Weaving cast in 'The Hobbit' movies

LONDON, June 15 (UPI) -- Nigerian-born Australian actor Hugo Weaving has been cast in "The Hobbit" movies, the two films' director Guillermo del Toro said.

EW.com reported del Toro confirmed Weaving's hiring to England's BBC Radio 5.

The entertainment news station's Web site said Weaving will reprise his role of the Elven Lord Elrond from "The Lord of the Rings" blockbusters in the upcoming "Hobbit" flicks.

The 49-year-old actor has also starred in "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert," "The Matrix" trilogy and "V for Vendetta."

"Rings" co-stars Andy Serkis and Ian McKellen are set to reprise their respective roles of Gollum and Gandalf as well in "The Hobbit" pictures, which are to be released in 2011 and 2012, EW.com noted.