James McAvoy as Bilbo Baggins?

[Brinniel]

Originally Posted by Knight of Gondor

Other actors mentioned were Harry Potter's Daniel Radcliffe and (oh gag) Jack Black.

Oh no...while I do like Jack Black in some movies, the idea of him playing Bilbo makes me sick. It's just not right...and it'd ruin the whole film. As for Daniel Radcliffe, that's an awful idea as well. Not only is he way too young, but he's simply not a spectacular actor. Besides, while he does need a chance to get away from Harry Potter stuff, the dumbest thing to do is to move from playing one popular literary character straight to another. If he were to play Bilbo, I could just see audience pointing at the screen saying, "Look, Harry Potter is Bilbo!" Good God, no.

But when it comes to James McAvoy, I think he could be an excellent choice. He does seem a little young, but he certainly does have a hobbitish look about him and plus he's a great actor. When it comes to the whole age debate here, let me remind you it is typical Hollywood for when it comes to children for the actor to be older than the character, and when it comes to adults for actor to be younger than the character. That's just how it is whether you like it or not...so I really doubt we can expect an actor who is 50 to play Bilbo. Anyways, I agree with some others here that I've always imagined hobbits to look about 10 years younger than their age due to their longer life expectancy.

I posted this on another thread before, but if you're looking for a Bilbo who looks like Ian Holm, I would recommend Liev Schreiber. I love him as both a director and actor, and I actually think he'd be a wonderful Bilbo. He'd be my first choice, but as it doesn't look like he's being considered, I will still be perfectly happy if James McAvoy is chosen..

[ArathornJax]

Jack Black has denied that he is the Riddle Maker ie Biblo. See http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2008/05/31...ot-play-bilbo/


Also over in one of the threads at OneRing.Net GDT stated the following:

“We will not choose casting until after we finish the scripts. Period. So, no- No talks are bound to take place with any actor to play Bilbo in the near future. Pages come first.” And, in another comment: “When its a fact- You’ll hear it from me first- and, very likely, right here.”
http://newboards.theonering.net/foru...102740;#102740

Also:
casting is not closed... at all- we will not choose casting until after we finish the scripts. Period.
So, no- No talks are bound to take place with any actor to play Bilbo in the near future. Pages come first.
Some of the stuff reported there is just a tad too insane...

Best
GDT

http://newboards.theonering.net/foru...102704;#102704

everything we shared yesterday is "What we know..." while PJ and the gang finish LOVELY BONES and Your Truly finishes this insane enterprise that is HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY. Im in London until late June and won't go to NZ until Late July.

So much can change. But so much is being done to assure the best we can do...

Yr Obt Svt

GDT

http://newboards.theonering.net/foru...101653;#101653

Anyway, if I remember correctly from somewhere script writing won't start until after GDT is in NZ and settled. I think that means end of the year or most likely next year before the script is done. Thus though they may know who they want for Bilbo, I'm not sure that means they are in negotiations or will be until after the script is done or close to being done. We'll see, but I think outside of knowing Gandalf (Sir Ian M.), Gollum (Andy S.) and Aragorn (Viggo M.) the rest will have to wait until the script is done. So it is fun to speculate but that it is what it is until speculation is ended with the official announcement.