The Hobbit movie adaptation has been through a real baptism by fire this year.
But with Peter Jackson finally officially confirmed as director, and the two-part project gifted a green light despite MGM’s crippling financial situation, the ball can really get rolling.
Thanks to all of the stops and starts the films have had to dodge all year, it’s been a long, long time since we first started talking about who might be jumping for a part in the Lord Of The Rings prequels.
Now, though, Deadline have confirmed that Martin Freeman is officially in talks to play Bilbo Baggins – an older version of whom was portrayed by Ian Holmes in the LOTR films.
It seems his casting generally depends on the film's shoot dates.
Meanwhile, other actors on the menu are former Who David Tennant, who is talking with the studio about an undisclosed role, and James Nesbitt, who has also been offered yet another undisclosed part.
Rounding out a potentially very European cast is Michael Fassbender, who is apparently high up on the producers’ wish list.
Of course, the only confirmed returnees are currently Ian McKellen as Gandalf and Andy Serkis as Gollum.
Jury’s still out on how fire-breather Smaug will get up there on the screen – though we’re sure Serkis is chomping on his mo-cap hat to have a go...
Which characters would best suit Tennant and Nesbitt? Tell us below...
In cinemas this week…
Comments
Area51
Oct 17th 2010, 19:23
brilliant cast ideas, i can see this being more entertaining than LoTR trilogy
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Philippe
Oct 17th 2010, 20:49
Maybe they can cast Tennant as Gloin? That would be great fun!
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Gav83
Oct 17th 2010, 21:18
Fassbender would be awesome as Bard the Bowman.
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GarthMarenghi
Oct 18th 2010, 0:10
James Nesbitt?! f**k off.
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deedeedragons
Oct 18th 2010, 8:08
Please, please can we have Tim Curry voice Smaug.
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Ali1748
Oct 18th 2010, 9:26
I am not convinced Freeman's heart is in it, I mean he originally turned down the role because it clashed with Sherlock Holmes. That's the kind of opportunity you accept in a heartbeat.
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andyrew5000
Oct 18th 2010, 9:56
Tim. Tim Canterbury. The Canterbury Tales. Of Chaucer.
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poisonivy
Oct 18th 2010, 10:09
Being involved with the LOTR world would definitely complete David Tennant. Gosh, he acted in Harry Potter and Doctor Who. What a fantasy-sci-fi geek he is!
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Nashnash
Oct 18th 2010, 10:11
I'd be interested to see Martin Freeman as Bilbo. Seems like it could work. James Nesbitt seems an odd choice but maybe he'll surprise us. Also, it's Ian Holm. Not "Holmes". Sorry.
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DanRose
Oct 18th 2010, 10:37
James Nesbitt?? No way? Maybe James McAvoy could appear somewhere... but yeah am liking the idea of Fassbender and Freeman however I just plain don't like Tennant. Think he's a very average actor... and finally Holmes! Tut, tut.
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Monkeynuts30
Oct 18th 2010, 22:35
Nesbitt would make an excellent dwarf, possibly Thorin or one of his nephews
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CatSchrodinger
Oct 19th 2010, 15:12
Depending on how much they stick to the book, but, I can just see Tennant as the Goblin king... ^_^
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Jrdnsans1792
Oct 20th 2010, 9:02
God, David Tennant is awful, terrible casting decision
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