Billy Connolly is latest star to join 'The Hobbit'

Scottish comedian and actor Billy Connolly has joined the cast of Peter Jackson's epic two-parter 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' and 'The Hobbit: There and Back Again'. He will play Dain Ironfoot.

Ironfoot is the cousin of Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage has been cast in that role), a dwarf who leads main character Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) and a small posse of allies on a quest to win back trewasure from Smaug the dragon.

Director Peter Jackson, who also directed JRR Tolkien's 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy to record-setting grosses and multiple Oscars, released a brief statement confirming the news.

Jackson said: "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. We can’t wait to see him on the Battlefield."

While Connolly is best known as a stand-up comic, he has also been cast in on screen, largely in supporting parts, in movies as diverse as 'Mrs Brown' and 'The Last Samurai'. He is also an avid banjo player.

'The Hobbit' is a precursor to 'The Lord of the Rings'. It has been in production in New Zealand for months now. Connolly is thought to be the final member of the team cast.

It had previously been revealed that Gollum actor Andy Serkis will shoot some second unit on the film, and Benedict Cumberbatch has also revealed his involvement.

The first film is set to hit cinemas just before Christmas.

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