Who do you want to play Bilbo?

[Elven]

A lot of names have been thrown around recently over who might be cast as Bilbo Baggins in the new Hobbit movie. I'm personally all for Ian Holm to reprise the role but given that he's now 78, it may seem a little unrealistic for him to portray the younger version of his character. EDIT: Seemingly, Ian Holm has already stated that he won't reprise the role due to the physical demands of the character and having to relocate to NZ. Source is the link below.

From the March edition of Empire, some of the rumoured names that have been thrown about by various newspapers and opinion polls online include James McAvoy, Martin Freeman, Colin Firth and Shia LeBeouf.

I was wondering who you guys think would make a good Bilbo for 2011 and 2012?

[Elven]

And in more general terms, I found a list of suggestions for other main characters if you wish to discuss those too!

http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2009/04/13/31673-casting-the-hobbit-via-torns-message-boards/#more-31673

[Emmie]

Hmm...

James McAvoy is a good actor, but I've only seen him in Atonement and for some reason I can't imagine him as Bilbo very well. Maybe it's his appearance? Although I assume the makeup and hair stuff they do would make him look more like a hobbit.

Shia LaBeouf seems like a horrible idea. Maybe I just dislike the films I've seen him in and the parts he's played.

Martin Freeman would probably be okay as Bilbo - I don't really have an opinion either way.

I think Colin Firth would actually be good, although I haven't heard him mentioned before and I would have never thought of him on my own.

Anyway, I'm having a hard time thinking of other Bilbo possibilities, since I don't watch an enormous number of movies and usually don't pay attention to actors. Most of the people listed for Bilbo on the longer list that you linked don't look right at all to me. (Hugh Bonneville does, but I've never seen anything he's in.)

I, too, am interested in hearing what everyone else thinks. :)

[Niniel]

I've always thought Martin Freeman would make a good Bilbo. Not to sure about the other suggestions...although Colin Firth might be good now that I think of it.

[Elven]

I can't say I want anyone who's been mentioned thus far to get it. I'd hate it if Shia LaBeouf got it, as I don't think he's that great an actor.

I think it should be a 'classical' actor in the same vein as Ian Holm. I just picture an English actor in the role but I can't think of anyone who strikes me as being a really good Bilbo. I need to ponder on it some more.

[Nilfy]

Shia LaBeouf could fit as a hobbit - but not Bilbo.

Martin Freeman does look a bit hobbity, he wouldn't be too bad a choice I think.

Hard to imagine though, since Ian Holm did such a good job with it.

[Lady Marti of Rivendell]

I'm all for Ian Holm reprising his role as Bilbo Baggins! I can't imagine anyone else right for the part.

[Blodeuedd]

I am liking the idea of McAvoy, I could so see that :)

[Emmie]

I have Becoming Jane out from the library because I wanted to see McAvoy in something other than Atonement. I keep trying to watch it and then getting distracted, though.

[MithrilBox]

I think McAvoy would be good, though not necessarily the best person for the role. (Not sure who would be best.) But I imagine they'll do a good job of picking, because they can see audition tapes and stuff while the rest of us have to rely on other movies that these actors have been in. :p

[Clarett]

Of course that Ian Holm...! ^^

[Emmie]

Yeah. It's too bad they didn't start filming The Hobbit immediately after LOTR was finished, since they could conceivably have used him for Bilbo then. :p Or even did The Hobbit first...

[Dani]

I personally think Peter Jackson should steer well clear of all "famous" and "big name" actors while searching for Bilbo. He should go for some newer talent!

[Clarett]

Yeah, I agree with Dani! Sure! ^^

[PiRaTeGiRl]

I don't know, when they said that McAvoy will play Bilbo, I thought that it is a good idea. I don't know, maybe there are more successful actors for that role! Who knows...

[Dani]

Someone who looks like Ian Holm would be a good idea xD

[PiRaTeGiRl]

Right, I thought about that too. But, he have to be young more or less. XP

[Arien]

I like the idea of McAvoy. I think he could play it well, and he has already demonstrated how well he can deal with working with a green screen in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

I would be devastated if LaBeouf got it. It is already bad enough he might be doing another Indiana Jones movie, isn't it? He was terrible in Transformers, too. He just looked really surprised at everything. I imagine the faces he makes at CGI fighting robots he is told are 20 feet above his head will be just like the face he would make at a CGI dragon or Gollum.
:rolleyes:

[jimmyboy]

Too bad Ian won't/can't do it, because I thought he was perfect.
Shia LaBeouf seems like a horrible idea. Maybe I just dislike the films I've seen him in and the parts he's played.

I agree on this.

As for the rest, I don't know who they are so I can't yay or nay any of them. But really I'd like to see someone who's an unknown, like some of the actors in the LOTR movies.

[PiRaTeGiRl]

Shia LaBeouf!! LOL I think it's a VERY bad idea!! XD

[Elven]

My problem with Shia LaBeouf is that I remember him from some truly awful kids TV show that was on when I was younger. He really annoyed me in that and I can't say his skills seem to have improved a great deal...

Possibly a little harsh?

[PiRaTeGiRl]

Yup, I totally agree. He is harsh, I don't think he is fitting to the role of a hobbit. When I think about that, I think its horrible if he will play that role. :S

[Emmie]

I think Elven was saying that her criticism of Shia LaBeouf was possibly a little harsh. At least that's how I understood it. :p

[FairyFruit]

I don't think it's harsh. I passionately hate the transformers movie. Several of my friends and someone in my family liked it, and it was also pretty successful in the box office AND they made a sequel. But I just didn't see anything appealing about it and I'm not into cars. So, meh.

I don't find Megan Fox's acting any better, though that is getting a bit off topic.

[jimmyboy]

I don't think it's harsh. I passionately hate the transformers movie. Several of my friends and someone in my family liked it, and it was also pretty successful in the box office AND they made a sequel. But I just didn't see anything appealing about it and I'm not into cars. So, meh.

I don't find Megan Fox's acting any better, though that is getting a bit off topic.
Wow, so I'm not the only one who didn't like that movie. Seems like everyone else but me just totally loved it.

[FairyFruit]

Theonering.net was mentioning Dan Radcliffe as a rumored possibility recently. What do you guys think of him?

I'm not really sure myself. I recently saw the new Harry Potter movie, and I don't think the role of Harry would transfer to Bilbo at all. But I'm not sure how much of that is Dan Radcliffe's acting and how much was the character he was playing.

[Sowen]

Well, I am not good with names of foreigh actors (well, Polish as well;) ) and I like the idea of Mc Avoy - he looks like a hobbit somehow...
however, he is to famous already and I will always think about him as Mr. Tumnus from Narnia..

I hope they will find someone fresh, goodlooking;)

[minesofmoria]

I'm actually glad Freeman is playing Bilbo. He looks rather Hobbit-ish himself. Plus, he was in the Sherlock episodes and The Office. ;)

[santino6250]

i like this moment ......