My first reaction was, “He’s too young!” But then I remembered how young they cast Frodo… Doesn’t hurt that he’s cute! I really am warming to the idea!
He excelled in ‘Atonement’. No reason to think he won’t excel as the Young Bilbo. He’s reknowned for properly researching his roles and then producing astounding performances. My worries are slowly dissapating re this venture . . .
GOsh, I’ve been racking my brain trying to figure out who I thought would be a good Bilbo and couldn’t think of anyone until I saw that James McAvoy might do it and my first thought was “OH my GOSH! He’s PERFECT!” I think he’d do a great job with Bilbo. He’s an amazing actor
Jack Black!!!???..ARE THEY KIDDING!!! this isnt a farley brothers film for crying out loud!…if thats the way thier thinking of casting this movie,why dont they just ask John Malkovich to play Gandolf…
I really hope they’re just trying to stir a discussion and a surge of interest among the fans, and don’t mean this seriously. At least for me, the choice of this guy would be a disaster.
He’s way too young- Bilbo was supposed to be fifty! Rodwen, the choice of Frodo was way more Ok than this would be- don’t forget he was supposed to look the same ever since he came of age, due to the Ring’s influence. Bilbo was fifty, and he had no Ring!
What matters even more to me, is that this guy’s blank face looks like he can’t act out a single feeling- he may seem handsome to many, but hey, that’s not supposed to be the main point, huh? He’s too lean to be a hobbit, too… To my eyes, he looks like a crossbreed of James Blunt, Orlando Bloom, and Billy Boyd, none of whom I deem a good actor. Ian Holm was an excellent actor… eternal pity he won’t play the role *cries*
I’d be unhappy if McAvoy got the role, as seeing him from the beginning to the end would really spoil the film for me.
Oh yes, please! Thinking about it, he DOES look and sound like Ian Holm! He did great at Mr. Tumnus, and I think he’d do great again as Bilbo. Let’s not forget that a hobbit’s 50 is more like our 30 – so James McAvoy isn’t THAT young. I hope that this is real!
It’s an interesting choice, if they go with it. I really like him as an actor (although, every time I see him in a role, all I see is Mr. Tumnus). I don’t think he’s too young, because after all, 50 in Hobbit years is not the same as 50 in human years. If they could get an 18 year old to play Frodo, than a 28-year old for Bilbo isn’t too awful (and really — by the time they start filming, he’ll probably be 30).
Interesting possible choice of McAvoy. Please, Erú, let it NOT be true they’re seriously considering Jack Black or Daniel Radcliff! Now, I enjoy both of those actors, but this just isn’t the right genre for them at all. Maybe they put out two such unacceptable candidates to make McAvoy seem the better choice. I’m not saying he isn’t; I just wonder what the reasoning behind the top picks is. Hmmmmmmm? And this all may be a mute point if Christopher Tolkien wins his lawsuit against New Line.
After Ian Holm, he is definitely the next best choice. To whomever it was that said he can’t emote properly, I’m not sure you’ve actually seen any of his films. He’s great. Watch the “Shakepeare Retold” version of Macbeth – he is fantastic. He was nominated for several awards for Atonement, and was acclaimed as Mr Tumnus. He would be fantastic.
The thing is, he doesn’t look like Ian Holm, but could easily pass for Elijah Wood’s brother, they look so similar. So at least in that way, It would be easy to picture Frodo and Bilbo as relatives.
I’m all for this! If no Ian Holm, then James all the way!
24 responses to “James McAvoy rumored to play Bilbo”
Oh god. I hope not!
Ooo. Interesting choice. I like McAvoy.
But I hope to God that Jack Black or Daniel Radcliff isn’t chosen. I won’t see it.
I’ve been saying James MacAvoy should play Bilbo. I hope he gets the role.
well i guess i dont care as long as he acts good, portrays Bilbo like Ian Holm did, and looks enough like Biblo to pass as the younger self! lol
My first reaction was, “He’s too young!” But then I remembered how young they cast Frodo… Doesn’t hurt that he’s cute! I really am warming to the idea!
Hmm, that would be quite interesting. The thing I’m worried about is if he looks and acts enough like Bilbo. =S
He is a bit young, but I loooooved him in the The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. I’d be uber excited if he got the part. (:
No way! He CAN’T play Bilbo! He doesn’t look ENOUGH like Ian Holm! I don’t think it’s a good idea, I really don’t.
OH.MY.GOSH. That would be FABULOUS! I wish Ian Holm could do it, though. 🙁
Good Actor. Good Choice.
He excelled in ‘Atonement’. No reason to think he won’t excel as the Young Bilbo. He’s reknowned for properly researching his roles and then producing astounding performances. My worries are slowly dissapating re this venture . . .
GOsh, I’ve been racking my brain trying to figure out who I thought would be a good Bilbo and couldn’t think of anyone until I saw that James McAvoy might do it and my first thought was “OH my GOSH! He’s PERFECT!” I think he’d do a great job with Bilbo. He’s an amazing actor
Jack Black!!!???..ARE THEY KIDDING!!! this isnt a farley brothers film for crying out loud!…if thats the way thier thinking of casting this movie,why dont they just ask John Malkovich to play Gandolf…
Omgoodness……wow…wasnt expecting that one…hm…i wonder if he would fit the part well…oh lord…
I really hope they’re just trying to stir a discussion and a surge of interest among the fans, and don’t mean this seriously. At least for me, the choice of this guy would be a disaster.
He’s way too young- Bilbo was supposed to be fifty! Rodwen, the choice of Frodo was way more Ok than this would be- don’t forget he was supposed to look the same ever since he came of age, due to the Ring’s influence. Bilbo was fifty, and he had no Ring!
What matters even more to me, is that this guy’s blank face looks like he can’t act out a single feeling- he may seem handsome to many, but hey, that’s not supposed to be the main point, huh? He’s too lean to be a hobbit, too… To my eyes, he looks like a crossbreed of James Blunt, Orlando Bloom, and Billy Boyd, none of whom I deem a good actor. Ian Holm was an excellent actor… eternal pity he won’t play the role *cries*
I’d be unhappy if McAvoy got the role, as seeing him from the beginning to the end would really spoil the film for me.
Oh yes, please! Thinking about it, he DOES look and sound like Ian Holm! He did great at Mr. Tumnus, and I think he’d do great again as Bilbo. Let’s not forget that a hobbit’s 50 is more like our 30 – so James McAvoy isn’t THAT young. I hope that this is real!
OK, i love james mcavoy, but he cant be bilbo!! hes too young! ian holm all the way!
It’s an interesting choice, if they go with it. I really like him as an actor (although, every time I see him in a role, all I see is Mr. Tumnus). I don’t think he’s too young, because after all, 50 in Hobbit years is not the same as 50 in human years. If they could get an 18 year old to play Frodo, than a 28-year old for Bilbo isn’t too awful (and really — by the time they start filming, he’ll probably be 30).
…
Remember folks that Bilbo was about the same age in the time of the Hobbit as Frodo in lotr, if I remember correctly.
I for my part would be happy to see McAvoy in Bilbo’s role 🙂
Interesting possible choice of McAvoy. Please, Erú, let it NOT be true they’re seriously considering Jack Black or Daniel Radcliff! Now, I enjoy both of those actors, but this just isn’t the right genre for them at all. Maybe they put out two such unacceptable candidates to make McAvoy seem the better choice. I’m not saying he isn’t; I just wonder what the reasoning behind the top picks is. Hmmmmmmm? And this all may be a mute point if Christopher Tolkien wins his lawsuit against New Line.
After Ian Holm, he is definitely the next best choice. To whomever it was that said he can’t emote properly, I’m not sure you’ve actually seen any of his films. He’s great. Watch the “Shakepeare Retold” version of Macbeth – he is fantastic. He was nominated for several awards for Atonement, and was acclaimed as Mr Tumnus. He would be fantastic.
The thing is, he doesn’t look like Ian Holm, but could easily pass for Elijah Wood’s brother, they look so similar. So at least in that way, It would be easy to picture Frodo and Bilbo as relatives.
I’m all for this! If no Ian Holm, then James all the way!