Northern Irish actor James Nesbitt says the recent violence in Belfast, over a decision to fly the Union flag less frequently, is due to weak leadership and a lack of foresight. The Protestant actor, who grew up in Portrush, County Antrim, believes those responsible need to think of the children and the country’s future.

Dublin-born actor Aidan Turner has just touched down in New York after a direct flight from the world premiere of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey in Wellington, New Zealand. He’s already so jet-lagged he hardly knows where he is. The only thing that connects to each day is the hordes of screaming fans behind the rope lines.

“Lord of the Rings” director Peter Jackson has confirmed on Facebook that “The Hobbit” will become a film trilogy.

“Lord of the Rings” fans pay attention! Comic Con has announced that this year’s festival in San Diego (12th – 15th July) will feature exclusive previews from Peter Jackson’s “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey”.

The word out of CinemaCon about the new Hobbit film was the kind of bad publicity that money simply wouldn't care to buy. After a decidedly mixed reaction from the public to Peter Jackson's 10 minutes of new footage, the director did a quick media tour to quell the naysayers.

This Tuesday “Lord of the Rings” director Peter Jackson debuted ten minutes of footage from the upcoming “The Hobbit”, starring Aidan Turner, to the crown at CinemaCon. Shockingly the crowds were not all that impressed.

Finally the first trailer for Peter Jackson’s “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” has been released. The long anticipated movie stars a host of Irish and Irish American stars including James Nesbitt (“Bloody Sunday”, “Waking Ned”) and Aidan Turner (“The Tudors”, “Being Human”).

Evangeline Lilly and Barry Humphries are the latest stars to be cast in Peter Jackson’s “The Hobbit”, which is currently being filmed in New Zealand.

Finally, Peter Jackson's two-part big screen adaptation of 'The Hobbit' has been announced to the world. This weekend, after much speculation, health delays, Facebook posts and casting rumours the truth is out.

Saoirse Ronan has revealed she will not be playing the woodland elf Itaril in The Hobbit. Ronan had been in serious talks to star in The Lord Of The Rings prequel, which will once again be directed by Peter Jackson, but instead has signed up to star in The Host.

In a bit of Irish poetry, Stuart Townsend, the actor who was originally cast to play Aragorn in Lord of The Rings, has been selected to star in director Peter Jackson's 'The Hobbit.'

Saoirse Ronan was nabbed on the red carpet at the Irish Film and Television Awards. Ronan said there were rumors going around about her involvement in "The Hobbit,” but that’s all they are at the moment -- rumors.

“The Way Back” and “Lovely Bones” star Saoirse Ronan has been confirmed as a cast member of Peter Jackson’s “The Hobbit."

“Cold Feet” actor James Nesbitt is the latest star to be cast in “The Hobbit”.

Irish actor Michael Fassbender has been tipped to star in “The Hobbit” which is due to start filming next February. The Irishman is reportedly on the producers wish list for the upcoming production. “The Inglorious Bastards” star was raised in Killarney, Co. Kerry but is now based in LA.