Well, for fans of The Hobbit, there have been two more big questions related to casting Peter Jackson’s upcoming movie.

Who will play Bard the Guardsman, a strong fellow whose skill as an archer becomes very important in the story?

And who will give a voice to the dragon Smaug?

We learned both answers today.

Ladies and gentlemen, here’s Bard, and here’s Smaug.

I’m intrigued. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the first actor, and the second is quite a curious surprise. I’d heard he would be involved. But how? Is his voice really so extraordinary that he’ll be better than my first pick… Tom Waits?

Hopefully, Jackson knows something we don’t.