Today Warner Bros., New Line and Peter Jackson formally announced a sizable portion of The Hobbit’s ensemble cast, including confirmation that Martin Freeman (Hot Fuzz) will play the film’s hero Bilbo Baggins.
Joining Freeman will be a litany of British and American television actors as dwarves including Richard Armitage (MI-5 and Captain America: The First Avenger) as Thorin Oakenshield, leader of the Company of Dwarves; Aidan Turner (Being Human) and Rob Kazinsky (EastEnders) as dwarves Kili and Fili; Graham McTavish (24) as dwarf Dwalin; Stephen Hunter (All Saints) as dwarf Bombur; Mark Hadlow (King Kong) as dwarf Dori; John Callen (Power Rangers Jungle Fury) as dwarf Oin; and Peter Hambleton (The Strip) as dwarf Gloin.
Jackson spoke fondly of Freeman and has no reservations with him carrying The Hobbit films. “There are a few times in your career when you come across an actor who you know was born to play a role, he said. “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.”
Production on The Hobbit films kicked into high gear on October 15 once they were formally green lit. The films are being prepped in New Zealand; however, Warner Bros., New Line and Jackson are threatening to move the production elsewhere after a blackout from various actor unions.
