Comments on: Rumor Watch: James McAvoy as Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit?

By: Cathy

Cathy — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 21:43:45 +0000

James McAvoy definitely!

By: JVOY

JVOY — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 01:16:29 +0000

I think James McAvoy is the best choice foe Bilbo. He is an incredible actor. Not to mention McAvoy has stated he loves sci-fi type movies, and if all the people making the movies agree on one name and James is the one DEL wants … Go James!

By: storm

storm — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 04:57:11 +0000

If James Mcavoy becomes Bilbo that would make my life!!!
He would be sooo good as that character, it would make the movie soo grand, i would watch it over and over again!!!

By: Spencer Benedict

Spencer Benedict — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 17:44:30 +0000

PLEASE powers that be! Do NOT put Jack Black in a film that i might actually want to pay good money to see.

By: fanboy d

fanboy d — Fri, 30 May 2008 08:55:52 +0000

the only reason for them not to cast ian holm is the hollywood reason…leading man appeal. otherwie, it clearly makes sense to go wih him and im sure it’s what the fans want to see most

By: hobbit

hobbit — Thu, 29 May 2008 22:08:27 +0000

Hobbits tend to live to be between 100 and 130. They come of age at around 33 years old, which is roughly the equivalent of 16-18 in human years. So a *real life* actor in between the ages of 22-30 would be ideal for the Bilbo role. McAvoy could pull it off, though there are several others who could do it just as easy. Ultimately, character development and chemistry will be the things that can make or break the Hobbit. Aside from the Battle of the Five Armies and perhaps the Smaug scenes, it doesn’t have a whole lot of epic warfare. Acting will be critical.

By: jonny

jonny — Thu, 29 May 2008 21:21:17 +0000

@ Kevin J. Keefe

BLASPHEMER!!

By: Michael

Michael — Thu, 29 May 2008 20:22:09 +0000

Of the three “rumored”, Radcliffe is too young, and also he’ll have a lightning bolt scar on his forehead for the rest of his life if you ask me. Jack Black actually isn’t that farfetched. Have any of you seen a movie called King Kong? Although I do think he would be a poor choice only because I don’t want that voice on my Bilbo Baggins. Finally, McAvoy. Let us look at his days as Mr. Tumnus in The Chronicles of Narnia. He played a hoof legged faun in that movie with some semblance of a hobbit. Del Toro apparently has a soft spot for these types of cosmetics- see the faun in Pan’s Labyrinth-and I imagine he would openly take this hoof legged actor into account. It would also be good to note that Frodo was around 50 when he set off out of hobbiton, although he was 33 at the beginning of the movie, and Elijah Wood played him. Bilbo is around 50 in this book, and I don’t see why James McAvoy would be a more ridiculous cast than Wood was in LotR.
Plus he’s already got the voice, without need to fake it.

By: orange cinema

orange cinema — Thu, 29 May 2008 19:53:25 +0000

Chimera

No kidding man, it really seems like the blogging world is having a growing impact on our favorite stories. I think /film, aicn and a couple others have become a beacon of (mostly) serious fans who are really growing tired of seeing cinema potential turning into a big joke.
There are still car accidents to endure - like gi joe/fantastic 4 - but the hobbit, ironman, even harry potter etc are evidence (I’d like to hope) that some of the suits listen, and let people like Jackson/Nolan just do what they do baby.

By: Kevin J. Keefe

Kevin J. Keefe — Thu, 29 May 2008 19:45:33 +0000

I have always thought Ewan McGregor would be a great Bilbo.
if he can be a young Obi Wan, why not a younger Bilbo?

By: Sunny

Sunny — Thu, 29 May 2008 19:27:59 +0000

I would love to see Dan Radcliffe in this movie, but not as Bilbo unless they wait 10 years to film it. Bilbo, as someone mentioned above is supposed to be a chubby, boring, middle aged hobbit. I say yes to Martin Freeman and a definite no to Ian Holm who is way too old and could die half way thru filming. Let him have a bit part as the older Bilbo.

By: Robert

Robert — Thu, 29 May 2008 19:04:00 +0000

I always prefer unknowns. Can’t stand most “movie stars.”

By: Floppy

Floppy — Thu, 29 May 2008 18:50:41 +0000

I think Jesus should play Bilbo…or Chuck Norris. Tough Call.

By: Chimaera

Chimaera — Thu, 29 May 2008 18:39:25 +0000

Oh, and it’s a HELL NO from me for Daniel Radcliff. I’m willing to deal with him as Harry Potter b/c I hate it when they switch actors but he is nowhere near as talented as James. As for Jack…I’m sorry but I can’t take any movie seriously that he is in.

By: Ed P.

Ed P. — Thu, 29 May 2008 18:35:59 +0000

Phillip Seymor Hoffman would make a great Bilbo. Jack Black could be a dwarf. Chuck Norris should be the dude who shoots down Smaug with the arrow (Men of Dale) - all joking aside he is bad ass enough to play that role.

On another note - Peter Jackson, can you fire DelToro and replace him with Ridley Scott or some other established director with success making movies on an epic scale.

I’m WAY on the fence about DelToro and this film. After seeing Hellboy 2 trailers, its pretty clear that he is stuck on his “Labyrinth” aesthetic (which is interesting but nothing entirely fresh). Dont get me wrong, I thought the character design was great for Pan’s Labyrinth but NEEDS to stay in *that* universe. When I saw the creature with the hands and all the other Pan’s familiars in the HB2 trailer, I immediately lost interest. Hopefully none of the Labyrinth creatures slip into the Hobbit.

PLUS he doesn’t even like The Hobbit or other Tolkien books. I think the dude is too much of a nub for this movie. Ridley Scott and Jackson should be making this movie…its far too epic for DelToro. DelToro doesn’t deserve the One Ring.

By: Chimaera

Chimaera — Thu, 29 May 2008 18:35:29 +0000

@ Orange Cinema

I’m still reeling.

I literally read the headline and was like “WHAT?!” JM as Bilbo. All my wildest dreams coming true??? I’m so glad I voted for Pedro :)

By: Paul Walter Hauser

Paul Walter Hauser — Thu, 29 May 2008 18:15:41 +0000

Of the names mentioned on this forum, I think McAvoy and Martin Freeman make the most sense. I live McAvoy more though, and assume he’ll get the part after big performances in the first Narnia movie, The Last King of Scotland, and the recent critically acclaimed Atonement.

By: big daddy

big daddy — Thu, 29 May 2008 18:11:22 +0000

sources, sean p, sources….

By: sean p

sean p — Thu, 29 May 2008 18:00:21 +0000

It’s also been reported that Hugo Weaving is insisting upon an ungodly amount of money so his return is unlikely. His replacement favorite is said to be that guy who plays Dwight in the Office. I’ve also read that Seth Rogen may be a possibility for Bilbo.

By: sean p

sean p — Thu, 29 May 2008 17:54:56 +0000

Jackson is a huge Nascar fan and said he’s been intereted in using Jeff Gordon or Tony Stewart to play a major role in the film. Not sure who they would play but as a Homosexual, I’m pretty excited by this news.