James McAvoy in the Running to Play Bilbo Baggins

British tabloid Daily Express is reporting that James McAvoy is the leading candidate to play Bilbo Baggins in the Guillermo del Toro-directed, Peter Jackson-produced film version of The Hobbit. McAvoy, whose career has been on fire for the past three years with roles in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Last King of Scotland, Atonement, and this summer's Wanted, would physically be a good fit for the role and beyond that, has shown tremendous ability to carry the dramatic weight of a picture, which is what he'd need to do in The Hobbit. Certainly, the role has not been cast, and it isn't likely to be for several months, but those notorious insiders claim that McAvoy is the guy the bosses want. "They're expected to have to have talks soon so hopefully it could be confirmed in the not too distant future," said the source. Among the other names bandied about are Daniel Radcliffe and Jack Black, which, if the last name is true, means that Peter Jackson really needs to get over his Jack Black thing. I don't think they could go wrong with McAvoy, and it's one of those situations where, now that I've heard a great suggestion, I have a hard time picturing someone who could do a better job. This would be a great bit of casting, so let's hope they get it done.

Comments

[JMK]

Leonard Nimoy HAS to sing the theme song to this, right?