It’s a fair enough critique. The film does look similar to its predecessors in most ways, but not in all. Notably absent from this teaser were any gay-looking or effeminate men. Thorin Oakenshield is the only new character that stands out, and he looks pretty badass. Whether Bilbo has a male stalker or not remains to be seen (Gollum doesn’t count).

There’s also a new look at Ian McKellen as Gandalf. Or should I say “Sexy Gandalf”? Look at that come hither stare. Dude is ready to pose for Geriatric Romance novels. Either that or he’s trying to inconspicuously let out a fart. You shall not pass gas! (EW)

In case you’re a little rusty on your Tolkien, both of these titles come from chapters of the book (“An Unexpected Party” and “There and Back Again”).  Now, since I don’t have anything else to say about these confirmed titles, here’s a massive list of the cast:

See Video Of Peter Jackson’s ‘The Hobbit’ Being Made Before Your Very Eyes

Whew! No wonder the movie is in two parts. (ComingSoon)

‘‘One of them had some burnt nostril hairs and, apparently if that’s the case, there is always the risk of inhalation so they get checked out.’’

Just some burnt nostril hairs, nothing to be alarmed about. There was no fire, either, according to the statement. Still, if I were Martin Freeman, I’d think about taking out an extra insurance policy or something. (The Sydney Morning Herald)

Cumberbatch will be sharing the screen with Freeman once again in… The Hobbit. I’m not sure what role Cumberbatch will be playing as his appearance was intended to be a secret, which I guess was news to the film’s star when he run and told dat to Bleeding Cool. Now Freeman has told Digital Spy about the kind of heat he is worried he’ll be taking.

“I knew I was a bigmouth, I didn’t know how much of a bigmouth, and I’ve ruined everything. And now I might not have a job to go back to!”

Oh, Martin. Of course you’ll have a job to go back to. The Hobbit can’t afford another setback.

Now director Peter Jackson has asked McKenzie to return to Middle Earth, this time as the Elf of Rivendell himself, Lindir, in The Hobbit. Hopefully this will give McKenzie a chance to strap on an accoustic guitar and sing a comedy song that inspires you to faintly smile and nod your head a tiny bit in amusement.

Based on the classic J.R.R. Tolkien novel, The Hobbit also stars Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen and Cate Blanchett. The two parts will venture into theaters late 2012 and late 2013. (Variety)

I’ve seen Bilbo — in three dimensions.

I was visiting old friends in the Stone Street offices and heard Martin Freeman was just round the corner by the permanent greenscreen, done up as Bilbo, testing his costume in front of the 3D cameras. Indeed, there he was in the open air, mostly oblivious to the camera, though turning this way and that as required. Martin improvised a hobbity gait, padding back and forth, testing his big hairy Hobbit feet, pointy ears and little tum.

Beneath the shade of a tent, in a sun hat, Andrew Lesnie was remotely controlling the two lenses within the mighty camera which digitally records in 3D. His screen showed the familiar 2D image but next to it, above the director’s chair, was a large colour screen in full magical three dimensions, much as it will appear in the cinema — courtesy of the spy-glasses that transform the blurred outlines onscreen to the high definition exactitude of the 3D effect.

Three Bilbos simultaneously, two performances on screen and the actor beyond: which was the real one? Martin Freeman was transmuting into a character whose reality will soon be as authentic as his own.

Niiiiice. Spoken only like a guy with “Sir” in front of his name can. Although, admittedly, when I imagined his highly-respected voice saying he saw a bilbo in three dimensions, I lol’d.

The Hobbit is underway, looking to begin principal photography later this month.  (ComingSoon)

Here we see Martin Freeman (BBC’s The Office) who’ll play “Bilbo Baggins,” one of the funniest character names ever. Unfortunately, a lot of the big names are missing from this photo, like Ian McKellen or Cate Blanchett, but we do see a lot of the guys playing his back-up dwarves, like Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield, Mark Hadlow as Dori, and Ken Stott as Dwarf Lord Balin. Boy, you know that dwarf is straight Balin, amiright?

The Hobbit journeys epically to theaters December 2012 & 2013. (FirstShowing)

It’s good to know that some forward momentum is being made on The Hobbit despite the labor disputes that are tripping up the film’s location. The first round of casting has been announced and you’re going to be psyched. But only if you’re knowledgeable about British television. Here’s who we got so far:

Martin Freeman (UK "The Office") as Bilbo Baggins
Richard Armitage ("Spooks") as Thorin Oakenshield, Dwarf leader
Aidan Turner ("Being Human") as Kili
Rob Kazinsky ("EastEnders") as Fili
Graham McTavish (Secretariat) as Dwalin
John Callen ("Power Rangers Jungle Fury") as Oin
Stephen Hunter ("All Saints") as Bombur
Mark Hadlow (King Kong) as Dori
Peter Hambleton ("The Strip") as Gloin
 
Ian McKellan and Andy Serkis have not been confirmed to return, but that announcement is expected. Stephen Fry, Saoirse Ronan, Bill Nighy, James Nesbitt, and David Tennant are all also rumored to be up for parts. But I think the biggest news to come out of this is that there’s a show called "Power Rangers Jungle Fury" and it actually lead to someone getting more work. (Deadline)

_{You want Bilbo Baggins, Freeman wants a Kit-Kat.}

People are talking about The Hobbit again. Yesterday, The Sun reported that New Line and MGM were doing everything short of offering up hookers to land Martin Freeman (The British "The Office") for the role of Bilbo Baggins. We obviously dismissed it because The Sun has as much clout as Highlights Magazine, but now Entertainment Weekly is reporting that the rumors are true. TRUE!

It was at first thought that Freeman declined the offer to star in the inevitable blockbuster due to his committment to the BBC series "Sherlock." Well someone must have screamed some sense in his face because the studios are now working out a deal that would allow him to appear in both projects. If they land the actor, all they’ll need to worry about next is money and a director. Those kind of major factors usually fall into place last minute though. Take it from MGM, the studio without a bush to piss in or a lion’s den to throw it out of.