Evangeline Lilly

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Though The Hobbit has been in production since March, the cast continues to expand. Director Peter Jackson took to Facebook Sunday to announce that Lost's Evangeline Lilly and Barry Humphries (a.k.a. Dame Edna) had been added to J.R.R. Tolkien's universe. "Lilly will be playing a new character — the Woodland Elf, Tauriel," Jackson wrote. "Her name means 'daughter of Mirkwood' and, beyond that, we must leave you guessing! (No, there is no romantic connection to Legolas.) What is not a secret is how talented and compelling an actress Evangeline is; we are thrilled and excited she will be the one to bring our first true Sylvan Elf to life.

"I'm also highly excited that Barry Humphries will be portraying the Goblin King, in much the way Andy Serkis created Gollum. Barry is perhaps best known for his business and social connections as the long-time manager of Dame Edna Everage. He has also been an ardent supporter of the rather misunderstood and unfairly maligned Australian politician, Sir Les Patterson. However, in his spare time, Barry is also a fine actor, and we're looking forward to seeing him invest the Goblin King with the delicate sensitivity and emotional depth this character deserves."

Welsh actor Luke Evans and Benedict Cumberbatch were added to the cast last week, and Jackson said that yesterday's announcement concludes the films' major casting.

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