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The Hobbit Adds Another Criterion Connection In The Form Of Everlasting Moments’ Mikael Persbrandt

While its director, Peter Jackson, was recently admitted to a hospital and subsequently underwent surgery for a perforated ulcer (he is currently doing fine and is looking like he’ll make a routine full recovery), The Hobbit has just gotten a new cast member.

According to the Swedish website, Nojesbladet (via The One Ring), actor Mikael Persbrandt (known in Criterion circles for his turn in the wonderful Everlasting Moments), is currently set to take over the role of Beorn:

This spring, Persbrandt has a super-tight schedule. February 15 is the day when filming begins for ‘The Hobbit’ where he plays Beorn, a shape-shifter character on the good side.  According to  Nöjesbladet’s sources, Persbrandt is now working out twice a day to get in shape for the two films besides taking lessons to improve his English before debuting in Hollywood.

Persbrandt is a really interesting addition to the film, and one that I can wholly get behind.   He was really wonderful in the role of Sigfrid Larsson in Everlasting Moments, and really turned heads in that performance.   I don’t quite know what would be called of him in the role of Beorn, but I do know that he is more than a capable thespian, so no matter the role, it shouldn’t be much of an issue.

What do you think?

Source: Nojesbladet / The One Ring

Joshua Brunsting

Josh is a critic, a member of the Online Film Critics Society, a wrestling nerd, a hip-hop head, a father, a cinephile and a man looking to make his stamp on the world, one word at a time.

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