Rowan Atkinson couldn’t resist letting it ‘slip’ that he had landed the lead role in the upcoming Hobbit movies during his flight back to the UK last night from New Zealand where he had just had final talks with Del Toro and been given the good news.
It sounds like it was touch and go though for a while as he told one fellow passenger:
“Jackson wasn’t keen but Del Torro insisted my English charm together with my facial expressions was just what he had envisioned for the part and insisted Bilbo Baggins went to me. In the end Mr. Jackson conceded and I couldn’t be happier.”
Known worldwide for his Mr. Bean character, Rowan Atkinson has been a regular on UK television since the 70′s comedy sketch show ‘Not The 9 0′Clock News’ and is also no stranger to the big screen. He was voted by his peers as one of the 50 best comedy acts ever in 2005.
This is going to be a big step up for him but it seems Del Torro has got his man.
Update: As most folk guessed this was indeed an April fool.
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It’s truly an interesting cast, but I can surely see where it’s going. It might come out all right on screen. Rowan Atkinson sure looks hobbit-like enough, only problem as I see it is the clear discrepancy between Ian Holm and Rowan Atkinson, they simply don’t look alike!
An monkeys will fly out of my …
April fools
Aprils fool!
An april fools if ever I saw one!
Haha, nice one. Hadn’t thought of the date yet today.
You do know that this is most likely an April Fool’s joke, right?
April fools?
I have a suspicion this is an April Fool’s joke?
I’m not sure – Atkinson is a good character actor, but Bilbo is more than just a rubbery face. I’m not entirely convinced by it – but hey, we must approach these things with an open mind.
anyone else feel the april fool’s joke?
I think its cool – but I think this is a april fools joke?
ROFL!!!
I love April the 1st
Nice one, lol!!!
PLLLEEEAAASSEEEE TELL ME THIS IS AN APRIL FOOLS JOKE!!!!!
Aprils fool!!!!
Umm – look at when this was written.
This an April’s Fools joke?
You may want to pay closer attention to the date of this story…
April Fools? Please?
It NUST be April Fools. Rowan Atkison is brilliant and all, but the Danny DeVito rumor was more convincing.
Rowan Atkinson? Danny DeVito? If these rumours are anywhere near true, GET DEL TORRO OFF THE HOBBIt NOW!!! This is no joke! Neither Atkinson nor DeVito are anywhere near the hobbits needed, plus they aren’t young enough! Bilbo was Frodo’s age when he went on his adventure, so he needs to be about that role! OF course this could be April Fool’s joke……that would be relieving.
Damn! You got me!
I’m sure this is an april fools, but i kinda like the idea. He’s a versatile actor, and has a kind ‘hobbitish’ face, he’d need to put on a bit of weight though!
I’m still naively hoping for Ian Holm to do it, it would make sense. The Bilbo in LOTR isn’t supposed to have aged since he found the ring, so i’m sure that they could could get Ian looking the same as he did beck when they did the trilogy. I doubt it will happen though otherwise i’m sure we would have heard rumour. I think it’ll end up being a younger actor.
As most of the smart folk guessed, this was my idea of an April fools joke.
The night before I actually dreamt I met him in an airport bar and he told he had just been given the part and I couldn’t find a wifi that worked to post the news before boarding my flight!
i really hope this was an april fools joke…
Oh, I’m so relieved! Rowan Atkinson is so creepy and weird, I only like him as Mr. Bean.
Only as Mr Bean? Be fair, he was brilliant as Blackadder, and would actually make a superb Bilbo, not last because he’s got the same sort of fussiness about him and is the right kind of age – Elijah Wood was way too young to be playing a 50-year-old!
hollllly crap you about gave me a heart attack!
good one.
When I first saw this news, I was very dissapointed. Then I saw the date and thought ok, april fools. I say Colin Firth for Bilbo!
Can anyone confirm if this was indeed an April fools joke? It appears tobe the truth then! Jackson should have directed these movies. My expectations are dropping by the month.
Clearly a joke… but i kinda like the idea
Totally an april fools thing. Rowan Atkinson? He is funny but not Bilbo Baggins.
A great Bilbo Baggins would be James Mcavoy
It’s now April 9th and if this is not a April Fools joke, it’s time to let everyone know. People have a passion for the Hobbit and at some point a played out joke is no longer funny.
Perhaps John you should actually read the post before commenting on it?
ady, I did read it for 9 days and sadly I was still unsure as to the joke’s status. Reading the other comments leads me to believe I was not the only one who questioned the joke. Other sites put up a note at the top of the article that said in BIG BOLD LETTERS ON APRIL 2ND THAT THIS IS A APRIL FOOLS JOKE!!!!!! You must realize that this is still your lead article and the first thing a new person to the site will see.
I updated the post and added a comment I believe on the 3rd. Apologies for being so slack and missing the 2nd.
The Hobbit should use the same Cast As Lord of the rings…..They were Of such Fukin Brillance…..Del torro Is going to make a Mockery of The hobbit it looks like….Noway Will he Show the dedication to detail like Jackson….I Sense a Massive Movie flop coming…..email responses or if u wanna have a Lotr chat, Gavin_price_9@hotmail.com
My first thought was look to the date. Didn’t get me.
obvious april fools. nice, though, you made it realistic. but im glad hes not in it…
Well done Ady, but isn’t there any “real” news on “The Hobbit” films “around” for us? Has any major pre-production or possibly maybe even a glimmer of “shooting” started on the film(s) yet? What’s the latest? Or is “Jackson” just too busy currently doing work for the new TinTIn films?
Such cruel words from such wee folks!
Barliman
what you said about frodo, he was 50 years old when he started the trip. he also had the ring for 20 long years, so that is why frodo looked the way he did.
I’m also a little iffy about rowan as bilbo.
i would be very disappointed if rowan akinston played bilbo (no offence) but i think he doesnt have the right qualities and he will probrably ruin the movie, he seems too much of a comedian, and i think they shouldve chosen somone more sober
Oh No!!! Not Rowan Atkinson..Peter where are you!!! come back !!! What is this Man thinking??????…
I think he would play a good Bilbo. Most people know Rowan as Mr Bean but he used to be in a lot of Shakespearean plays and is quite a versatile actor. With a little make up and adding a few extra pounds to his weight he could pull it of. But anyway its just an april fool… Or maybe they were testing us to see how we’d react and actually are considering him
God it’s pathetic, you all really took this joke to heart didn’t you. To quote Rowan Atkinson in Blackadder “it’s about the worst joke since Cardinal Wolseley got his knob out at Hampton Court and stood in the middle of the passage pretending to be a door”.
As if they’d actually cast Rowan Atkinson, honestly they’re not as stupid as that.
I can see Rowan as Bilbo….makes sense to me….but I just dont get this idea that Steve Buscemi as Thoren Oakenshield ?
what gives ?
k so whats funny is i saw this last night, and i FLIPPED OUT i was soo pissed off. then i showed my dad this and he read it and hes like did you read the last line? “Update: As most folk guessed this was indeed an April fool” and he wont stop laughing at me.
It’s too bad Ian Holmes is too old for the role…he really brought to life the character of Bilbo Baggins for me in the LOTR. One of the better casting choices.
Yo i know this has nothin to do with this guy bein Bilbo and all but i know who else should play in the Hobbit Movie. I think Michael Clarke Duncan should play Beorn, Gandalf’s friend.
Just glad they have found someone to play Bilbo. Hope they finish it before I die of old age.
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