Peter Jackson has taken some creative liberty and cast some eye candy into The Hobbit with the addition of Orlando Bloom, who will be reprising his role as Legolas. The character of Legolas is not in the original book, but does that matter?

Even though Legolas does not appear in the original story The Hobbit, written by J.R.R. Tolkien in 1937, director Peter Jackson has decided his character is important to the story.

"Ten years ago, Orlando Bloom created an iconic character with his portrayal of Legolas," Jackson wrote on his Facebook page. "I'm excited to announce today that we'll be revisiting Middle Earth with him once more. I'm thrilled to be working with Orlando again. Funny thing is, I look older -- and he doesn’t! I guess that’s why he makes such a wonderful elf."

Bloom, who now has a son named Flynn with his wife Miranda Kerr, played Legolas in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

The British actor will return to New Zealand where Jackson is shooting the two-part prequel to the Lord of the Rings.

Other cast members who will be returning include Elijah Wood as Frodo Baggins, Ian McKellen as Gandalf, Andy Serkis as Gollum and Cate Blanchett as Galadriel.

Tell us: Are you happy Jackson is not following the original book and adding Legolas into The Hobbit?