An interesting casting development in Peter Jackson and Guillermo del Toro’s “The Hobbit” is the announcement that they are casting for a female role.  Who could this role possibly be in “The Hobbit”?

Conjecture is that this must be a featured female role since it is very early on in the casting process and that this role could be for the voice for an animated character or even a dwarf accompanying Bilbo on his journeys since Tolkien wasn’t explicit on the gender of the dwarfs!

Executive Producer Peter Jackson and co-writer/ director Guillermo del Toro are working on a budget, casting, and scheduling for “The Hobbit”.  Casting for “The Hobbit, Part 1” is underway.  As SciFi Mafia previously reported, Sir Ian McKellen will be returning as Gandalf.  Guillermo del Toro has publicly stated that he cannot see anyone other than Andy Serkis as Gollum.

The site acting-auditions.org has posted the following announcement that MGM Studios New Zealand casting for ‘The Hobbit” Part 1 beginning this week:

“Casting is scheduled to begin next week, December 14, 2009, on the upcoming MGM Studios feature film “The Hobbit” Part 1. The project is now being developed as two films, and principal photography is tentatively scheduled to begin in New Zealand around May or June 2011. Please submit photos and resume by mail only. No phone calls or personal drop-offs.”

Principal Actor Casting:
Liz Mullane Casting
(Address TBA)

Extras Casting:
Miranda Rivers
PO Box 6479
Marion Square
Wellington, New Zealand 6022

Liz Mullane Casting has worked with Peter Jackson from his “Heavenly Creatures” days.  Miranda Rivers worked with casting on the LOTR trilogy and Jackson’s “King Kong”.

Considering what Jackson had said about casting out a wide net for the cast for “The Hobbit”, their new discovery could be you!

[Source] TheOneRing, Acting-Auditions