'The Hobbit 2: The Desolation of Smaug' Spoilers & News: Evangeline Lilly Talks About Movie Being Less Male- Focused [VIDEO]
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, star Evangeline Lilly addressed the recent controversy surrounding the film's less male-centric plot at the its Los Angeles premiere on Tuesday, Dec. 3.
The move to not solely focus on the male characters in the film was made to help broaden the picture's overall appeal. Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Lilly said she accepts the controversy and does not let it bother it.
"I really am OK with the controversy," she said. "I invite it. I would rather be in the center of controversy than be on the periphery and an ignored character. Lost was a controversial show and people either loved it or hated it, so that gave me a really thick skin."
She also hoped that her character, Tauriel, served to play a strong role model for young women.
"Tauriel is a wonderful option for young women. She is compassionate and soft-hearted, but there is nothing about her that is weak," she said.
In Desolation of Smaug, Bilbo and his troop of dwarves head toward the Lonely Mountain to reclaim their homeland while Oakenshield encourages them to fight Smaug the Dragon. Bard the Bowman (Luke Evans) plays a key role in the film and the character will be reprised in the next installment, There and Back Again. Legolas will also be featured in the last film of the trilogy but the nature of his role, which could also just be a cameo, has not yet been confirmed.
The film also features Beorn (Mikael Persbrandt), who can shift between the form of a man and a bear.
Filming for The Hobbit: There and Back Again is already underway.
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug hits theaters Dec. 13. The Hobbit: There and Back Again is scheduled for release on July 18, 2014.
Watch a trailer of the film:
