The U.K.’s Telegraph newspaper has a report today that actor David Tennant is on the short list to play Bilbo Baggins in the upcoming feature film version of J.R.R. Tolkein’s “The Hobbit.”
The Scottish star leads a list of stars, including James McAvoy and Daniel Radcliffe, vying to play the title role of Bilbo Baggins in “The Hobbit.” The film – which may be split in two – is based on Tolkien’s children’s book prequel to The Lord Of The Rings hit series.
The actor is set to make his debut at ComicCon this weekend on a panel for “Doctor Who.” Also in attendance will be producer Peter Jackson, who is expected to break the casting news. These two events have some fans and media outlets putting two and two together…
“”I think Tennant would be exceptional in the role,” Jackson is reported to say.
Tennant is currently filming St. Trinian’s, The Legend of Fritton’s Gold, and will be last seen as the tenth Timelord in a Christmas special.
Several members of the original cast are returning, including Sir Ian McKellen as Gandalf.
And Christopher Lee – who played Saruman – has announced he would like to come back, too.
The 86-year-old said: “I’ve read the books time and again. Originally Saruman The White and the rest of the wizards, or the Istari as they call them, were immortal.
“When it all started, Saruman was the noblest, the finest, the bravest, the most dependable and reliable of them all, he was number one. But somewhere, somehow, and it was never actually explained, he turns.
“I’d be interested in seeing how that transition from good to evil occurred and, yes, of course I would return to the role if I was asked.”
So what happened to Ian Holmes?
I still say Martin Freeman should be Bilbo Baggins.
Peter Jackson has already denied these rumors.
http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=25349
This entire thing started when an L.A. Time editorial decided that the fact that Jackson and Tennant were going to be in San Dago on the same weekend equaled a casting announcement. Within 16 hours, this became a near fact that Tennant was “being considered for the the role” all over the world.
What the hell happened to fact checking in journalism?
@ Kip:
Journalism at Slice of SciFi is alive and well. If, and only if, you read the Empire Online article with the eye of a journalist, then you will notice one particular and telling thing…..Jackson never denies the rumors concerning Tennant (or any of the other rumored candidates), he simply says — and I quote: “No, we won’t be announcing Bilbo for a little while. We’re starting to think about casting, but we’re knee-deep in the script right now. And when we do go to actors, they’re probably going to ask to see a script, so we’re powering ahead with getting the first draft done.”
One of the abc’s in entertaiment journalism is when someone doesn’t deny a point-blank question then, even if they haven’t yet asked an actor about doing a role, their non-outright denial of it means it is highly likely they are on the short list.
However, Kip, you are correct about one thing…at this point in the making of the film it is all rumor and speculation, which we lead our readers to conclude that with the way the article has been presented here.
One of the few movies that Samual Jackson with the robot arm would not look cool. OK, he would still look “cool”, it just wouldn’t fit.
YAY!! i sent this in, isn’t it coolies????
darcy
I want to see him wear the red converse high tops! HEHEHEE
dont know if its true, i just thought id share with the slice crew. i like this lots!! woots!
Darcy
Knowing how they did the scaling / perspective for the hobbits in LotR, I’d think that Tennant is far too tall. Frodo, Bilbo, et al. were all cast with actors around 5′ 7″. Tennant is over six feet, and rather slender to boot. Not all that hobbit-y. I think he’d make a fine Ranger or elf, though.