Since Guillermo Del Toro left the project earlier in the summer, things have been relatively quiet with regards to “The Hobbit,” mainly due to the continuing uncertainty over the financial status of backers MGM. Peter Jackson hinted at some positive news on the way (although there’s still no word if Jackson will helm the films himself, which seems most likely, or pass it on to a new director), and former Dr. Who Sylvester McCoy revealed that he was in talks for a role in the film a few weeks back. Now, if reports from British tabloid The Sun are to be believed (and, as a general rule, they aren’t…), one relatively high-profile actor was offered the lead role of hobbit Bilbo Baggins, but has turned it down.
Martin Freeman, who came to prominence in the original British version of “The Office,” before going on to lead Hammer & Tongs’ version of “The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy,” was offered the part of Baggins (played by Ian Holm in the original “Lord of the Rings” trilogy), but turned it down after committing to a second series of “Sherlock,” the BBC’s excellent contemporary reworking of Arthur Conan Doyle’s detective, in which the actor plays John Watson opposite Benedict Cumberbatch (“Atonement”) as Holmes.
Freeman’s has been a fan favorite for the role for a few years now, partly due to auditioning for Stanley Tucci’s role in Jackson’s “The Lovely Bones,” and partly due to a lack of imagination from all concerned (he’s short? he’s perfect!), which is one of a number of reasons that we’re suspicious of The Sun’s report (the other reasons: the paper’s horrible track record, common sense, and having an IQ above Brick Tamland’s). Having said that, just as a stopped clock is right twice a day, sometimes they do get it right. Either way, with MGM still in uncertain waters, we’re probably a little while away from seeing who’ll fill Ian Holm’s hairy prosthetic shoes.