Stephen Fry and Luke Evans Have Arrived in New Zealand

After a break from the first leg of production, there are signs that The Hobbit is getting ready to start filming again. In just the last 24 hours both Stephen Fry and Luke Evans have landed in New Zealand to begin preparing for their roles. 

Left: Stephen Fry/ Right: Luke Evans

Fry is playing the part of the Master of Laketown, an elected official inclined to look out for himself rather that others. Evans' role is Bard the Bowman, described to be a grim-faced man but of a good, steady character. Much to their fan's delight, both actors have been "Tweeting" their New Zealand experiences on Twitter. Check out some of their posts below:

@Mr_Luke_Evans Luke Evans

photo shoot for Dazed and Confused with awesome photographer Rankin tomorrow in LA before I fly to NZ for the Hobbit. Bring on the Bard!!!!! (July 30)

@stephenfry Stephen Fry

Flying from Cape Town to Jo'burg to Sydney to NZ tomorrow. Will be Tuesday by the time I land in Wellington. Hobbitry beckons. (July 30)

@stephenfry Stephen Fry

Landfall! It's Tuesday here in NZ. Just after midnight. Lordy. (Aug. 1)

@stephenfry Stephen Fry

So here I am in New Zealand. Brightish but not freezing. Time difference a little alarming. We're 11 hours ahead of UK time, so 10:05 now (Aug. 1)

@Mr_Luke_Evans Luke Evans

lovely dinner with the fascinating mr fry and charming mr jackson this evening. (1 hr. ago)

Follow Stephen Fry on Twitter.

Follow Luke Evans on Twitter.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey hits theaters December 14, 2012 followed by The Hobbit: There and Back Again premiering Decemeber 13, 2013.

Benedict Cumberbatch Confirmed Voice of Smaug and Luke Evans Cast as Bard in ‘The Hobbit’

Luke Evans

Benedict Cumberbatch

Two Hobbit casting rumors were laid to rest today as it was announced by Deadline New York that Luke Evans was cast as Bard the Grim and Benedict Cumberbatch is to be the voice of Smaug the dragon. It was just last month Martin Freeman (cast as Bilbo Baggins) let it slip that his Sherlock co-star, Benedict Cumberbatch, had been cast but keep his exact role under raps sending all kinds of rumors flying. With Luke Evans filling the role of Bard we might not be seeing much of him until the seconded instalment, The Hobbit: There and Back Again (in theaters on December 13th, 1213), as Bard the Grim has a bigger role towards the end of the story.

Middle-earth News wants to know what you think of this latest news. Are you excited about The Hobbit’s new cast members?