Bilbo Baggins Casting

by The Hobbit on April 11, 2008

adam_sandler.jpg

TheSpoof.Com has come up with its cast list for the Hobbit movies including the suggestion that Adam Sandler (shown right) gets the part of Gollum because the jewishness he brings will allow the audience to feel the tension.

The site which allows anyone to post their spoof news stories also puts forward Donny Osmond for the lead part of Bilbo Baggins because of his big feet.

While it had me laughing, it also got me thinking about the Bilbo part. Ian Holm is going to be near 80 years old by the time shooting finishes so I can’t see him getting the part although with todays technology, nothing is impossible. They could certainly make him look younger but my concern would be whether he will be up for such a hard schedule of shooting 2 movies at once.

I would love him to take the role if he thought he was fit and able enough but if not, who would you want to see playing the part Bilbo Baggins?

I’ve seen Martin Freeman touted as being perfect for the part and he’s certainly got the face for it but I’m not sure I see him in the part. How about Elijah Wood returning to Middle Earth to play Bilbo Baggins? We know he makes a convincing Hobbit and the family ties would explain off the resemblance.

I’ve even read Robin Williams may be put forward for the part because of his hairy feet:-)

Who would you like to see get the part?

{ 71 comments… read them below or add one }

Eowyn93 February 18, 2009 at 12:53 am

Colin Firth seems much too old to be Bilbo Baggins! We need someone who is grown up, but a little more youthful and looks like he is capable of actually journeying through middle earth and up a mountain! Maybe Hugh Dancy would make a interesting hobbit if we don’t want anyone too young.

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Amanda February 19, 2009 at 3:25 am

I really think that James McAvoy would be great bilbo. Ever since he was mentioned to possibly being cast as bilbo, he’s the only face of bilbo i can picture.

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Mike February 28, 2009 at 1:17 am

What about Tom cruise? Being Hobbit sized anyway they’d save a fortune on CGI and perspective trickery.Seriously though James McAvoy gets my vote, he’s quite low profile as an actor, and so doesn’t really have a film star personality/ego to interfere with Bilbo’s character.

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Petra March 3, 2009 at 4:40 pm

Jason Bateman could play Bilbo! With a curly wig he looks like young version of Mr. Baggins:-)

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Wallin March 5, 2009 at 5:00 pm

I believe Michael Sheen would be the perfect casting for Bilbo.

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bipedo March 9, 2009 at 10:59 am

What about Cillian Murphy as young Bilbo? He will play the role excelent

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Scarecrow April 5, 2009 at 5:32 am

Colin Firth is the perfect age. they can always use make up and crap. He looks like a candidate.

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Andre April 10, 2009 at 1:11 am

Just to clear things up, Frodo was adopted by Bilbo, and even though they’re related, there would be no way that Elijah Wood would (and should) play Bilbo because at least for those who didn’t read the books, they might confuse Frodo for Bilbo’s son. Bad bad bad. Or even worse, they might think Bilbo IS Frodo, but just with a crazy nickname :P . That aside, I think Colin Firth and Ewan Mcgregor are the best suggested so far. Oh and I was totally had by the April fools joke for Rowan Atkinson as Bilbo. Priceless. I was so excited and confused.

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Caz June 1, 2009 at 12:51 pm

I think they will have to be sooo careful in getting this right.Cillian Murphy certainly has the diversity but maybe James McAvoy would be convincing also. Blimey if there’s this many questions about Bilbo then who’s going to play Balin or Thorin!!!!

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Luc999 June 16, 2009 at 4:44 pm

I wouldn’t mind seeing Paul Giamatti for Bilbo. He has the right kind of humor for the part, and he could pull off that endearing crankiness Bilbo sometimes displays.

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Max Kennedy July 15, 2009 at 1:53 am

seriously I think it would have to be a more classicaly trained british actor for bilbo baggins. Besides in the book bilbo is portrayed to be in his fifties.

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Emily July 21, 2009 at 5:22 pm

Even though in the book Bilbo is said to be 50, that doesn’t mean a younger actor can’t play him. Frodo was also 50 when he set off on his jouney and Elija Wood was somewhere near 20 when he played the part. I really think the part should go to McAvoy. I heard they were thinking about Daniel Radcliff….terrible idea.

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stewart August 15, 2009 at 3:35 pm

Tom Hollander!!!

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rapunzel August 16, 2009 at 12:27 am

How about Ricky Gervais as Bilbo? That would bring an entirely new edge to the role! ;)

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erik September 28, 2009 at 10:16 pm

The only actor besides Ian Holm i could ever imagine as bilbo is Tom Hollander, the end. He is almost perfect, or as perfect another actor then the original can be. I relly hope that del toro choose him, please god.

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Dudgied September 30, 2009 at 12:36 pm

James McAvoy played Mr Tumnes in the Narnia series…. Do you really think he will want to play Bilbo? Daniel Radcliff has said he blatantly doesn’t want to be in another ‘Wizard’ film for a long time..i dont blame him. So far i can only see suggestions of actors who might look like a hobbit. The role needs someone capable of filling Bilbo’s boots, they can make him look like a hobbit after.

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erik October 4, 2009 at 11:02 pm

Dudgied, so you mean that Tom Hollander isnt a capable actor? He has made several totally different characters over the years, and his skill is far from bad

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msille November 20, 2009 at 6:41 pm

David Tennant, classically trained but can be very tongue in cheek.

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Heather November 21, 2009 at 7:14 am

I like the idea of David Tennant. I think he’s a great actor. They would have to put a bit of weight on him though.

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Clarett January 8, 2010 at 4:45 pm

I am for James McAvoy surely. I think he will be just the best actor in this role..but the truth is, that I don’t know so many actors. I will just believe in a choice of director :o )

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Guest January 8, 2010 at 7:57 pm

James McAvoy is too young, Bilbo is 50-60 so the actor should be in his 30s. He also doesn’t seem to fit Bilbo from what I’ve seen. Martin Sheen could certainly act the part, but I think they are going to chosen someone relatively unknown like LOTR.

David Tennant isn’t right, and is too well-known. Radcliffe is a laughable idea, but Martin Freeman looks the part, and is relatively unknown if he can act the part. I’m afraid Colin Firth is too visible as well. Tom Hollander might not be a bad idea, though.

You can’t have Frodo (Elijah Wood) be Bilbo, that doesn’t make sense, and it’s too confusing. You don’t cast the same person as two main characters in the same series, it’s not a good idea.

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