John Rhys-Davies Won't Return To Middle-Earth For 'The Hobbit' - Not As A Dwarf

For months we've been dying to know who is cast in the upcoming Guillermo del Toro film, The Hobbit. One Lord of the Rings actor has officially confirmed that he will not return to the new film, and it’s John Rhys-Davies.

Davies starred in the original Lord of the Rings trilogy as Gimli the dwarf, a memorable character. Over at Empire, they caught up with the actor and got him to talk about a possible return to Middle Earth in The Hobbit, a return that he doesn’t consider likely.

“I’ve already been asked and to be honest with you, I wouldn’t. I have already completely ruled it out. There’s a sentimental part of me that would love to be involved again. Really I am not sure my face can take that sort of punishment any more.”

Even with that clear declaration, they pressed the actor to see if he would even be interested in making a cameo appearance.

“Why would you want to do it if it was just a couple of shots? When you’ve been 1 of 1, why would you want to be 1 of 13?”

But the production did ask if he'd be interested in returning. "It was just a gentle "What would you feel about putting it on again?" But no. I'd be interested in trying to create a different type of persona within... the thing. That is challenging as an actor. I'd really prefer to play something quite different. Maybe an Elf. They've got a different set of problems with The Hobbit because you've got 13 dwarves, a whole band of them... You're trying to represent a whole race... You're trying to do for dwarves what The Lord of the Rings did for hobbits. "

Hmm, so Gimli won't be playing his own father, it seems - but he isn't completely ruling out a return to the world of Middle Earth. Still, we're going to have to put him out of the running in our fantasy casting of Thorin Oakenshielf, Fili, Kili, Oin, Gloin, Dwalin, Balin, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Dori, Nori and Ori.

At the moment the only other actor attached to the film who appeared in the previous LOTR movies is Ian McKellen, who can’t wait to get into his costume again.

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Source: EmpireOnline.com