Cate Blanchett gets role in The Hobbit

Director Peter Jackson will bring Cate Blanchett back to the screen in The Hobbit, reprising the role of Galadriel, whichshe played in his Lord of the Rings trilogy.

J.R.R. Tolkien's original fantasy tale The Hobbit does not actually mention Galadriel, a leader of the elf people who made a powerful impression in Lord of the Rings.

But Jackson appears ready to tamper with Tolkien's story to bring back a popular character. He is reported to be beefing up the female roles in The Hobbit, notably lacking in all of Tolkien's work.

Blanchett is an Australian actor and theatre director who also appeared in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Elizabeth: The Golden Age.

The Hobbit is set to begin filming in New Zealand next February, after Jackson worked out his differences with local film unions.

Other casting that has been confirmed:

• Radagast the Brown, a wizard friend of Gandalf, to be played by Scottish actor Sylvester McCoy.
• The dwarf Balin, to be played by Scottish actor Ken Stott.
• Beorn, to be played by Swedish actor Mikael Persbrandt.
• The hobbit Drogo, to be played by British actor Ryan Gage.
• Dwarves Nori and Bifur, to be played by New Zealand actors Jed Brophy and William Kircher.

Ian McKellen has not yet been confirmed in the role of Gandalf, the wizard. Martin Freeman was previously announced to play hero Bilbo Baggins and Richard Armitage will portray Thorin Oakenshield, the leader of the Company of Dwarves.