The Hobbit has been shooting for a few weeks now in New Zealand, and Peter Jackson has been right there on the film's Facebook page keeping all of us eager fans apprised on every bit of it's progress. Such as today, where he was more than happy to announce that Lee Pace would be joining the film as the Elven King, Thranduil...
Jackson: “I'm also pleased to announce that Lee Pace will be playing the Elven King Thranduil. Casting these Tolkien stories is very difficult, especially the Elven characters, and Lee has always been our first choice for Thranduil. He's going to be great. We loved his performance in a movie called The Fall
a few years ago, and have been hoping to work with him since. When we were first discussing who would be right for Thranduil, Lee came into mind almost immediately.”Thranduil is an important character in The Hobbit, but also has a lasting effect on the entire Lord of the Rings series. He is the father of Legolas, the popular elf played by Orlando Bloom. Bloom is still rumored to be a part of The Hobbit, although nothing has been confirmed just yet.
In other minor casting news, Dean O'Gorman will play Fili, one of the dwarves accompanying Bilbo on his quest. O'Gorman is replacing Rob Kazinsky, who dropped out a couple of weeks ago.
Lee Pace is probably best known for starring in the short-lived cult favorite series, Pushing Daisies
. 
