Director and producer Peter Jackson announced on his Facebook page Thursday that loquacious British actor, comedian, television host, writer and avid Tweeter Stephen Fry has been tagged to play the role of the Master of Laketown in the upcoming two-part feature adaption of J.R.R. Tokein’s fantasy tome, The Hobbit.
Jackson also revealed that the Master’s conniving servant Alfred will be played by Ryan Gage, and the role of Azog the Orc has fallen to Conan Stevens. Fry joins an all-star cast which already includes Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Andy Serkis, Ian Holm, Hugo Weaving, Cate Blanchett, Christopher Lee, Orlando Bloom and Elijah Wood, among (many) others.
“I’ve known Stephen for several years, and we’re developing a ‘Dambusters’ movie together,” Jackson said, referencing an upcoming WWII action flick from his WingNut Films, “In addition to his writing skills, he’s a terrific actor and will create a very memorable Master for us.”
The Hobbit began shooting in New Zealand in March of this year, with filming being done in full stereo 3-D. Warner Bros. will be releasing the New Line/MGM/WingNut films theatrically in 2012 and 2013. Lord of the Rings veteran fx studio Weta Digital, of which Jackson is a co-founder, will be handling effects work for the films.
