Quick, grab the ent-draught and gather 'round, for I have some exciting news from Middle-Earth! Peter Jackson has put out word that extras for The Hobbit are in dire need. But he's doing it old school for some reason.

Director Guillermo del Toro and executive producer and co-writer Peter Jackson are taking applications via snail mail, a casting video must be included, and New Zealand citizens get priority over other nationalities.

I'm well aware that the Hobbit was set sometime between the "Dawn of Færie" and the "Dominion of Men," but surely their application requirements could be more suited to the 21st century? If only so we can chuckle at YouTube entries of curly-haired Kiwis lisping over their lines. We might even spot a new Figwit that way, destined to go on to greats things like Flight of the Conchords. [PopWatch]