James McAvoy as Bilbo Baggins? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Mithalwen · 06-02-2008, 01:45 PM

Don't forget "Queer lodgings"

And of course Buckland "where folks are so queer" Presumably to "live on the wrong side of the Brandywine" is a Hobbit euphemism for an alternative lifestyle.

***The Barrow-Wight*** · 06-02-2008, 04:40 PM

This is way, way off topic. The personal lives of actors and how they affect your view of their portrayal of characters should be discussed outside the barrow, especially when it devolves into chatty wordplay.

Lush · 06-03-2008, 03:02 AM

mark! It's good to see you again too. It's been too long.

McAvoy is not only young, he looks young. This guy's almost 30, and he easily play a high-schooler. But he has an amazing chameleon aspect to him:\

"Last King of Scotland"
"The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe"
"Starter For 10"
"Atonement"
"Becoming Jane"
etc.

He highly versatile. He can play a drink-addled, corrupt, cowardly doctor, a faun, a lovable nerd, a tragic hero, and a charming cad with a heart of gold, all very, very easily. I could see him as a convincing hobbit.

He may make me re-think hobbits altogether though. Everyone knows I've always preferred elves, and now this...

Knight of Gondor · 06-05-2008, 09:38 PM

I will NOT mention the term used for a bundle of wood in the book, I will NOT mention the term used for a bundle of wood in the book, I will NOT mention the term used for a bundle of wood in the book...

My main objection is that James McAvoy is simply too young. Black would be outside of his element (has anyone forgotten the desecration he dealt Fellowship of the Ring on that blasted MTV spoof?) and no Hogwarts boy wizard could possibly do the role justice.

I would like McAvoy for the role in, say, 30 years or so. I think he could, as Lush says (hi Lush! Long time no see!) play a hobbit. But not Bilbo.

Diamond18 · 06-06-2008, 02:29 PM

I liked Jack Black in "The Holiday" -- but agree that he wouldn't make a good Bilbo.

I've only seen McAvoy in Narnia and Becoming Jane... judging from those I wouldn't think of him as Hobbitish. But I did like him in both.

Of the name bandied about here, Michael C. Hall seems by far the most Bilbo-esque of the lot. At least, judging from his run on Six Feet Under. (I've yet to see Dexter.)

Lush · 06-08-2008, 01:58 AM

Hi Knight!

I agree that Jack Black would be the wrong choice. I think that he's a very intelligent, very funny man (he reminds me of the guys I hung out with in college), but I can't see him as Bilbo. I'm always up to being pleasantly surprised, but I think that this would be a disaster of Anakin Skywalker-sized proportions.

I love Michael C. Hall. He's a hilarious, brave actor and he has amazing range, and "Six Feet Under" was glorious. I'm not entirely sure that he can "carry" a vehicle like this - something that has nothing to do with his talent and looks, and everything to do with the way the big-budget marketing world works.

I'm sure that they will choose someone young, and devilishly cute, to play Bilbo. I can only hope that they will choose someone young, devilishly cute, and extremely talented. Which is why I hope they'd go for someone like McAvoy. Or an unknown dude.

Maedhros_the_Tall · 06-08-2008, 02:31 AM

For me, out of the names mentioned, McAvoy is the only person I think could potentially play Bilbo, and play him well. Jack Black? Don't make me laugh. Daniel Radcliffe? The pocket battleship that played the, supposedly, skinny and weak Harry Potter that badly!? Send him elsewhere. We don't need him mucking up the Hobbit as well, and the association with the kids in the cinema watching the film as well would be appalling.

Michael C. Hall I can't comment on though, I've never seen him in anything, to the best of my knowledge!

Eönwë · 06-08-2008, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lush

Or an unknown dude.

Thats always an option.

06-02-2008, 01:45 PM	#1
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	Don't forget "Queer lodgings" And of course Buckland "where folks are so queer" Presumably to "live on the wrong side of the Brandywine" is a Hobbit euphemism for an alternative lifestyle. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace Last edited by Mithalwen; 06-02-2008 at 01:53 PM.

06-02-2008, 04:40 PM	#2
*The Barrow-Wight* Night In Wight Satin Join Date: May 2000 Posts: 4,043	Off topic and chatty This is way, way off topic. The personal lives of actors and how they affect your view of their portrayal of characters should be discussed outside the barrow, especially when it devolves into chatty wordplay. __________________ The Barrow-Wight

06-03-2008, 03:02 AM	#3
Lush Fair and Cold Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: the big onion Posts: 1,770	mark! It's good to see you again too. It's been too long. McAvoy is not only young, he looks young. This guy's almost 30, and he easily play a high-schooler. But he has an amazing chameleon aspect to him:\ "Last King of Scotland" "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" "Starter For 10" "Atonement" "Becoming Jane" etc. He highly versatile. He can play a drink-addled, corrupt, cowardly doctor, a faun, a lovable nerd, a tragic hero, and a charming cad with a heart of gold, all very, very easily. I could see him as a convincing hobbit. He may make me re-think hobbits altogether though. Everyone knows I've always preferred elves, and now this... __________________ ~The beginning is the word and the end is silence. And in between are all the stories. This is one of mine~

06-05-2008, 09:38 PM	#4
Knight of Gondor Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Kentucky Posts: 744	I will NOT mention the term used for a bundle of wood in the book, I will NOT mention the term used for a bundle of wood in the book, I will NOT mention the term used for a bundle of wood in the book... My main objection is that James McAvoy is simply too young. Black would be outside of his element (has anyone forgotten the desecration he dealt Fellowship of the Ring on that blasted MTV spoof?) and no Hogwarts boy wizard could possibly do the role justice. I would like McAvoy for the role in, say, 30 years or so. I think he could, as Lush says (hi Lush! Long time no see!) play a hobbit. But not Bilbo. __________________ Eagerly awaiting the REAL Return of the King - Jesus Christ! Revelation 19:11-16

06-06-2008, 02:29 PM	#5
Diamond18 Eidolon of a Took Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: my own private fantasy world Posts: 3,460	I liked Jack Black in "The Holiday" -- but agree that he wouldn't make a good Bilbo. I've only seen McAvoy in Narnia and Becoming Jane... judging from those I wouldn't think of him as Hobbitish. But I did like him in both. Of the name bandied about here, Michael C. Hall seems by far the most Bilbo-esque of the lot. At least, judging from his run on Six Feet Under. (I've yet to see Dexter.) __________________ All shall be rather fond of me and suffer from mild depression.

06-08-2008, 01:58 AM	#6
Lush Fair and Cold Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: the big onion Posts: 1,770	Hi Knight! I agree that Jack Black would be the wrong choice. I think that he's a very intelligent, very funny man (he reminds me of the guys I hung out with in college), but I can't see him as Bilbo. I'm always up to being pleasantly surprised, but I think that this would be a disaster of Anakin Skywalker-sized proportions. I love Michael C. Hall. He's a hilarious, brave actor and he has amazing range, and "Six Feet Under" was glorious. I'm not entirely sure that he can "carry" a vehicle like this - something that has nothing to do with his talent and looks, and everything to do with the way the big-budget marketing world works. I'm sure that they will choose someone young, and devilishly cute, to play Bilbo. I can only hope that they will choose someone young, devilishly cute, and extremely talented. Which is why I hope they'd go for someone like McAvoy. Or an unknown dude. __________________ ~The beginning is the word and the end is silence. And in between are all the stories. This is one of mine~

06-08-2008, 02:31 AM	#7
Maedhros_the_Tall Haunting Spirit Join Date: May 2008 Location: North East of England, currently at university in South West Scotland. Posts: 56	For me, out of the names mentioned, McAvoy is the only person I think could potentially play Bilbo, and play him well. Jack Black? Don't make me laugh. Daniel Radcliffe? The pocket battleship that played the, supposedly, skinny and weak Harry Potter that badly!? Send him elsewhere. We don't need him mucking up the Hobbit as well, and the association with the kids in the cinema watching the film as well would be appalling. Michael C. Hall I can't comment on though, I've never seen him in anything, to the best of my knowledge! __________________ In Doriath let him reign, and be glad that he has the sons of Finwe for his neighbours, not the Orcs of Morgoth that we found.