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UPFRONTS 2013: The Overachievers 
EXCLUSIVE: Luke Evans has bagged the role of Bard in The Hobbit, a last major part that Peter Jackson hadn’t cast in a production that’s underway in New Zealand. Bard the Grim is a skilled archer, and the heir of King Girion of Dale. The king was killed by the talking dragon Smaug. The character plays a greater role in the second film, and is somewhat reminiscent of the action-hero exploits of Viggo Mortensen’s Aragorn, I’m told.
It seemed evident that the Welsh actor was going to win one of these roles that involve a competition between multiple young thesps. He was a finalist to play the lead in Tony Gilroy’s The Bourne Legacy that went to Jeremy Renner, and was a finalist for the role of Tom Buchanan in The Great Gatsby, which went to Joel Edgerton. Evans plays Aramis in the upcoming Three Musketeers, after supporting roles in Immortals, Robin Hood and Clash of the Titans. He’s repped by WME and Ruth Young at United Agents in the UK.
That leaves the voice of Smaug as the major casting yet to be revealed. I’d heard early on that it would likely be Bill Nighy, but have heard nothing since then.
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I always pictured Bard as much more of a seasoned warrior than a dashing hero (kinda like Sean Bean’s Game of Thrones character Ned Stark). However I’m excited to see this take on him, Luke Evans is very underrated and I think will be great.
This role went out to a number of actors. Michael Fassbender nearly did it, Clive Owen turned it down and Henry Ian Cusick did SCANDAL instead. Go figure.
Fassbender would have been cool, but he’s been too damn busy lately. Why the hell would anyone turn down a potential Oscar winning film from Peter Jackson in a strong franchise?
It’s a bit early to judge the look of the character, no? Maybe we should wait until we actually see him in costume, performing?
Luke is also the star of the awesome David Cohen script NO ONE LIVES which Ryûhei Kitamura is directing in Louisiana right now…
Thanks for the heads up David!
No. I’m the other one.
I agree with Joe W. Luke Evans is a fine actor, but I envisioned Bard as an older, more grizzled (and dare I say “manly”) figure. A seasoned warrior. He should feel like he has a few more battles under his belt to stand apart from typical LOTR casting.
Peter Jackson has done well in casting a little younger, I mean just look at Stuart Townsend and Ryan Gosling …
Oh, wait
Elisha Wood was 18 years old when PJ cast him for LOTR and he carried the franchise very successfully. With very few exceptions, the casting for the Tolkien films have been spot-on. And when it hasn’t worked out — like with Townsend — PJ immediately corrected the situation with an outstanding replacement — like Viggo.
So all things considered, yeah, Jackson has done an outstanding job with casting parts — young and old.
Luke Evans. That is all.
As long as Tom Bombadil isn’t in this…Yo ho ho.
“That leaves the voice of Smaug as the major casting yet to be revealed. I’d heard early on that it would likely be Bill Nighy, but have heard nothing since then.”
I believe that to give voice to Smaug, a great voice, it will be Benedict Cumberbatch. Bill Nighy can remain at home.
Luke Evans can go grizzled and badass. Just wait until NO ONE LIVES by Dave Cohen with Ryuhei Kitamora directing, comes out. We’ll see how perfect he is for the Bard. And he’ll crush it.
Luke Evans is great. I’ve seen his work and he has an old soul. He will be perfect for this!
Is Luke the only client still with Luber Rocklin?? Or has he fired them too?
He will. Matter of time.
CONFIRMED ***ROLE*** I MEANT
Yay another pretty boy in Peter Jackson’s movie to make it super gay.
Luke Evan’s isn’t actually that pretty. But I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Luke Evans is a bad ass.
Owen was considered ? Man, sometimes casting directors need to look ABOVE the status quo. Thats what thius casting is and he’ll bring nothing exciting. sad.
i just imagined Smaug being voiced by Samuel L Jackson and got a good laugh.