The is a rumour going round (I say rumour as it originated in The Sun) that Martin Freeman (The Office, Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy) was offered the role of Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit by MGM.
After thinking about it he turned the role down due to his commitment to play Watson in Steven Moffat’s BBC show, Sherlock. There are 20 weeks of filming for Sherlock in 2011, and he wouldn’t have been able to do it if he was going to make the two The Hobbit movies which would be filming for a year.
The Hobbit has had such a troubled road to the screen. Peter Jackson still hasn’t officially signed on to direct after Guillermo del Toro stepped down and Sir Ian McKellen has said that he can’t wait around forever.
If the Marting Freeman thing is true do you think he has made a big mistake turning down the role of Bilbo? Who would be better in the role?
Screen Terrier had the details of the casting call for Bilbo.
(New Zealand) – Email photographs & resumes by September 3, 2010 to: Details Are only Available By Subscription.. Absolutely No Telephone Calls Please. Title: THE HOBBIT, a Feature Film. Shoot Dates: In 2011 (in New Zealand). Breakdown– Titular Bilbo: 25-40, 5’6″-maximum of 6’0″. Bilbo is attractive in a real way, not overly handsome or modely, in one sense not even leading man looks. His build is average, neither in any way overweight or too slim or thin. Bilbo is respectable and well-educated and has a standard, well-spoken English accent. He is a reluctant leader and hero and although he thinks he doesn’t have huge courage he does become, particularly in the last battle, very brave. He has a charming and attractive nature and is renowned for his dry and quirky sense of humour. There is an appealing vulnerability about him and he sometimes comes over quite innocent – in the audition scene he has self doubts, unsure whether he has what it takes to leave The Shire or whether he should remain the staid Hobbit and not leave home
Source: Collider
