Even if the character of Frodo doesn’t appear in J.R.R. Tolkien’s book The Hobbit, Elijah Wood may still make an appearance in Peter Jackson’s two-part film adaptation.
Reportedly, Frodo is slated appear in the opening sequences of the two films, according to Deadline and The One Ring websites.
Cate Blanchett will be reprising her role of Galadriel, and British actor Martin Freeman takes the lead as Bilbo Baggins. The film will follow the adventures of Bilbo elsewhere and his wizard friend Gandalf in their quest to recover a stolen treasure.
Orlando Bloom, who played the elf character Legolas, is also rumoured to be in talks for the films despite his character’s absence in Tolkien’s book. The return of Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis and Hugo Weaving in their respective roles of Gandalf, Elrond and Gollum, has not yet been officially confirmed.
Casting is expected to be announced in the next few weeks since filming is set to begin in New Zealand in February.
Written in 1937, The Hobbit takes place before The Lord of the Rings. In the past, Jackson said that the first part of the film will be more faithful to the book, while in the second instalment, he would take some creative license to help connect it to his famous trilogy.
The first part of The Hobbit is slated for release in December 2012 and the second, on year later – both films are being shot in 3D.