Sir Ian McKellen returns [as Gandalf] to the big screen in The Hobbit film

Telegraph.uk ^ | 25/05/2008 | Nick Squires

[randomhero97]

Please add me to the ping list. Thanks.

[ccmay]

By making it more of a prequel to LotR, they could then put out a 5-movie boxed set in Blu-Ray

I can't wait. I just got a Blu-Ray and a 1080p 61" screen. It is just staggering how good HD can be.

-ccm

[Admin Moderator]

Lose the tagline. Thanks.

[Charles Henrickson]

other characters have yet to be decided.

I suppose you folks in the Hobbit Hole have discussed casting already, but the guy I would like to see cast as Bilbo is James McAvoy. I think he'd be perfect. But he may not want to do it after playing Mr. Tumnus in Narnia and being a hot property after Atonement.

[HairOfTheDog]

I’ve seen him mentioned for Bilbo. He is very hobbity.

We haven’t discussed a LOT of casting issues... mostly just figuring out which actors might return. Aragorn, even for some bit parts... Legolas too I hope could come back, just to give the continuity to the whole series.

[SuziQ]

By making it more of a prequel to LotR, they could then put out a 5-movie boxed set in Blu-Ray

That works for me!

[SuziQ]

I really don't see why Ian Holm couldn't come back as Bilbo, if he wanted to do it. In the flashbacks in the Trilogy, Ian Holm is wearing a wig that's slightly darker, but, at the beginning of the Fellowship of the Ring, when Bilbo opens the door, Gandalf hugs him, then says, with a curious tone, "You haven't aged a day!"

So, if at the beginning of the trilogy, Bilbo looks the same age as at the end of the Hobbit, because of the effect of the One Ring, I don't see why Ian Holm couldn't play him. The filmakers could 'age' him slowly through the Hobbit, to match with the younger, then older Bilbo in the Trilogy.

[Hyzenthlay]

I agree he’d make a great hobbit, and isn’t he going to be in Wanted with Angelina Jolie, too?

As far as other actors go, I read on Ain’t it Cool News (I think that was the site) the other day that Viggo Mortensen had already been signed for The Hobbit, along with Ian McKellen and Andy Serkis. I can see cameos with Orlando Bloom and Liv Tyler happening, since Legolas and Arwen could easily be ‘background’ people in quite a few different places. I don’t think Ian Holm could work as Bilbo, because Frodo and Bilbo were the same age when they went on their respective adventures, and the books seem to imply that Gandalf at least visited Bilbo a few times afterwards.

[Charles Henrickson]

Ian Holm is a wonderful actor, but he is now 76, and would be 77-78 during filming. That’s even significantly older than when they were filming LOTR. I don’t think it would work. The movie audience would expect a Bilbo like unto the Frodo they saw. I vote for James McAvoy if he is available and wants to do it.

[SuziQ]

I do like James McEvoy, and he’d be fine, if he’d do it! He may not mind the ‘fantasy’ aspect of it, especially since he must know it will be a HUGH success.

[Corin Stormhands]

Good luck with any new movies for this loser.

Thanks. He'll probably make bazillions.