The Hobbit gets Greenlight, Casting Underway

With news breaking just days ago that The Hobbit prequels had finally received the green light and that the illustrious talents of Peter Jackson would be steering the production as he did with his epic Lord of The Rings trilogy, casting is now underway for the new films. Whilst Ian McKellen and Andy Serkis are likely to be reprise their roles of Gandalf and Gollum, the pivotal role of Bilbo Baggins is still the main consideration. All indications point to English actor Martin Freeman as the front-runner who’s disarming charisma works to his advantage and could bring plenty of pathos to his interpretation of the much conflicted hobbit who was seen at the latter part of his story when portrayed by Ian Holm in the Rings films. The only foreseeable issue to Freeman’s casting is his current commitment to the U.K’s hit show, Sherlock the modern retelling of the famed 1880’s detective created by Doctor Who head writer Steven Moffat.

In the running for other roles is the former Doctor Who himself David Tennant who was originally up for the part of Bilbo Baggins but is now likely to play some other character. The other contenders who top the list is Michael Fassbender whose currently playing the younger version of Ian McKellen’s Magneto in X-men First Class and rounding out the list is James Nesbitt whose been in a number of U.K British shows and films.

Martin Freeman, David Tennant, Michael Fassbender, James Nesbitt

The Hobbit is looking at a shoot date to commence in February next year and Peter Jackson had this to say about the new films:

Exploring Tolkien’s Middle-earth goes way beyond a normal film-making experience…It’s an all-immersive journey into a very special place of imagination, beauty and drama. We’re looking forward to re-entering this wondrous world with Gandalf and Bilbo…

Part 1 of The Hobbit is set for release  December 19th, 2012, with Part 2 following the next year.