Playing the Goblin King

Barry Humphries has been signed up to appear in The Hobbit movies.

Director Peter Jackson announced via Facebook that the 77-year-old Dame Edna creator will be playing the Goblin King in the two-part, $500 million, film.

‘I'm highly excited that Barry Humphries will be portraying the Goblin King, in much the way Andy Serkis created Gollum,’ he wrote.

‘Barry is perhaps best known for his business and social connections as the long-time manager of Dame Edna Everage. He has also been an ardent supporter of the rather misunderstood and unfairly maligned Australian politician, Sir Les Patterson.

‘However, in his spare time, Barry is also a fine actor, and we're looking forward to seeing him invest the Goblin King with the delicate sensitivity and emotional depth this character deserves.’

Martin Freeman takes on the central role of Bilbo Baggins, while other cast members include Stephen Fry as The Master of Laketown, and Flight Of The Conchords star Bret McKenzie, who plays Lindir, an Elf of Rivendell

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is due to be released in December 2012, with The Hobbit: There And Back Again out a year later.

Published: 20 Jun 2011