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Seems like every day is filled with some new rumor regarding the possibility that Martin Freeman (SHERLOCK) is going to play Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson’s THE HOBBIT, which is set to begin shooting in February of next year… maybe – read here for more info as to why I say “maybe” on that. But today, we may have a bit of confirmation on Martin being cast by way of a rather unexpected source, one Simon Pegg. What does the talented funny man of SHAUN OF THE DEAD and HOT FUZZ fame have to do with THE HOBBIT? Nothing. But he knows Martin well, and in an interview with The Guardian, Pegg said the following:
…he enjoys a good giggle on relating the news that Martin Freeman has been cast in the lead role in The Hobbit, the prospect of his friend having to endure the sci-fi convention circuit absolutely delighting him. “Martin’s the anti-me: a soul aficionado and a vinyl junkie – absolutely not a resident of the geek universe. Not the type of person who will relish the attention he’ll get for being Bilbo Baggins. Ha!”
So… that’s… kind of official, right? Sounds like it. A lot of times the studios want to hold off on making casting announcements like this until they can get the exact proper wording, and make a big deal out of it in their own special way. But in this day of internet blogging, it’s getting harder and harder to keep a secret. Personally, I love the idea of Freeman playing Bilbo. He’s got a lot of gravitas both as a comedic and dramatic actor, and I think he definitely looks right for the part. Do you agree? Tell us in the comments. Thanks to the lovely Adrienne Mann for tipping us on this one! In the meantime, for absolutely no reason, here’s the classically painful “The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins” music video by Leonard Nimoy. Get ready to cringe.
Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff. 
