Martin Freeman confirmed as Bilbo Baggins – Other Cast Announced

The Hobbit was stuck in development limbo for most of this year but after getting the green-light October 15th, casting of the key roles is now underway.

There’s been much speculation as to who would play the lead role in the Rings prequel story, though U.K born Martin Freeman (39) was always the front-runner.

His current role as Dr Watson in the hit detective drama Sherlock, presented a scheduling issue which suggested Freeman would be unable to play the Baggins character.  However as the season’s are relatively short, it appears things have been worked out with production on The Hobbit set to commence February 2011.

Other actors announced to play the other dwarves characters are :

• Aidan Turner (Being Human) as Kili
• Richard Armitage (MI-5) as Thorin Oakenshield
• Graham McTavish (Secretariat) as Dwalin
• Rob Kazinsky (EastEnders) as Fili
• Mark Hadlow (King Kong) as Dori
• John Callen (Power Rangers Jungle Fury) as Oin
• Stephen Hunter (All Saints) as Bombur
• Peter Hambleton (The Strip) as Gloin

Aidan Turner, Richard Armitage, Graham McTavish, Rob Kazinsky, Mark Hadlow

Deadline caught up with director Peter Jackson who confirmed the various actors landing their roles, speaking of the new Bilbo Baggins he said:

Despite the various rumours and speculation surrounding this role, there has only ever been one Bilbo Baggins for us…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.

Of Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield :

Richard is one of the most exciting and dynamic actors working on screen today and we know he is going to make an amazing Thorin Oakensheild. We cannot wait to start this adventure with him and feel very lucky that one of the most beloved characters in Middle-earth is in such good hands.

Finally speaking of EastEnders actor Rob Kazinsky and Being Human star Aidan Turner, Jackson commented:

Rob is an extremely talented young actor with a huge career in front of him, I’m thrilled that he has agreed to take on the role of Fili.  Besides his talent as an actor, Rob is also a champion sword fighter; I’m looking forward to seeing the damage he can do to a horde of marauding Goblins! Adian is a wonderfully gifted young actor who hails from Ireland. I’m sure he will bring enormous heart and humor to the role of Kili.

There is still no word on whether former Doctor Who star David Tennant is still in the running or whether Michael Fassbender or James Nesbit will land roles. In the story, the dwarves eventually encounter Smaug the Dragon and as yet no-one has been cast to voice that role which will be an impressive Weta Digital creation.

We’ll keep you informed of any updates of what will surely be an incredible movie.