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THE HOBBIT NEWS

Do You Want Tobey Maguire as Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit?

by Alex Billington
December 14, 2009
Source: Latino Review, Movieline

You've probably already heard this, but there's a rumor that Tobey Maguire is in the running for the role of Bilbo Baggins in Guillermo del Toro's The Hobbit. The rumor originates from Latino Review, where they say "agency sources" told them that Maguire is "in the early stages of talks between CAA and the producers of The Hobbit." If anything, Maguire is interested but not officially signed on. While MTV thinks it's all legit, Movieline, on the other hand, does not. "'This is false!' Maguire's publicist Kelly Bush emphatically (and exclusively) told Movieline, eschewing the potential wiggle room of a simple 'no comment at this time.'"

We've heard rumors before about who might be playing Bilbo - actors like James McAvoy, David Tennant, and Daniel Radcliffe have been named. Normally I don't care to even mention that kind of stuff until it's official. We know that they're casting (Peter Jackson said they were starting) and Maguire did say at a recent press conference for Brothers that "[Guillermo del Toro and I] may have something here in the near future." So there is some potential that this could turn out true, and Maguire could be cast as Bilbo. But the bigger question, in my mind, is if anyone thinks it's a good idea. Would you see The Hobbit with Tobey Maguire?

El Mayimbe of Latino Review says: "If you think about it, a star like Tobey Maguire would make sense and provide a comfort zone for the WB because both The Hobbit films are going to be very expensive. I just don't see WB greenlighting a mega tentpole like The Hobbit films with a complete unknown toplining." He's saying that from a marketing standpoint, Maguire is a good choice. However, I don't think Maguire is a good choice visually. He's a talented actor with a lot of range, he just doesn't look like Bilbo (or Ian Holm). In my mind he's Peter Parker and I really don't think he'd be a good fit. Would you be happy if he was cast?

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Related categories: Casting, Discussion, Hobbit News, Rumors

splinter

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
splinter

i had enough with this "pussy" actor....first he ruined spider-man.....now this....cant believe....
Ron

I think James MaAvoy would be a better pick.
http://www.valeriewriter.com Valerie Atherton

I like Tobey McGuire a lot. I think he would be a good addition to any film BUT I don't see why they don't just give the part back to Elijah Wood, since it was his role in the first trilogy.
d1rEct

#3 - I agree.
Kerr

Please no. I don't have anything against Toby M. I just do see him fitting into The Hobbit. By the way, Elijah played Frodo Baggins in Lord of the Rings, Bilbo was his uncle. Ian Holm unfortunately cannot reprise his role as Bilbo, sadly. I'm all for James McAvoy as Bilbo for The Hobbit.
Kerr

That should have said I DO NOT SEE HIM FITTING INTO THE HOBBIT! LOL Sorry about that.
chrisbo

I have faith in Peter Jackson as a producer. He knows better than to sign this piece of vagina as Bilbo. Not only does this kid not open his mouth to speak, but he's the most feminine piece of dung this side of hollywood. Ruin a billion dollar franchise, I think not. If he's signed on for the Lord of the Rings, Sauron should win and they should rewrite the series so Bilbo dies a miserable death.

Areawoman

You clearly have some serious problems with women, chrisbo. You sound like someone who is repressing and overcompensating for his homoerotic urges. Seek help.

Will Dearborn

What's the point of this if it's false?
DoomCanoe

oh god no
William S.

ANYONE BUT MCAVOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE CHOOSE MARTIN FREEMAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ... Maguire would be ok as Drogo Baggins as a bit part. I don't see him as Bilbo.
Mike

dear God, no.
Xerxex

I like McGuire and all but I can't see him in this role. Wood was cast as Frodo and he was still small time, do the same here. HOLD A CASTING SESSION, find an unknown and all will be copesthetic.
Cmurder

Valerie Atherton, you're an idiot. Elijah Wood did not play Bilbo, he played Frodo.....kill yourself.
Stevo

EMPHATICALLY NO
Stevo

With that said, he could make a decent elf. Possible the Mirkwood Elf King? He has some pretty androgynous moments much like Orlando Bloom and Cate Blanchett. So he'd fit perfectly.
TOMMY

WHATTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PimpSlapStick

I ain't got no problem with Maguire as Bilbo, he already pudgy like one of them hairy footed midgets
PJ H

Look, I absolutely love Toby and I love Del toro. But If they cast Him as bilbo I will never forgive both of them. I've said it before, James Mcavoy would be the best Bilbo.
David

james mcavoy would be really good. and he's got enough street cred as tuff guy and who can do drama. martin freeman looks the part but i don't know he has the acting chops. though i liked him shaun of the dead and hot fuzz tobey's fine as spidey leave it at that. he's not in the elite circle of actors who can play multiple iconic characters in multiple franchises. to william s. i bet you have not seen any of mcavoy's films, you hyp-o-crite
Timothy

No one actor should be both Spiderman and Bilbo. period. I can even see Maguire as being good as Bilbo, but he's too well known.
Florian

no.
Quanah

I don't see why they don't entertain having Elijah Wood play Bilbo. I know that might feel repetitive, but the former Frodo would do better as Bilbo than the former Spiderman. Tobey would do fine I'm sure, but I don't really think folks get a Bilbo sense out of him. He's a good actor. I'll give him that. James MacAvoy is just the obvious choice. I honestly think Jackson needs to throw money at him if that's what it takes. I really don't understand why MacAvoy wouldn't want to play Bilbo. We'll see. I can almost sense the decision is close, and I'm sure Maguire was an intentional leak to see how people would react. If the fans don't really want him, they won't pick him. It's just that simple.
GG

Just because people think Spiderman 3 sucked doesn't mean Tobey Maguire is a bad actor. Can you think of anyone that could have played a nerdy Peter Parker better than him? Not me. I can't stand Elijah Wood, but he made a perfect Frodo. Trust Del Toro.....he'll make the right choice.
Aimee

EW! heck no.
Aimee

LOL @22. I agree. no.
Aimee

LOL @22! I agree. no.
Aimee

oh! Im so sorry, It wasn't posting before. I thought it wasn't working. Sorry! Admins, you can go ahead and delete 25 and 26. =/ sorry!
jake the snake

Tobey would be great in The Hobbit!
Cody

IMDB him if you dont know him but Michael Sheen as Bilbo would be absolutely perfect.
Meatcarnage

Nah, that sounds like bad casting to me. Like I enjoy tobey maguire's acting, but acting and roles are two separate things.
JimD

Actually Tobey McGuire might work. If you think about, he and Elijah Wood almost look like brothers. Tobey being the older brother. I can see some similarities. Mcquire can play different roles other then Spiderman. Have any of you seen him in Brothers?
Kevin

NONONONONONONONONO!!! He's not even fit to play Tobey Maguire...dude's a terrible actor.
Voice of Reason

#2, Tobey didnt ruin Spiderman, it was and always has been Raimi's fault. Never forget that. Although I might not be thrilled about this possibility, in all fairness I could see a decent comparison between Tobeys mug and Ian Holmes' mug making a tighter connection to the two movies, but that'd be just a small part of the prize, if any.
Robbie

JAMES MCAVOY!!!!!!!!
tir na nog

Micheal sheen is a good choice.
Triston

HEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Carlos

This would work wonderfully, I think he's more suited for Bilbo than Peter Parker (even though he does a decent job of that.)
bozo

Ehhh... no. As A hobbit, sure, Bilbo... no.
Six Three

Gracias, pero no gracias, Guillermo.
Dan

I think it would have worked out great. Its funny some of the same people saying TM wouldnt fit as Bilbo are the same ones who thought Heath Ledger wouldnt fit as the Joker how wrong they were on that one. Oh well I guess we will never know. And TM didnt ruin Spiderman, the director did. TM would have worked fine under the direction of GDT and PJ.
Danny

Martin Freeman would be the best choice as far a looks. McAvoy has the talent.
samwisethebrave

oh god no. please no.
harm

I could see Daniel Radcliff or James MaCavoy. I think both actors are talented enough they could pull this off. but after the tempo was set in the LOTR with actors experienced in period acting or character pieces, changing it for a contemporary actor would be odd.
Cineprog

I agree with 4# why not try to get Elijah Wood back from the original Lord of the Rings Tilogy. i don't think Toby Magurie would fit into the roll fo bilbo bagins.
blue & orange ny

@ # 2 Splinter and others who commented the same... Toby didn't ruined the Spider Man franchise, it's the writer's, studio, and director....also MARVEL for not having the balls to taking back their FRANCHISE player back at all cost.....the 4th and 5th should be 110% ran by no other then MARVEL....so please make sense with your comments Regarding Toby as Bilbo, yea I can't seem him in that role. Like I always say, only time will tell.
judasbarron

I don't see anything wrong with Toby. Hell, the guy can cry quicker than any female I know (when it comes to movies, that is). Hell, more so than Elijah Wood! He CAN act so what's the problem?
judasbarron

I don't see anything wrong with Toby. Hell, the guy can cry quicker than any female I know (when it comes to movies, that is). Hell, more so than Elijah Wood! He CAN act so what's the problem?
yendorii

@24 yes, yes I can think of any number of people I'd rather have had play Peter Parker. Someone with a pulse would have been nice I think... Bilbo is too interesting a character to put into the hands of Toby McNopersonality.
yaksemash

When in doubt, go Keanu...
stfu

Woah... No.. *crys*
sullivan gang

well of course i'd see it. that doesn't mean i'd like it. tobey kind of sucks, but spiderman 2 was great even though. no they should give the role to the good doctor, david tennant
sullivan gang

martin freeman would be as good as tennant too
Clark Bullen

Peter Jackson said that he would not mind using an unknown to play Bilbo because Tolkien is the "Real" star, I agree. He also said they would be casting a "wide net" for the part of Bilbo. I hope that is indeed the case as I am an actor who would love the chance to audition for the part of a lifetime!
max s.

#4, Are you nuts Bilbo is Frodo's uncle you idiot Like everybody else I think Tobey is a huge crybaby and think he shouldn't even be in acting If he is in this as the main character this movie is screwed Maybe daniel Radcliffe he's wowed us in Harry Potter let's see him do it with The Hobbit