HOBBIT UPDATE: Tauriel Image Released!!

Tim here with a new image from THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG of the newly created elf character Tauriel (an elf warrior played by Evangeline Lilly of Lost fame) has been revealed by EW. "She's slightly reckless and totally ruthless and doesn't hesitate to kill," says Lilly. For a larger view of the image click on the image to the left.

As most of you are aware this is a character not originally in any of the writings of JRR Tolkien, and was invented by director Peter Jackson and his co-writers (Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens) in order to expand the world of the elves of Mirkwood Forest… and to bring some more female roles to the predominately male cast of THE HOBBIT. "Tauriel is the head of the Elven Guard," Lilly explains. "She's a Sylvan Elf, which means she's of a much lower order than the elves we all became acquainted with in The Lord of the Rings. She doesn't hold the same kind of status that Arwen or Galadriel or Elrond or Legolas do — she's much more lowly. She sort of goes against the social order of the elves a little bit."

Lilly went on to further explain to EW, "She will definitely have a love story," Lilly says. "I can't give away too much about it. It's not a huge focus but it is there and it is important and it does drive Tauriel and her story and her actions." So what is this romance she speaks of and who is it with? EW pressed about whether the romance would involve Orlando Bloom's Legolas, but Lilly wouldn't give them a definitive answer. She did offer this: "Tauriel's relationship with Legolas is significant. They've known each other since they were children, and Legolas' dad, [Elven king] Thranduil, has a soft spot for Tauriel and sees something very special in her. So if you grow up side by side, and your dad has a very special spot in his heart for this young woman who's a fantastic warrior, I think it's hard not to notice her." She laughs [EW reports]. "That's probably as much as I can say."

Lilly continued to add her expectations for Tolkien purists to hate her and the introduction of the new character: "I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that there are going to be people who will totally hate Tauriel, think that she shouldn't be in the movie, that it's a betrayal of Tolkien, and no matter what I do it won't be right. There will be everything between that and people who adore her and think it's such a fun thing to have added to the film. I kind of got prepped for that being on Lost, because we had avid fans who were really extreme in their feelings about the show and its characters. But I think if anyone knows how to respect Tolkien, it's Peter, Fran and Phil. And Tauriel fits perfectly in that world."

Come December 13^th we can all make up our minds on the addition of the character of Tauriel.

Must See: New Poster And Image Of Evangeline Lilly As Tauriel In THE HOBBIT

Click to enlarge

Couple of new marketing items for you to have a look at from THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY. A rather cool looking poster featuring Martin Freeman as a rather intent looking Bilbo Baggins and a new image of Evangeline Lilly as Tauriel. Of course Tauriel does not appear in Tolkien's THE HOBBIT, but she appears to be a rather gifted warrior with a bow and arrow in Peter Jackson's take on the material. Think female Legolas and you probably wouldn't be too far off. I think she looks the part, so why not introduce this new role if it helps carry 3 movies somehow more effectively?

Here's the official storyline for the movie:
The adventure follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakenshield. Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Sorcerers. Although their goal lies to the East and the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain, first they must escape the goblin tunnels, where Bilbo meets the creature that will change his life forever…Gollum. Here, alone with Gollum, on the shores of an underground lake, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths of ingenuity and courage that surprise even him, he also gains possession of Gollum’s “precious” ring that holds unexpected and useful qualities… A simple, gold ring that is tied to the fate of all Middle-earth in ways Bilbo cannot begin to know.

THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY opens on December 14.

Sources: Peter Jackson | TORn