Peter Jackson has announced that casting for the Hobbit movies is about to begin.
Jackson told The Hollywood Reporter's Heat Vision Blog that casting begins this week.
Of the original Lord of the Rings cast only Ian McKellen is confirmed as returning in his role as Gandalf. All other roles will be filled by actors new to the series.
"We're auditioning for every role," Jackson says. "These movies have never been a star-driven vehicle. The star is Tolkien and the world he created. We are not under any pressure.
"We want to find the right people. Casting someone to portray a hobbit is not as easy as you might imagine. They have to have a particular type of physical appearance and a sensibility. And the same with an elf or a dwarf."
Jackson also emphasised that the film is still on course for its Christmas 2011 release after rumours that delays to the filming schedule might push the relase date back.
"We were always planning to shoot around April or May next year, and as far as I'm aware, we're pretty much on target for that.
"It depends on how quickly the studio greenlights the film. It's not in our hands. But as long as we're shooting next year, we're fine," said Jackson.
