Movie role for Conchords star

Flight of the Conchords star Bret McKenzie has joined the cast of The Hobbit, playing an elf.

The comic appeared as an extra in the first and third Lord of the Rings films, where his unnamed character was nicknamed Figwit by online fans – standing for ‘Frodo is great ... who is that.’ He had no lines in the first film, and just one in the third.

Now, Hollywood trade paper Variety confirms that he will be playing Lindir, an Elf of Rivendell who listens to one of Bilbo Baggins’ poetry readings.

Director Peter Jackson began shooting the two-part film in New Zealand last month. It stars Martin Freeman as Bilbo, with Andy Serkis, Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen and Cate Blanchett reprising their roles from The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

The films should be released in late 2012 and late 2013.

Published: 5 Apr 2011