Martin Freeman Confirmed As Bilbo Baggins
Peter Jackson confirms the cast for The Hobbit.
Peter Jackson has confirmed Martin Freeman as the star of The Hobbit.
The Sherlock and Office star will play Bilbo Baggins in the two-part adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's classic book, the precursor to The Lord of the Rings. He's a perfect choice for the role filled by Ian Holm in the epic trilogy, as the director enthuses: "Despite the various rumours and speculation surround this role, there has only ever been one Bilbo Baggins for us... There are a few times in your career when you come across an actor who you know was born to play a role, but that was the case as soon as I met Martin. He is intelligent, funny, surprising and brave — exactly like Bilbo and I feel incredibly proud to be able to announce that he is our Hobbit."
He'll join the already returning Sir Ian McKellen as Gandalf, and Andy Serkis as Gollum. In the story, Bilbo joins a band of dwarves on their way to slay the thieving dragon Smaug. They'll be filled by the following actors:
Richard Armitage has been cast as Thorin Oakenshield, leader of the dwarves. The 39-year-old British actor is known for his roles as Lucas North in Spooks and Guy of Gisbourne in Robin Hood. Aidan Turner is Kili, one of the nephews of Thorin. The Irish actor, 27, is famous for playing the vampire John in the BBC's Being Human. His screen brother Fili will be portrayed by Eastenders star Rob Kazinsky. Graham McTavish is Dwalin, a blue-bearded dwarf. The Scottish actor was in season 8 of 24 and Prison Break, and will next be seen in Secretariat.
Jackson continues: "Rob is an extremely talented young actor with a huge career in front of him. I’m thrilled that he has agreed to take on the role of Fili. Besides his talent as an actor, Rob is also a champion sword fighter and I’m looking forward to seeing the damage he can do to a horde of marauding Goblins... Aidan is a wonderfully gifted young actor who hails from Ireland. I’m sure he will bring enormous heart and humor to the role of Kili. Graham is a terrific actor, with a great depth of experience, which I know he will bring to the role of Dwalin. I have worked with Mark Hadlow on many projects, he is a fantastic actor…I am also proud to annouce the casting of New Zealand actors as Peter Hambleton, John Callen and Stephen Hunter. Fran and I know that they will bring great depth and talent to our Company of Dwarves."
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