Guillermo Del Toro told MTV movies today that they would soon be announcing which actor would be replacing Ian Holm for The Hobbit movies. “I believe we’re very close now to saying one name” and he also added that an announcement was no more than a couple of weeks away.
In January Del Toro had said they had narrowed it down to 4 possible actors but none of the 4 were aware they were being considered.
Now Del Toro, Jackson and Co. have decided who they want but he says the actor in question has still not as yet been approached.
Keeping possible names to themselves has certainly worked with rumors being very thin on the ground and with the part of Bilbo Baggins being muted as ‘the role of the decade’ it’s hard to imagine any actor turning down the part so no worries for Del Toro there.
It must be a nice feeling knowing you can choose any actor in the world but it also comes with a lot of pressure. Who ever they choose, it’s not going to match everyone’s idea of Bilbo baggins.
You can see what Del Toro said about the part of Bilbo baggins in the video below.
Source: MTV Movies
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Excited? YES , VERY! I trust these guys completely..good luck!
i think it is really bad that they cant go along with the old actor….because according to the book……the ring keeps him young/preserves him…..so he should look exactly the same as in the fellowship of the ring………so whoever they chose…. the books against them……….
@dpmoll, If havn’t read the Hobbit wrong (long time since I did)It start’s woth Biblo at a youg adult age, And alot of the story is about him getting older and take more responsebility as an adult. with otherwords in the fellowship of the ring he is an old adult, still the term of young, but older than in the hobbit. so I don’t thing there is a problem taking a new actor as Bilbo. and I don’t think they’ll loose the meaning of the books/story.I hope they have an actor who can kind of transform into looking like Ian Holm after time^^ (only problem will be the Biblo scene in the prologe of tFotR, to fit them together. but with a little tricks think they are able to do it)^^
dpmoll, the old actor that played Bilbo in Fellowship of the Ring is now over 80 years old and has a health problem that prevents him from doing that. It won’t be against the lore if they choose someone younger that resembles him.
the actor should be younger than in fellowship since the Hobbit is set before fellowship. Yes the ring keeps him young but he doesn’t have the ring at the start of the Hobbit so the effect has not begun. he ages throughout the film and in fellowship he is described as well preserved but not exactly the same.
I don’t think it matters whether or not the new actor looks like Ian Holm. Seeing another person’s interpretation is always good.
Wat about Ioan Gruffud as Bilbo? He could pull it off.
I’d heard a rumor that Rowan Atkinson had been considered for the role. Not sure whether that would be a wise cjoice or not…..
Digit23 you are wrong. Sir Ian Holm is 77 and is in very good health. 77 is still too old for the more active role he needs to do in the hobbiy
Nevertheless, he is still too old for it. And as I said, what wrong with choosing a younger actor that resembles him?
I was so hoping that Ian Holnm could play the part as he such a wonderful actor. One thingI do hope that they will stick to the book and not add any hollywood love things to it. That would not be pleasing to many of us, as we love story as it was written by Tolkien.
I am utterly disgusted at the choice the directors have made, to rule our Ian Holm even as a possibility to play Bilbo, David Tennant? Come on this is ludicrous! If you want your LOTR fans to be happy, recycle as much of the original actors as possible.
We have came to love these actors in our times with the trilogy, and now we have to get to know a unfamiliar face, the previous actors done it so well, why neglect that assurance.
Hello im James Barker from Yorkshire/Derbyshire England i am a big fan of Tolkien. Im a bit dissapointed you are having David Tennant and Bilbo Baggins can you get someone that looks more like Ian Holm it would be go! and make it excatly like the book because if you dont i and a lot of other wont be Happy!!! Dont know if i want it in Tree parts but all weel ifs thats wat y want toi do its up to!! bye!!
could not eligjah wood play bilbo with some effects he could do it, they r suposse to be from the same familey
who ever they choose, I hope they keep in mind Bilbo was over 50 and round in the middle.
David Tennant played a small role in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire as the villain young Barty Crouch, totally unrecognisable as the future Doctor Who. Also when out of character he speaks with a Scottish accent. His roles on TV and his RSC stint proves his acting ability. I think he will be a good Bilbo Baggins and would welcome that appointment. Hoping this happens soon!!!!
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