Cate Blanchett Cast In The Hobbit

Cate Blanchett will be reprising the role of Galadriel the Lady of Lothlorien in The Hobbit.

The Australian actress is the latest name to be added to the ever growing cast list as Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Andy Serkis, Aidan Turner, James Nesbitt are already on board.

Director Peter Jackson said: "Cate is one of my favourite actors to work with and I couldn't be more thrilled to have her reprise the role she so beautifully brought to life in the earlier films.”

Ken Stott, Sylvester McCoy and Mikael Persbarndt have also been named on the cast list. Stott is set to play Dwarf Lord Balin while Persbrandt is shape-shifter Beorn.

McCoy has been linked with the movie for some time and he will take on the role of Radagast the Brown.

However it yet to announced that Ian McKellan will reprise the role of Gandalf.

The Hobbit, which is set to be split into two movies, is due for a 2012 release.