July 17, 2009 | by Ross Miller 

Rumor: Radcliffe, Tennant, McAvoy – Who’s Your Hobbit?

The Hobbit casting header

One of the big questions of Guillermo del Toro and Peter Jackson’s upcoming adaptation of The Hobbit is who will play the main character of Bilbo Baggins? We’ve already had the casting confirmations of Ian McKellen (as Gandalf), Andy Serkis (as Gollum/Smeagol) and Hugo Weaving (as Lord Elrond), but was their return really a surprise to anyone? The truly important casting is that of the titular Hobbit – and recently there’s been a few names floating around that might be possibilities to fill the role.

Los Angeles Time’s Hero Complex picked up on the rumor of three actors possibly up for the role of Bilbo Baggins: Harry Potter’s Daniel Radcliffe, Doctor Who’s David Tennant and Wanted’s James McAvoy. If you’ve been keeping up with The Hobbit casting news, you may remember the latter was rumored a while back to be up for Bilbo (along with Jack Black – eek!) but that idea was quickly squashed. However, what Hero Complex reports is that he’s being rumored yet again.

Oh, how these rumors continue to rear their heads…

Radcliffe, as we all know, plays the famous Harry Potter (if don’t know that, what rock have you been hiding under?), and him being rumored for The Hobbit I think is inevitable. Not that it’s all that likely he’ll get the role though, as he’s already spent his entire teenage years starring in one fantasy franchise, and as it comes to a close next year with the two-part Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, I doubt he’ll want to commit to another fantasy franchise for a long time. Besides, Radcliffe has already expressed his interest in concentrating on smaller roles (most likely to prove he’s not a one-spell wizard), so  I’d be very surprised if he wound up getting The Hobbit gig.

The most likely of the three to play Bilbo is Doctor Who himself, David Tennant. Peter Jackson is making an appearance at Comic Con next week, which has already led to speculation that a casting announcement for The Hobbit will happen there. And who just so happens to be making his first-ever appearance at Comic-Con this year? Why none other than David Tennant, who’s supposedly there to promote Doctor Who. But when you consider that Tennant’s run as Doctor Who is coming to an end soon, could this mean he and Jackson will be making a little announcement? UPDATE: Peter Jackson has confirmed that he WON’T be announcing casting at Comic-Con next week, they haven’t made any decisions yet (Thanks to SR reader “Joshi” and Empire Online).

The Hobbit

The elder version of Bilbo Baggins, played by Ian Holm in Lord of The Rings.

If it is to be one of these three actors (which, remember, it could very well not be) who snags the role of Bilbo Baggins, I’d put my money on Tennant. If I could have my personal pick of who I’d like to play Bilbo, I’d take McAvoy, but Tennant would nonetheless be a fine choice in my book.

Who’s your Hobbit – Daniel Radcliffe, David Tennant, James McAvoy? Or is it someone else entirely? Let us know!

The first intallment of The Hobbit is slated to be released in December, 2011, and the second in December, 2012.

Sources: Hero Complex (thanks to FilmSchoolRejects and /Film)

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  • Tennant's got the quirky look, but McAvoy could probably give the best LotR style performance.

    I think Daniel Radcliffe would be a terrible choice.
  • Ben
    Tennant is an interesting choice that I probably wouldn't have thought of; I think he could be pretty good actually. Although I do have to say it's a shame they can't cast Ian Holm 25 years ago, he was absolutely perfect as Bilbo!
  • Sorrytobother
    Either or as long as Radcliffe goes no where near the set.
  • RJ
    I wish they would use Ian Holm again!! He was the PERFECT Bilbo in LoTR, and since Bilbo in The Hobbit is also not YOUNG, Ian Holm could be made to look sufficiently enough younger and a stunt double could be used for the many physically challenging scenes that would be in the movies. However, since I know I probably won't get that wish, my second choice would be James McAvoy, whose knack for very expressive and endearing facial expression would bring Bilbo to life better than anyone else.
  • Matt Keith
    While I like Tennant, I think that McAvoy should get the role of Bilbo.
  • Forrester
    If those are our three choices, then I have to go with McAvoy. Tennant and Radcliffe bring too much Harry Potter and Dr. Who baggage with them. They would not disappear into the role the way I believe McAvoy would.

    Also, McAvoy looks more like English countryfolk to me than the other two. Tennant and Radcliffe have cityfolk stamped all over them (assuming there is such a word).
  • LC
    While back GdT was asked what qualities he is looking for in the actor to portray Bilbo. This is a quote from the article:

    He has not announced who will play the central character of Bilbo Baggins, but whoever gets the role must be able "to transmit a certain aura of damaged innocence, integrity and innate goodness that are very Hobbity."
    http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/movies/47...

    For me that is James McAvoy. But he was my first choice last year too.
  • Josh R
    I never would have thought of Tennant for the part, and I think he could be good. But I'm still holding out for Martin Freeman.

    Google him. He's perfect for the part in way none of these three guys are.
  • @Joshi,

    If you look at the post now above the pic of Ian Holm as Bilbo, you'll see your welcome tip/update to the story.

    Oh, and Vic told me to tell you even though he disagrees with you on Transformers, he's still a reasonable enough guy to give credit where credit's due.

    :)
  • hamlet3k
    If I were directing The Hobbit, Martin Freeman would be my first choice as well. And every time the conversation comes up (both here and in RL) I loudly voice my opinion on the matter. :)
  • 790
    To think Tennant would leave Doctor Who to play this character makes me ill.
    Radcliffe who? I've been living under a rock and have never seen a Potter flick ??? :-)
    Its a pretty cool rock btw.
  • @Joshi

    That was a joke, son. No worries. :-P

    Vic
  • Huggybear
    Tennant as my first choice, i just adore him. But i'm afraid he did so awesome job as The Doctor that he might be always just that - The Doctor and nothing else. McAvoy would probably do a good job too, but i really, really don't see Radcliffe in that role - or in any other besides Harry Potter.
  • I would not have thought of David Tennant, but I would LOVE to see him get a shot at a big budget film like this. He really did a fantastic job with Doctor Who, and I think he could deliver a very quirky and yet dramatic performance.

    I think McAvoy would do very well, too, so I wouldn't be upset if he got the part. As for Radcliffe, I just find it unlikely he'd even be available for this part, if he even wanted to do it.
  • skippy2057
    In a perfect world, it would a younger Ian Holm; but, of the three actors mentioned, I think it has to be McAvoy. As someone else said, he can really "disappear" into a role.

    I bet Martin Freeman could do a good job with the role too, though.

    These movies could be so great. I would be so happy if they could capture some of the magic of the LOTR trilogy.
  • SIN187UM
    Maybe its just me but it seems that jack black comes up in alot of rumors for some leading roles ( i think rumored for even the Green lantern at one point). this must be a running joke perpetuated by Hollywood and Jack Black
  • Billy
    McAvoy is by far the best actor of the 3 so I'll take him...
  • Psyko
    While I have to agree, with previous comments, that McAvoy would do the best, Tennant is the only one I can actually picture as a hobbit. He really looks the part.

    Radcliffe? I think I'd have to get therapy.
  • 790
    Tennant could pull off Margaret Thatcher if he had to, but he's too tall for a Hobbit and I couldn't care less about another Hobbit rendition.
    Ah am gonna puke.
  • Phil G
    No, no, and no.

    Is there an option: "None of the above?"
  • gottarhyme
    I think that Daniel Radcliffe would make a great hobbit (He is already the same size as one ;) )

    David Tennant could play a paper bag and still be worthy of a BAFTA, James McAvoy would also be good.

    I can't wait to see it!
  • Shamose
    Due to his excellent performance as the doctor, if it came down to these three I would say tennant would defenitly win...

    But I would much prefer Macavoy, he is fast becoming my favourite actor, and im still yet to see wanted.

    why cant they use ian holm again? he is supposed to be the same age in the hobbit and LOTR due to the ring giving him prolonged life?
  • Claire
    It would be weird seeing the Doctor as Biblio Baggins, but I thnik I can get over that, also it just be funny to see David Tennant as Biblio Baggins. I would definitely want to see The Hobbit then, I'd be anticipating it for a very long time, too.

    Also, Tennat is an excellent actor, I mean the way he's played the Doctor is incredibble. In some of the shows that had bad writing, Tennant just made the show so much better, and even the shows with excellent writing, there is where Tennant shined.
  • tasouli
    I actually never realized it before but Daniel Radcliffe would make a great bilbo...he is oalready short for one and he very much resembles Elijah Wood. Only thing with Radcliffe is that I think after Potter he will be typecasted and many people will have problems with Harry Potter portraying the young bilbo Baggins
  • Cyb
    I love David Tennant, but not for this role. He would create a GOOFY Bilbo with those "deer-in-the-headlights" eyes and quirky expressions. I don't think I could get over that.
  • Andrew
    I think any of these three would be great, but I doubt Radcliffe will be Bilbo, simply because he's already the titular character in a major fantasy franchise that's STILL GOING. Having said that, I think Tennant could lose himself in the role...as he did as Barty Crouch, Jr., in the 4th "Harry Potter" film (oddly, the same film that also had Robert Pattinson as Cedric Diggory and who is now the sparkly vampire Edward Cullen in the "new" fantasy film franchise "Twilight"...Boy, that Goblet of Fire really DID pick some champions :)). McAvoy would definitely do the role justice (remember that his acceptance of the role of Wesley was one of the selling points of "Wanted").

    I think, just because of the timing, that Tennant will be Bilbo...but I could be talking out of my arse.

    Oh, and as for the Jack Black connection, I'm betting his continually dropped name IS a running gag but one that is especially appropriate for the rumor-mongoring surrounding "The Hobbit"--Remember that he WAS in the MTV spoof of "Fellowship"...as Frodo! ;)
  • Andrew
    It just occurred to me when the last posting in this thread was sent (July 20th)...DO we know who will be Bilbo yet???
  • Maria Castro
    Anyone know where they're going to film the hobbit and how one can possinly be an extra for the film?
  • Daniel
    I think that they should hold to the book and cast Ian Holm. In the book he left for his adventure at age 50. And then when we see him again at age 111 Gandalf says "you haven't aged a day" and that was due to the ring. So they should cast an older man instead of a younger one.
  • Cassygirl
    c'monnnnnnn martin freeman :P
    I think david tennant's acting skills would certainly make for an amazing bilbo, however unlike john rhys meyers he is tall but verrrrry skinny so i am not sure ho that'd work :/

    daniel radcliffe I can only picture as a pale, geeky wizard
    though he certainly looks like a hobbit

    I could happily watch 2 horus of james McAvoy

    still, martin freeman is my personal choice, he has the acting skills, looks and resemblance to holmes.
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