Martin Freeman Turns Down Hobbit Role
UPDATE (September 9): Entertainment Weekly says that Freeman is working out a schedule that would free him up to play Bilbo in The Hobbit. Stay tuned...
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Martin Freeman is rumoured to have turned down the chance to play Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit.
According to British tabloid The Sun, the actor was offered the lead in Peter Jackson's big-screen adaptation of JRR Tolkien's classic novel but declined because he had already signed to 20 weeks filming BBC TV drama Sherlock next year, in which he plays Sherlock Holmes sidekick Dr Watson.
A source said: "It was one of the most difficult decisions of his career, MGM, who are making the film, only got a formal offer over in the last couple of weeks.
"It was too late for Martin because he had already signed up for another series of Sherlock. It was agonising but he had no other choice."
Jackson is now holding auditions in London, New York and Sydney in the hope of finding an unknown actor for the role.
The source added to The Sun newspaper: "All the actors had to read four pages of the script to camera which is being shown to Peter Jackson. He is now looking for a hidden gem now Martin has ruled himself out of the job."
Comments:
Comment by Clayton
Well, that doesn't seem like he turned down the role considering he has a prior contract signed with someone else. It's not like he can get out of that bind. If he could, of course he would sign to Hobbit.