Actor Stephen Fry has joined the cast of The Hobbit.
Variety reports that Peter Jackson has tapped Fry to play the Master of Laketown in the film. Jackson broke the news via his Twitter feed.
“I’ve known Stephen for several years, and we’re developing a Dambusters movie together,” Jackson said. “In addition to his writing skills, he’s a terrific actor and will create a very memorable Master for us.”
Jackson also disclosed that the Master’s conniving civil servant Alfrid will be played by Ryan Gage and that Conan Stevens will be playing an Orc called Azog.
Jackson began shooting the two films in New Zealand in 3D in mid-March. Hobbit cast includes Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins and Andy Serkis, Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen and Cate Blanchett reprising their roles from the original trilogy.
J.R.R. Tolkien novel is set 60 years before Lord of the Rings, with Bilbo the unassuming Hobbit who becomes a hero by obtaining a powerful ring in the face of challenges by the wicked Gollum and a dragon named Smaug.
New Line parent Warner Bros. reached a deal in January to handle worldwide distribution on The Hobbit, taking over most international distribution and homevideo on the two films from MGM in exchange for funding MGM’s half of the production costs.
I’m an enormous fan of Stephen Fry. I can only see his addition to The Hobbit as a good thing!