useless character.

    The only way they could tastefully and plausibly have Orlando Bloom is if he’s just sitting as a background character in the king’s court. But this is Orlando fucking Bloom we’re talking about, is this arrangement capable of happening without his agent demanding: A speaking role and/or lots of money? And ultimately to the audience, is this worth it?

    Because I’d be pretty pissed if they gave him a moment where he says something like “I have a feeling we’ll be seeing each other some day” to Gandalf with a knowing wink at the camera. This sort of thing was never in The Hobbit, it doesn’t further the plot, it’s not even flavouring, it’s just gratuitous fan service. Just leave Orlando Bloom out of it and just assume Legolas has gone for a walk or something.

  • rob

    this would be a nice touch if he isnt used in a tongue in cheek way and not playing on the fact the audience is already introduced to legolas

  • amok

    Legolas is a prince of the wood elves, son of the king and their ambassador to Rivendell. The fact that Thranduil sent him to Elrond’s council must mean he’s pretty high up in the court’s hierarchy (Gondor sent the leader of their army and son of the steward and heir to the stewardship, Boromir).

    It would be very odd for him NOT to be a major player in the wood elves army and a leader during the Fight of the Five Armies.

  • GfC

    >>”and in a way, adding him to the prequel makes a bit of sense as elves live quite a bit longer than most other creatures in Middle Earth. ”

    You are aware that this is based on a book, not a loose project? Legolas would have been in the movie anywhay, considering his significance in the story (which you yourself mentioned).

  • Strand0410

    @amok

    Tolkien felt Legolas was such an important character in The Hobbit, he didn’t write a single line for him. Legolas has had his moments in LOTR, where any screentime they give him now will be at the expense of characterising the new cast.

    I always assumed the elves were led by Thranduil himself, and maybe some other captains. Is this so difficult to imagine without Legolas? I’m fine with cutting him out…