Our Swedish message board member macfalk has alerted us to a story over at Swedish website Nöjesbladet (the same that had previously broken the news that Michael Persbrandt had been cast in the role of Beorn) that talks about the Swedish actor prepping for the upcoming Hobbit films.

Here’s the English translation of the relevant bits of the article courtesy of macfalk:

This spring, Persbrandt has a super-tight schedule. February 15 is the day when filming begins for “The Hobbit” where he plays Beorn, a shape-shifter character on the good side. According to Nöjesbladet’s sources, Persbrandt is now working out twice a day to get in shape for the two films besides taking lessons to improve his English before debuting in Hollywood.

Find the rest of the transcription over at our message boards.

Read more about Michael Persbrandt and his character Beorn over at TORN’s exclusive Hobbit section.