And Legolas is NOT in the Hobbit book.
Neither is the chick who played ‘Kate’ in the TV show ‘Lost’.
She’s hot as an elf, but I don’t remember her in the book.
True, but he was the son of the Elven King, so he was no doubt around while the dwarves were being held prisoner. That Bilbo didn't meet him isn't surprising. He was sneaking around in corners.
I don't object to the broader view of the world in the Hobbit movies. Although the narrow POV of the books provided by simply Bilbo's POV added something.