April 6, 2011 18:01

'Flight Of The Conchords' star Bret McKenzie joins 'The Hobbit' cast

McKenzie returns to the Tolkien franchise after small appearances in 'The Lord Of The Rings'

Flight Of The Conchords star Bret McKenzie has joined the cast of Peter Jackson's The Hobbit movie. McKenzie, one half of the New Zealand musical comedy duo, will play an elf in the forthcoming JRR Tolkien adaptation, according to Hollywoodreporter.com.

He previously had minor appearances in the first and third Lord Of The Rings films, before finding fame with Flight Of The Conchords.

His unnamed elf character was popularly named by fans as Figwit, appearing in the council of Elrond Half-elven. Details of McKenzie's character in The Hobbit have not yet been confirmed, although since Elrond also appears in The Hobbit, it is plausible that he could be playing the same character in an expanded role.

McKenzie's Flight Of The Conchords co-star Jermaine Clement can soon be heard in animated comedy Rio.