Bilbo actor announced soon

[Kitanna]

Originally Posted by Tuor in Gondolin

Had that been done Radcliffe could have diversified more, not been typecast,
and been more credible and prepared for the role. Having said that, if he can be
suitably "aged" and "girthed" (Bilbo was never svelte ) physically he'd be
fine,but acting range wise ???

Why take an actor who is super popular in one role and put him into another popular role? I've only seen the first two Harry Potter movies and Radcliffe wasn't that great of an actor. Perhaps his acting as gotten better...? Still I don't see him as much of a Bilbo figure. I could have seen him as one of the younger Hobbits from LOTR, but not as a young Bilbo.

As far as James McAvoy and David Tennant the other alleged choices for Bilbo, I'm not terribly familiar with their works. I'd rather see a new and somewhat unknown actor come into the role, though I feel that will be unlikely.

[Boromir88]

Daniel Radcliffe? You have to be kidding me. Hopefully this has no credibility.

Originally Posted by Kitanna

Why take an actor who is super popular in one role and put him into another popular role? I've only seen the first two Harry Potter movies and Radcliffe wasn't that great of an actor. Perhaps his acting as gotten better...? Still I don't see him as much of a Bilbo figure. I could have seen him as one of the younger Hobbits from LOTR, but not as a young Bilbo.

As far as James McAvoy and David Tennant the other alleged choices for Bilbo, I'm not terribly familiar with their works. I'd rather see a new and somewhat unknown actor come into the role, though I feel that will be unlikely.

James McAvoy is a fairly well accomplished actor. If you've seen Narnia: TL, TW, and TW, he played Mr. Tumnus. Recently he led (with Keira Knightly) in Atonement, and that was also a very good movie.

I suspect some of our resident 'Downers wouldn't mind the Dr. Who actor, although I've only seen one episode of it, so can't tell you about him.

With getting older, I think all of the young HP actors have improved, but Radcliffe is still pretty wooden and boring to watch, and I think the others over-act at times, as if they are stage actors. But they are certainly better than from the first couple. I would even suggest to go and watch the rest of 'em, I still think Prisoner of Azkaban has been the best one, but they have all significantly improved acting-wise and emotionally.

Still doesn't mean I want Radcliffe as Bilbo, I don't want him in the movie at all to tell you the truth. If true, this would be a huge blunder, and I may beg Peter to take over directing.

Edit: GDT also hinted that he wants Ron Perlman (played Hellboy) in the film, possibly as the voice of Smaug, yet he has 'bigger' plans for Perlman. They really must want to cut back on casting costs to save money on nifty SFX

[Pitchwife]

Acting skills aside, Danny boy is way too young! Bilbo was 50 when he went There and Back Again. Granted that hobbits age slower, as they come of age at 33, a hobbit of 50 should probably look like a man in his early or mid thirties.
If this was 20 years ago, I think Colm Meaney would have made a great Bilbo. He's too old now, but he would have had the perfect stature - both physically and acting-wise.

[Morwen]

Daniel Radcliffe as Bilbo Baggins. Shades of Frolijah anyone? I agree that while Radcliffe has improved as an actor he doesn't always sell his scenes. Besides I thought he was tied up finishing the last two Potter movies?

[Hookbill the Goomba]

If any Doctor Who actor would make a good Bilbo I would have said Sylvester McCoy, but ultimately, I'm not sure any of the surviving ones really fit the role. Tennant is especially unsuited in my opinion. If he is in any way involved with the film I'd suspect he was getting the Bard the Bowman role if anything. Of course, we're assuming no new characters are being invented for it...

[Bêthberry]

Originally Posted by Hookbill the Goomba

Of course, we're assuming no new characters are being invented for it...

Well, you know, there is a dearth of female characters in TH, and everybody knows that Hollywood thinks a romance is good for the pocketbook. Maybe they'll get Lucy Lawless to do a female Bard and she and Bilbo can share a certain kind of longing look.

[Tuor in Gondolin]

I think Sylvester McCoy would make a great Bilbo, he seemed
like one of the more sympathetic and empathetic doctors.

As for a female role, just fudge 10 years or so with Aragorn's
age (and does anyone think that would bother PJ?) and you've
got the beginning of the Aragorn/Arwen bit, together with an
appearance (and death scene) by his mother.

[Kitanna]

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

Well, you know, there is a dearth of female characters in TH, and everybody knows that Hollywood thinks a romance is good for the pocketbook. Maybe they'll get Lucy Lawless to do a female Bard and she and Bilbo can share a certain kind of longing look.

It could be the beginning of a great romance. And if PJ pulls a George Lucas and releases a LOTR special edition this female Bard can be digitally added in certain scenes, despite how illogical that would be.

[Boo Radley]

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

Well, you know, there is a dearth of female characters in TH, and everybody knows that Hollywood thinks a romance is good for the pocketbook. Maybe they'll get Lucy Lawless to do a female Bard and she and Bilbo can share a certain kind of longing look.

No. One of the dwarfs will be female. But you won't know which one. Neither will the other dwarfs.
But there'll be plenty of sidelong looks, uncomfortable pauses in conversations around the campfire and general confusion and unspoken innuendo when it comes time to bed down for the night.

[Elfchick7]

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

Well, you know, there is a dearth of female characters in TH, and everybody knows that Hollywood thinks a romance is good for the pocketbook. Maybe they'll get Lucy Lawless to do a female Bard and she and Bilbo can share a certain kind of longing look.

Hahahaha! Oh my goodness! I'm so excited/nervous about the upcoming movies. BTW, has anyone heard if the "Hobbit II" has a name yet?