For fans who have been around a while, you may remember the initial rumor that Marvel was looking to cast Lee Pace in an upcoming film. In December of last year – amidst rumors that he was auditioning for a part in Guardians Of The Galaxy – Lee confirmed it was true. Unfortunately, he didn’t land the part of Peter Quill, AKA Star-Lord, as that went to “Parks and Recreation” star Chris Pratt.

However, earlier today, The Wrap broke the news that Lee Pace is in final negotiations to play the villain in Guardians Of The Galaxy. Specifics about his role are still unknown, and there’s a good chance that Marvel will keep the information locked tight until the film release in August 2014.

Fans are already speculating that Lee will be portraying The Controller (Ophelia Lovibond has just been cast as his aide) or Adam Warlock, who each have ties to The Avengers 2 baddie, Thanos.

GQ has a special series with James Marshall entitled “Jogging With James,” in which he – quite literally – goes jogging with various celebrities. During this edition, James chatted to Lee Pace on his last day of Golden Age performances (and he mentions being relieved about getting rid of his mutton chops). There’s a brief chat about fans (Twihards, Tolkienites, and history buffs), and the interview ends with the rest of them resting while James asks Lee “Marry, Shag, Throw off a Cliff” with the following options: Oprah, Martha Stewart, and Queen Elizabeth II.

Congratulations are in order to Lee Pace, as he’s currently starring in an Academy Award-nominated film. As announced yesterday morning, Lincoln earned an extraordinary twelve Oscar nominations (the most of all other films), including Best Picture, Best Actor (Daniel Day-Lewis), Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Tommy Lee Jones, whom Lee predominately acted against), and Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Sally Field). Check out the full list of Lincoln‘s nods below, then head to the source for the (at times, very surprising) list of this year’s Oscar nominees:

Best Picture: Steven Spielberg, Kathleen Kennedy (Producers)
Actor in a Leading Role: Daniel Day-Lewis
Actor in a Supporting Role: Tommy Lee Jones
Actress in a Supporting Role: Sally Field
Directing: Steve Spielberg
Writing (Adapted Screenplay): Tony Kushner
Cinematography: Janusz Kaminski
Costume Design: Joanna Johnston
Film Editing: Michael Kahn
Music (Original Score): John Williams
Production Design: Rick Carter (Production Design), Jim Erickson (Set Decoration)
Sound Mixing: Andy Nelson, Gary Rydstrom, Ronald Judkins

FOR THE FULL LIST OF NOMINEES, GO HERE.

The author of this new interview with Lee Pace seems to be a big fan, complimenting him on his work in The Fall as well as calling him a “charming and approachable [...] heartthrob.” What does Lee think of that status? He shares his feelings about that romanticized title in this BlackBook interview, of which an excerpt can be read bellow. He also touches upon Golden Age and what it entails during the holiday season, where he finds his home now, and whether he prefers working on stage or behind a camera.

So, you’ve had a super busy year…
It has been a busy year. I’m really feeling it now that the year’s coming to an end. These movies came out this past month and now we['re] doing eight shows a week [for Golden Age]. It’s been a lot of work, so I’ll to be looking forward to a quiet new year. But, it’s been great. It’s good to be busy. There’s nothing I like more than being busy. Good characters to play and good people to work with. There’s been a lot of that this year, so I couldn’t be more grateful.

Is there any reprieve during the holiday?
Theater schedules through the holidays are relentless. I guess I figured we’d still be doing eight shows a week, but it’s tough. There’s so many shows. But, it’s good. It’s a privilege to be able to do the show for people. That people want to come is awesome.

Given your recent roster, are there any standout moments of 2012?
Shooting scenes with Steven Spielberg in the Congress (sic) [for Lincoln], that was pretty incredible. Big scenes, lots of extras, a couple cameras moving. You really feel like, “Wow, I’ll remember this. It kinda doesn’t get better than this.” Then, I went to New Zealand to work on The Hobbit for a couple months. To be on those sets, which [were] equally incredible, and to collaborate on and play a character that is the product of so many people’s imaginations – Peter Jackson, Philippa Boyens, Fran Walsh and the costume designers – [was] very, very special.

FOR MORE, GO HERE.

We haven’t seen a Lee Pace interview in print in a very, very long time, but Backstage.com recently chatted with him about Golden Age — finally! He talks about channeling his inner Vincenzo Bellini, feeling a little nervous and unsure of his performances (like any genius artist) while maintaining a high-adrenaline buzz (like Bellini experienced after succumbing to his masterpiece). It’s a great, articulate interview that taps into Lee’s training and approach as an actor. Check out an excerpt below before heading to the source for more; it’s also been added to the press archive.

Vincenzo Bellini is a complicated character. How did you prepare for the role?

Lee Pace: The character is very much about throwing it all out there and throwing aside structure and form and just letting his art be an emotional, wild thing. I just tried to get into what the thoughts were. He knows that he’s very ill and that he may never be able to organize an evening like this again. That’s a big part of the insecurity. When you’re ill, you don’t think very clearly. When I get nervous about something, it’s because there are things that are making me anxious. So I spend the performance reminding myself, “Is it going to be good? Am I able to fulfill my potential?”

FOR MORE, GO HERE.

Earlier this evening, December 6th, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey held its first stateside premiere — in New York. At the Ziegfeld Theatre, numerous cast and crew from the impressively-sized ensemble showed up, including Lee Pace (who must have taken a night off from his off-Broadway play, Golden Age). Others in attendance included Elijah Wood (Frodo), Ian McKellen (Gandalf), Liv Tyler (Arwen), Martin Freeman (Bilbo), Andy Serkis (Gollum), Richard Armitage (Thorin Oakenshield), Aidan Turner (Kili), Archie Panjabi, Terry O’Quinn, Patrick Stewart, and director Peter Jackson.

Last night, December 4th, Golden Age – Terrence McNally’s new play – officially opened at New York City Center – Stage I. Numerous photos from the after-party have been added to the gallery, with Lee Pace pictured alongside co-star F. Murray Abraham. I’ll be adding more as they come in, so be sure to check back. In the meantime, you might want to head over to the career portion of LPO to read reviews on Lee’s performance in Golden Age. Check out a few highlights below:

“Lee Pace is an ideal Bellini, charismatic even in self-absorption and gifted with the requisite Byronic handsomeness. Pace excels at communicating Bellini’s often internal emotions and uses an effortless period physicality to good effect.”
- BACKSTAGE.COM

“Even in Bellini’s poutiest, most self-absorbed moments, Pace is never less than charming. He’s the quintessential tortured artist — unabashedly romantic, hair askew, throwing himself about the stage with abandon, and voraciously devouring Sicilian blood oranges (Bellini’s preferred snack). When he gets ahold of McNally’s monologues, Pace can elevate them into arias: ‘People don’t go mad because of a broken heart. They take to their rooms and weep in utter solitude,’ he says, reflecting on mad scenes in operas. ‘There is no cause for high notes when your heart is broken. The very lowest reaches of the voice are what are called for.’”
- ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

“Pace has the debonair good looks of a golden-age Hollywood heartthrob. He elegantly underplays Bellini’s exhilarated highs and his depressed lows, and his rapport with Neuwirth is tainted with lovely wistfulness.”
- NEW YORK POST

There are also three new production photographs, which you can view right here.

In an interview with The Dominion Post, Oscar-winning makeup and hair designer Peter King talked about The Hobbit transformations. The article goes in-depth on the physical changes the actors faced in order to achieve their Middle-earth characters, including what it was like to adjust to shooting on HD 3-D at 48 frames per second. He even talks about Lee Pace after mentioning Cate Blanchett, complimenting him on his amiable personality and strong elven aesthetic.

To achieve the elves’ flawless skin, [Peter] King applied the foundation with makeup brushes. Making up [Cate] Blanchett is easy, he says, because she has very good skin. “She doesn’t have pores, which is very handy. Beautiful velvet skin makes life a lot easier.”

Blanchett, he says, is also the most fantastic person to work with.

“For her high profile and everything else she does, she is one of the most down-to-earth actors I have met. She is divine,” he says. “And Lee Pace, who plays Thranduil the Elven king. He’s a male version of Cate Blanchett: beautiful, enthusiastic and fantastic. He gets what everyone is trying to do. He’s an elf with attitude. He has this fantastic icy stare but, as soon as the cameras stop, he’s such a nice guy. It’s the elves you see in the end; they are perfect beings.”

There’s an amazing special feature on The New York Times about Lee Pace and his trip to Sicily last month. He went to visit the Italian city to research the man he’s currently portraying on stage: the opera composer, Vincenzo Bellini. NY Times asked Lee to document his experience, providing photographs that he took (he’s quite skilled!) along with what he learned on his trip. You can read the article here, then check out the slideshow featuring Lee’s work. Both the text and photos have been added to the press archive and gallery, respectively.

It has been announced that Lee Pace will play Italian composer Vincenzo Bellini in the upcoming Terrence McNally play, Golden Age, directed by Tony-winner Walter Bobbie (Chicago). Manhattan Theatre Club will be hosting the limited engagement play at their off-Broadway venue, Stage I, with a December 4th opening night; previews start on November 13th. Others involved in the prestigious casting include Tony Award winner Richard Easton, Dierdre Friel, Coco Monroe, two-time Emmy and two-time Tony Award winner Bebe Neuwirth, Ethan Phillips, Lorenzo Pisoni, Will Rogers, and Eddie Kaye Thomas. Check out a summary of the show below:

It’s opening night of Vincenzo Bellini’s new opera in Paris, and the Italian composer is determined to win the adulation of not only his audience, but his colleagues and rivals as well. When the curtain falls, will a thunderous ovation cement his prominence? Or has Bellini unwittingly composed his own swan song? Blending 21st century language with the timeless beauty of 19th century bel canto opera, Terrence McNally’s new play, portrays the final act of an artist whose desire for greatness has eclipsed all else.

Tickets go on sale via Telecharge starting October 1st. Who’s planning on going?