You probably don’t know Martin Freeman’s name (if you’re an American), but you’ll know his work. He played Tim in the British version of The Office that inspired the American remake, he played the role of John in every girl’s favorite film Love Actually, and he’s best known as Arthur Dent from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. If you don’t know him now, you’ll know him soon, as Martin Freeman has just been cast in the role of Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson’s adaptation of The Hobbit.
“Despite the various rumors and speculation surrounding this role, there has only ever been one Bilbo Baggins for us,” said Peter Jackson. “There are a few times in your career when you come across an actor who you know was born to play a role, but that was the case as soon as I met Martin. He is intelligent, funny, surprising and brave – exactly like Bilbo and I feel incredibly proud to be able to announce that he is our Hobbit.”
Notice I said Martin Freeman, not Morgan Freeman. You swap a few letters around, and you’ve got a hilarious answer, rather than a reasonable one. Not that Morgan Freeman would’ve been a bad Bilbo Baggins 50 years ago, but these days he’s just a little bit too old for the part. This is going to be a really good adaptation, as Peter Jackson did The Lord of the Rings justice in every way.
Tags: Peter Jackson, The Hobbit, Martin Freeman, Bilbo Baggins, Martin Freeman to play Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit, casting news, Hollywood, Martin Freeman not Morgan Freeman, Morgan Freeman, The Office UK, Hobbit cast announced