Pretty much every actor who portrayed a popular character in director Peter Jackson‘s epic Lord of the Rings trilogy has been rumored to be coming back in one aspect or another for the two-part adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien‘s earlier classic, The Hobbit.

Many of the characters who are said to be returning had absolutely nothing to do with Tolkien’s Hobbit, and were only introduced later on in Rings. Nevertheless, one must understand that in addition to making a strong adaptation of The Hobbit, Jackson also must try and secure the fanbase he had from LOTR“”including those who never read the books from which these movies are made.

And so, Jackson made one of the rumored names official today with the announcement that Orlando Bloom has signed on to reprise his role as the elven archery master, Legolas.