Martin Freeman confirms that he was indeed offered the role of Bilbo Baggins in the two Hobbit movies. And that he may still have a chance of taking the role…
Things are finally springing into life in Middle Earth, with the two movies of The Hobbit finally getting a green light, Peter Jackson being confirmed to direct, and the announcement that the films themselves will be in 3D. But there's still the small matter of casting Bilbo Baggins.
A few weeks back, the rumour mill threw up the name of Martin Freeman as the top choice to play Bilbo, noting that, due to his commitment to the BBC's Sherlock, he'd had to turn the role down. Then came the news that schedules were being juggled to allow Freeman to do both roles, but that's when the news stopped.
But now we have more, directly from the man himself. Empire chatted to Freeman, and he confirmed, with regards the changes of schedules, that "They are as yet rumours, but stranger things have happened." Freeman then confirmed that he was offered the role of Bilbo Baggins, saying, "I did have to say no to it for the second series of Sherlock. But if something could be worked out, that would be great."
Asked whether it was hard to turn The Hobbit down, he responded by saying, "Oh, yeah. I did it with a heavy heart, definitely."
So, could he still play the part, and could it all still happen? "I'd like to think so. If there is any outside possibility, then that would be great. But I've learned not to think too much or hope too much about stuff. It will happen if it happens."
You can read more at Empire, here. And here's hoping that everything works out, so that Freeman can take the role after all...