Legolas Greenleaf

Legolas of Mirkwood, a Silvan Elf of the Sindarin descent and son of Thranduil, the Elvenking. His mother is never mentioned in the books or movies, neither is his age. But he's a wise Elf and must have been hundred, maybe thousand, years old during the War of the Ring, described in the Lord of the Rings.

He is probably the most anticipated character that Orlando ever played and maybe even will play. It was also his first big role.

Legolas was sent to Rivendell by his father. He was there to inform Elrond of Gollum's escape and the upcoming evil in Mirkwood. He attented the Council of Elrond and was chosen to be one of the nine that would be 'the Fellowship of the Ring'. The journey wasn't without danger for him, because he may have been an immortal Elf, he could still be killed in battle or die from a broken heart. He risked his own mortality for the race of Men, although the Elves looked down on them.

Legolas' senses are extremely well-developed, because he's an Elf. He can sense things, before others see them. He can see and hear better than the others members of the fellowship and has some sort of Sixth Sense.

'A red sunrise. Blood have been spilled this night.'
- Says Legolas to Aragorn while chasing the Uruk-Hai that kidnapped Pippin and Merry.

He could go days without food or sleep and was immensely strong. And still, he had this light around him, an elegance that made clear that he did not was 'just an Elf' but 'the Elvenprince'. Whe under Men, they always were impressed by his beauty and the way he moves himself around, lightfooted is what you can call it.

Legolas was loyal to Aragorn. They were good friends, but Legolas always considered him to be the king of Gondor. He trust Aragorn blindly and follow him into battle. But as the story continues we see a strange friendship between the Elf and the Dwarf Gimli. This was most unexpected because as you could see ( and read in the book ) Elves and Dwarfs don't really like eachother. In the book is told that Legolas and Gimli sail to the Undying Lands together. Gimli, then, would be the first Dwarf ever to set foot on this lands.

For me, Legolas is Orlando, and Orlando is Legolas. I cannot see another actor taking over this role.