Ever-charming comedian and actor Billy Connolly, who will be playing the role of Dain Ironfoot in The Hobbit, chats with the Sydney Morning Herald about the new Pixar film Brave.
No additional Hobbit spoilers in this interview, but he is very funny as usual. And who doesn’t love a Scots accent?
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Posted in Billy Connolly In this interview published yesterday in Australian media outlet News.com.au, Billy Connolly speaks forthrightly about the newest projects he’s been involved in: Brave and Quartet.
He saves the best for last though, dropping a bombshell spoiler about his role as Dain Ironfoot in the Hobbit. It’s just so outrageous that maybe, just maybe, he’s pulling our leg?
Posted in Billy Connolly, Hobbit Movie, Rumors Spy News, The HobbitBilly Connolly returned to New Zealand today after a brief tour to promote the animated movie “Brave,” which was three years in the making. He was glad to be back to complete his role as Dain Ironfoot.
“I have a war to fight. Elves to kill. Orcs to maim,” he says.
And he has really enjoyed working with Peter Jackson, who obviously sets a high standard.
“He knows what he wants and he stays on the case until he gets it. It’s highly technical and we do a lot of takes. It’s not like normal movies where you just have to get your words right and avoid the furniture.”
But Billy isn’t sure how long he will be in New Zealand although he hasn’t done much sightseeing yet and revealed he has an invitation to “The Hobbit” wrap party on July 7th. So only a little while longer for Billy to be a dwarf warrior. Pickups are expected to take place after the official wrap, so some filming will go on after the July 7 party.
Posted in Billy Connolly, Events, Hobbit Cast News, Hobbit Movie, Other Events, The Hobbit
THERE AND BACK: today on our *Live* webcast TORn TUESDAY, our intrepid host Clifford “Quickbeam” Broadway has just returned from New Zealand where many magical things were witnessed ON THE ACTUAL SET OF THE HOBBIT, but secrecy abounds! Be tantalized and teased with a unique 1st person account of travels to the real Middle-earth! We also pay tribute to our fallen friend and Memorial Day remembrance for our brave heroes abroad. Come join the show via Stickam (account “theoneringnet”) using your own Skype login or via our Live Event Page with our unique Barliman’s chat embedded in the show!
Tune into our show at 5:00pm PDT (that’s L.A. time folks — click here to see when it is in your city!), and just click to our Live Event page.
Posted in Adam Brown, Barlimans, Billy Connolly, Crew News, Director news, Fans, Green Books, Hobbit Cast News, Hobbit Movie, John Callen, Locations Sets, Mark Hadlow, Miscellaneous, MrCere in New Zealand, Out on a Limb, Peter Jackson, Production, Richard Armitage, TheOneRing.net Announcements, TheOneRing.net Community, TORn TUESDAYS Live!, WETA Cave, WETA Workshop
Billy Connolly has finally arrived in New Zealand to film his part as Dain Ironfoot as the Herald on Sunday reports:
Comedy superstar Billy Connolly will squeeze into a fat suit to make him look shorter for his role as a dwarf in The Hobbit.
The New York-based funnyman travelled to New Zealand last week to prepare for filming.
The 1.8m tall Scot – nicknamed the Big Yin – will be transformed into the Wee Yin when he plays tiny warrior Dain Ironfoot in Peter Jackson’s two-part prequel to The Lord of the Rings.
“Billy is a pretty tall guy and he has been measured up for a fat suit so he’ll appear a lot smaller on screen,” a source close to Connolly told the Herald on Sunday. “He has been fairly tickled by it all.”
For battle scenes, the 69-year-old comic and actor has also been kitted out in a suit of armour that he described as “weighing a ton”.
for the full story click [here]
Posted in Billy Connolly, Casting Rumors, Hobbit Cast News, Hobbit Movie, Rumors Spy News, The Hobbit
Greetings all Ringers! By now you now that WonderCon has moved for 2012 down to Anaheim, providing a new opportunity for the dedicated volunteer staff of TORn to bring their sunny best to a rainy weekend in Southern California!
We open the festivities with our much anticipated panel on THE HOBBIT at 12:30pm today… check out the Programming Schedule here:
“12:30-1:30 TheOneRing.net Hobbit Movie Insider’s Preview— Ringers everywhere are eagerly awaiting Peter Jackson’s new Hobbit films during the 75th anniversary year of the book’s publication! Staff writers and scholars from TheOneRing.net web portal invite you to join this lively panel revealing film production surprises and a zealous shredding of rumors! Led by Clifford Broadway (Ringers: Lord of the Fans), Josh Rubinstein (Star Trek: TNG Blu-ray), Cathy Udovch (Cruise to Middle-earth), and Mike Urban (The People’s Guide to J. R. R. Tolkien). Room 207 ”
We are also joined by the legendary Larry Curtis - MrCere – who recently went down to visit the New Zealand production and has a first-hand account. With tons of juicy bits and some fun surprises, you’re sure to get your Hobbity fix on your first day at WonderCon! Come join us in Room 207!
Posted in Billy Connolly, Casting Rumors, Conventions, Director news, Events, Fans, Headlines, Hobbit Cast News, Hobbit Movie, Locations Sets, MrCere in New Zealand, Peter Jackson, Production, Rumors Spy News, The Hobbit, Uncategorized, WonderConWelcome to our collection of TORn’s hottest topics for the past w
eek. If you’ve fallen behind on what’s happening on the Message Boards, here’s a great way to catch the highlights. Or if you’re new to TORn and want to enjoy some great conversations, just follow the links to some of our most popular discussions. Watch this space as every weekend we will spotlight the most popular buzz on TORn’s Message Boards. Everyone is welcome, so come on in and join in the fun!
The release and news arrived yesterday that Billy Connolly will play Dain II Ironfoot in the two forthcoming Hobbit movies, directed by Peter Jackson, and with that, all the pieces of the films are in place.
Here in the underground labyrinth that serves as TORn’s offices (with doors leading to L.A., Atlanta, Kenosha and Wellington among other places) a big sigh of relief could audibly heard. Dain II Ironfoot will be included; a talented actor, somebody who already looks like a Middle-earth dwarf, and is a skilled performer will be handling the role. Awesome.
We have full confidence in Connolly — who is best known for his comedy — in what might be inspired casting. His credibility comes from small, dramatic roles (The Last Samurai) which he handles just fine but more from independent films, playing larger parts and lead roles, giving him a lot of experience in front of the camera. General audiences may only think of comedy (and there may be plenty of that in The Hobbit anyway) but they should recognize his considerable talent.
Much more central the sigh of relief was the clarity that the Dain character is in. The complete absence of this important dwarven hero from news or casting announcement was a genuine concern among those trying to piece everything together. It was a glaring omission. (more…)
Posted in Billy Connolly, Casting Rumors, Characters, Hobbit Book, Hobbit Cast News, Hobbit Movie, Peter Jackson, The Hobbit
