Guillermo del Toro has told MTV this week that the search for Bilbo is now down to one actor and he expects to reveal the name in the upcoming weeks. I wonder if it’s the same name he and Peter Jackson were said to have mutually agreed on over a year ago.
My choice then and still now is relatively obscure British actor Martin Freeman whose career never quite took off the way you thought it might after The Office and then The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Post both productions which were high profile, he was straight back down to obscurity.
Lately I’ve been hearing a lot of support drumed up for Michael Sheen and I’m warming to that choice, very much actually. He’s a better actor than Freeman and I’m pretty much sold on the fact he can play anyone, he certainly has the eyes and intensity of Ian Holm. Just doesn’t quite look as much like him as Freeman does, but then that should never be the deal breaker.
And it seems people still believe James McAvoy can do something with the character and I’m getting anxious that he hasn’t won out a big role in a while. Brendon Connelly at /film puts Ewan McGregor out there but I can’t believe the same person who played Obi-Wan Kenobi can play Bilbo Baggins.
Maybe we’ll found out at the Comic Con as Peter Jackson has just revealed his attendance to promote District 9 this year. As good as that movie looks, Jackson will have to come face to face with many questions on The Hobbit, Tintin and maybe even Halo first.
2 Comments
In an ideal world, Holm would be Bilbo because he was perfect, but obvious the physical demands of the role cannot allow for this.
Whilst Martin Freeman may have the look and mannerisms of a Hobbit, he’s a terrible actor with no charisma, and I think he’d be poor in the role. I’ve favoured MacAvoy for a while, I think he’d certainly be better in the role; however, I would be absolutely ecstatic if Michael Sheen got it. He’s brilliant in everything.
It’s vital Del Toro and Jackson get this casting right, for starters since the film could pivot on it, but also because it could have people concerned if they go for someone like Freeman or an equally (on paper at least) bad choice.
yea martin freeman is a NO NO for the hobbit. this guy will be the driving force of the entire hobbit movie, and people will revolt if its the wrong guy.