I think this is awesome.
The Washington Post reports:
Martin Freeman will play the hobbit who makes the long journey to Lonely Mountain in the two-part film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s book, New Line announced and The Hollywood Reporter, among other media outlets, reported. For those closely tracking news of all things “Hobbit” this doesn’t come as a surprise, since Freeman had already been the subject of Baggins casting rumors.
The British actor is best known for playing Tim on the original version of “The Office.” He also starred in the underrated “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” and appeared in “Shaun of the Dead,” “Hot Fuzz” and “Love Actually,” among other films.
Several other actors also had their “Hobbit” status confirmed in the announcement, including Richard Armitage (another Brit) as Thoren Oakenshield and Aidan Turner (“Being Human”) and Rob Kazinsky (a British TV actor) in the roles of young dwarves Kili and Fili. Two veterans of the previous “Lord of the Rings” films — Ian McKellen as Gandalf and Andy Serkis as Gollum — will also appear in the film, which is slated to begin production in February.
I like it. The guy has a Bilboish feel to me.
I was pleased as punch that Peter Jackson was announced to be directing recently. So now my hopes are officially high. What do you guys think?
October 25, 2010 at 5:03 pm
He plays Watson in the BBC series Sherlock, which debuted last night on PBS. He'll be perfect as Bilbo.
October 25, 2010 at 5:24 pm
I just hope it can be made in NZ
October 25, 2010 at 5:26 pm
I think it's perfect as well. He did a great job as Arthur Dent. I agree he has a very good Bilbo feel.
October 25, 2010 at 5:36 pm
So far so good.
October 25, 2010 at 5:57 pm
So much for the Tobey MaGuire rumors…thank goodness!
I'm looking forward to this a lot – much more than LOTR, actually. In fact, from what I've heard, The Hobbit is supposed to be fairly faithful to the book.
I think the spiders part will be rockin'.
October 25, 2010 at 6:02 pm
Should be pretty good. I'm still waiting from them to finish the first series. They left a lot of huge battle out which could have been a fourth movie.
– The Battle of Dale http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Dale
– Battle of Mirkwood http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Mirkwood
– Siege of Lórien, then the destruction of Dol Guldur http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Middle-earth_wars_and_battles#Battle_of_Lothl.C3.B3rien
October 25, 2010 at 6:22 pm
No %#@* Sherlock! What a choice. Love him.
October 25, 2010 at 6:55 pm
I wonder what will be made up in this movie…. Oo! I know! Rohan rides to the rescue in Dale. How about a Balrog in Goblin-town. Smaug is another allegory for George Bush and Laketown is Manhattan.
Sorry folks, I'll skip this one and be a loner on the couch with the book.
October 25, 2010 at 7:17 pm
GReat casting!!!!! More believable than the actor who played Frodo in LOTR (but Sean Astin was spot on and should have received and Oscar for his performance as Sam Gamgee)
October 25, 2010 at 7:34 pm
Perfect!
October 25, 2010 at 9:02 pm
As a proud LOTR nerd, I submit that this rocks my face off.
Now, the question remains – what is the location of the shoot? They are still having problems with the unions in New Zealand.
October 25, 2010 at 9:55 pm
It's about time!! I was kinda hoping for James McAvoy (Mr. Tumnus from the 1st Narnia movie, and Robbie from Atonement) but that's only because he's SOOO dreamy (*sigh*). I liked Martin in The Hitchhiker's Guide, and I think he'll be great as Bilbo. So excited!!
October 25, 2010 at 10:37 pm
I think he'll be great, but isn't Bilbo supposed to be older? About 50 when he sets out with the Dwarves. Then he stops aging when he takes possession of the ring. I thought Wood was too young to play Frodo too. So maybe I just need to get over it.
October 25, 2010 at 10:46 pm
Casting is perfect. Remember there will be two movies from this project. How can we not be excited. All things work towards the good. I was not ecstatic to have Guillermo del Toro as the first director. Peter Jackson should and will finish the project. By the way if anyone has seen the new Sherlock, I'm sure you'll be as pleased as I am at Martin Freeman–a natural for Watson and for Bilbo.
October 25, 2010 at 11:54 pm
This will take several years to finish? If something happens, and I don't live long enough to see it, I wonder if God will let me see it in Purgatory (if I make it there)?
October 26, 2010 at 12:57 am
I am packing my bags for the Misty Mountains…
God Willing it will be good and I will see it…
October 26, 2010 at 6:00 am
He looks like the perfect Bilbo! Now I'm really excited for the movie…
October 26, 2010 at 10:59 am
Arthur Dent is basically Bilbo Baggins in space. I approve.
October 26, 2010 at 2:10 pm
Perfect!
They just can't make it fast enough!
October 26, 2010 at 6:18 pm
I think Freeman is a solid pick – he's a solid actor, and sufficiently "hobbitish."
Mr. Zummo,
Bilbo was indeed 50, but hobbits live longer than men, and age more slowly. I think he'll work in that regard.
I think the LOTR movies had problems – even allowing for the extraordinary difficulty of adapting the books at all – stemming from some storyline choices made by Jackson. I understand well those Tolkien fans who continue to resist the reilogy. But I do think THE HOBBIT is a much more easily adaptable story. It's much simpler and shorter, and requires little alteration; it lacks a love story, but that is hardly crippling now.
In other words, Jackson has less excuse for any missteps in lensing it.