February 10, 2012 17:36

Billy Connolly joins the cast of 'The Hobbit'

Scottish comedian will play Dain Ironfoot in Peter Jackson's new prequel

Billy Connolly has joined the cast of The Hobbit, it has been announced. The Scottish comedian will take the role of Dain Ironfoot in the two-film epic. Ironfoot is a great dwarf warrior and is the cousin of Thorin Oakenshield, the leader of the band of dwarves who accompany Bilbo Baggins on his journey.

Connolly is the last member of the cast to be announced for the Middle Earth saga, with Martin Freeman, Hugo Weaving, James Nesbitt, Cate Blanchett and Stephen Fry among the others already confirmed to star in the films.

In a statement given to the Hollywood Reporter, Peter Jackson, who is directing The Hobbit, said of Connolly's casting: "We could not think of a more fitting actor to play Dain Ironfoot, the staunchest and toughest of Dwarves, than Billy Connolly, the Big Yin himself. With Billy stepping into this role, the cast of The Hobbit is now complete. We can't wait to see him on the battlefield!"

The first of two movies, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, is released in December. You can watch the trailer for the film by scrolling down to the bottom of the page and clicking.