Recasting The Hobbit Trilogy (If It Were Made In The US)
Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit trilogy, based on the journey of Bilbo Baggins of Bag End to the Lonely Mountain with the company of Thorin Oakenshield, might not be as beloved as his mammoth The Lord Of The Rings trilogy, yet it nonetheless has millions of fans worldwide.
Close to a decade after the first film, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey was released, one wonders if the films can be recast with American stars. As LOTR is gearing up for its own streaming service adaptation, it would be fun to reimagine the roles with an extremely talented group of US-based actors, including an unconventional choice or two that nevertheless offers food for thought.
11 Tauriel: Jennifer Lawrence
Evangeline Lily’s powerful she-elf might not be a fan favorite but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t deserve a lovely recasting if the trilogy were to be remade in the US.
The gorgeous Jennifer Lawrence is not only an Academy Award winner at a significantly young age but she has also made a name for herself in popular franchises such as The Hunger Games and X-Men series. The role of the warrior elf, Tauriel, who falls in love with a handsome young dwarf seems tailor-made for Lawrence who pulls off a range of emotions with an easy grace.
10 Kili: Michael B. Jordan
The young dwarf, Kili, whom Tauriel grew to love, and who loved her back, was played by the handsome Irish, Aidan Turner. Kili was charming, a valiant soldier, and the only dwarf to get a romantic storyline.
The dashing Michael B. Jordan seems like an ideal candidate to step into those shoes. Jordan brings intensity to any role and fans would be fascinated to see how he makes the role his own.
9 Bard: Jake Gyllenhaal
Luke Evans’ Bard saved the townspeople from the terrible wrath of the dragon Smaug and then got together with the Elven king to demand the rightful share of the gold in the Lonely Mountain for the people of Lake-Town.
The intense Jake Gyllenhaal might be an interesting casting choice for the righteous Bard. Used to playing somewhat reserved characters, Gyllenhaal, a terrific actor, would bring a different dimension to the role of the brave widower with three kids.
8 Thranduil: Jared Leto
The actor whose career has spanned across television, motion picture as well as music, might have his own quirky take on the dignified Thranduil, played in Peter Jackson’s trilogy by Lee Pace.
Leto has been a common face in recent years and while Thranduil’s character might not have had a lot of screen time in the original, it goes without saying that the role would stand out if it were to be recast with someone like Leto.
7 Legolas: Ryan Gosling
Orlando Bloom played the Mirkwood elf in the entire overall franchise starting from the first installment of The Lord Of The Rings that released way back in 2001, right until the final installment of the Hobbit trilogy, which ended with his character going to look for a young ranger called Strider, thus setting up the premise for the LOTR movies.
Ryan Gosling would be perfect for stepping into Bloom’s shoes. With his boyish charm and charisma, he can very easily don Legolas’ quiver and fight army after army of orcs.
6 Balin: Danny DeVito
Danny DeVito would make a very curious addition to a fresh cast of the Hobbit movies. DeVito has, over the decades, refined his mastery over the craft, and his versatility would make him a very interesting choice for the role of the sedate, fatherly Balin.
Played originally by Scottish actor Ken Stott, the elderly Balin was the one who brought the wisdom to the otherwise boisterous gang of dwarves. While the senior actor seems to have taken a backseat these days, it would be great to see him bringing his magic to the screen once more and interpreting the role in his own way, making it both funny and compassionate.
5 Galadriel: Angelina Jolie
Possibly one of the most powerful elves in Middle Earth, the Lady Galadriel has become synonymous in the public imagination with the stunning Cate Blanchett. The Woods of Lothlorien would hardly be the same without her nigh omnipotence.
In an American recasting, the same power and mystique can be recreated by none other than Angelina Jolie, who would imbue the role with her intensity and conjure up a magnificent viewer experience.
4 Gollum: Andy Serkis
One of the most fascinating literary characters, Gollum, was played almost to perfection by Andy Serkis, and it is hard to imagine anyone else embracing the role in quite the same way.
The captivating way Serkis brought to life the deeply conflicted creature who develops an obsession with the One Ring and who, in the first Hobbit movie, The Unexpected Journey, reprised his role to engage in a game of riddles with Bilbo Baggins, can never really be recast, whatever the version.
3 Gandalf: Morgan Freeman
Sir Ian McKellen has left an indelible impression with his take on the wizard Gandalf, so much so that it is almost unthinkable that anyone else should ever play the Grey Wizard.
However, since it is a recast, someone of equal caliber for the role is in order, such as Morgan Freeman. With his characteristic twinkling eyes and flamboyance, Freeman would be a fascinating recasting for Gandalf.
2 Thorin: Will Smith
Will Smith is of course an unlikely choice for the role of the driven Thorin Oakenshield, haunted by the memories of his past and out to avenge his fellow dwarves. Actor Richard Armitage did a memorable job as the heir to the Kingdom under the Mountain, but it would be interesting to reimagine the role with someone who can do a comic turn every now and then, and also invoke great love, sincerity, and passion.
Smith has often been hailed as a great actor for his immense repertoire of roles that has included serious as well as funnier characters. While best known for bringing a fun element to his roles, Smith is no stranger to darker roles, and having him as Thorin would put a different, quirky spin on things altogether.
1 Bilbo: Jesse Eisenberg
Last but not the least, Jesse Eisenberg for the lead role of Master Baggins. Like Martin Freeman, Eisenberg too is a tremendous actor, having been nominated for all the major awards and picked up various accolades for his breakout role in David Fincher’s The Social Network at a young age.
Eisenberg is perhaps more used to playing serious roles but given his versatility, it should not be difficult for him to essay the role of the unwilling hobbit from the Shire who ends up having a once-in-a-lifetime-adventure when a wizard lands up at his door.
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