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EW Exclusive: Don't count Freeman Out
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News from Bree
spymaster@theonering.net

Sep 8 2010, 12:54pm

Post #1 of 49 (3110 views)
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EW Exclusive: Don't count Freeman Out Can't Post



EW.com comes through today with an update to the Martin Freeman story...
Yesterday, the British newspaper The Sun ran a story saying that Martin Freeman (a.k.a. Tim from the original U.K. Office) had to decline an offer (and seven-figure payday) to play Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson's Hobbit movies due to a scheduling conflict: The actor was already committed to shoot the BBC series Sherlock, in which he plays Dr. Watson. That's all true, but according to sources close to the Hobbit production, it's not over yet. New Line and MGM, the studios backing the Hobbit films, have since come back to Freeman with a proposed schedule that would allow him to shoot both projects. All parties are currently negotiating a deal.

[Read More]

(This post was edited by Silverlode on Sep 8 2010, 11:53pm)


deej
Dor-Lomin


Sep 8 2010, 6:32pm

Post #2 of 49 (2013 views)
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This gives me hope! [In reply to] Can't Post

Martin Freeman has been my first choice for Bilbo for quite some time, and I hope everyone is able to make it work out.


"...and back again."



Pipe Dream
Mithlond


Sep 8 2010, 6:41pm

Post #3 of 49 (1960 views)
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Cool. More Delays! [In reply to] Can't Post

Just don't take too long to seal the deal. I'm happy with their choice if he plays Bilbo. I think he has that twitchy nervous Ian Holm kinda' energy to make it all work.

Photobucket

Pre-Pre-production goes ever on and on...


Uruk-Hai
Lindon


Sep 8 2010, 6:59pm

Post #4 of 49 (1898 views)
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Make it so, Number One! [In reply to] Can't Post

If this happens, MGM, I'll start watching James Bond movies, again.Wink


Eruonen
Gondolin

Sep 8 2010, 7:01pm

Post #5 of 49 (1916 views)
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But, at least now we are actually talking about some progress.... [In reply to] Can't Post

At least there is a flicker of life...a small flame...beneath the mountains of debt paper that have to be consumed.
In the other thread re Spyglass -MGM there is some small news of Birnbaum and Barber signing a "non-binding" agreement to act as co-CEOs of MGM.


(This post was edited by Eruonen on Sep 8 2010, 7:01pm)


Ruijor
Nargothrond


Sep 8 2010, 7:06pm

Post #6 of 49 (1876 views)
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Not all those who wander are lost... [In reply to] Can't Post

get him no matter what and hurry up with it!


Evernight
Ossiriand


Sep 8 2010, 7:06pm

Post #7 of 49 (1874 views)
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Excellent news! [In reply to] Can't Post

At least for those who want Freeman in the role, as I do.

In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit...


LordotRings93
Nargothrond


Sep 8 2010, 7:07pm

Post #8 of 49 (1917 views)
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Yes!! [In reply to] Can't Post

I really hope he accepts it. Freeman looks just like a younger Ian Holm. The fanboy in me is jumping about, hoping this will be true, as he was my first choice for Bilbo since the beginning.

The HUGEST Lord of the Rings fan ever!
Owner of all Lord of the Rings merchandise.
"I know what I must do. It's just... I'm afraid to do it."


Tiria
Nevrast

Sep 8 2010, 7:35pm

Post #9 of 49 (1828 views)
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I still think he's too dour for a Hobbit, but I can live with this. // [In reply to] Can't Post

 


LoremIpsum
Menegroth

Sep 8 2010, 7:43pm

Post #10 of 49 (1926 views)
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First choice not always the best [In reply to] Can't Post

Imagine if we got Sean Connery instead of Sir Ian as Gandalf....


Pipe Dream
Mithlond


Sep 8 2010, 8:15pm

Post #11 of 49 (1842 views)
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Or Tom Selleck instead of Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones? [In reply to] Can't Post

I wasn't for Freeman at first until I began to watch more of his work. I feel he's got a quirkiness about him that is Ian Holm Bilbo-ishy? He definitely looks the part, he has the accent, and must have out auditioned everybody else or they wouldn't have offered him the role. That in and of itself should say something about the guy, right?

Photobucket

Pre-Pre-production goes ever on and on...

(This post was edited by Pipe Dream on Sep 8 2010, 8:16pm)


duats
Hithlum

Sep 8 2010, 10:02pm

Post #12 of 49 (1769 views)
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I really hope this pans out [In reply to] Can't Post

Freeman's been my primary choice for the last three years. It kills me how there are people out there who believe he lacks the charisma and screen presence for a leading role like this. I think he'd be perfect.


Voorhas
Menegroth


Sep 8 2010, 10:06pm

Post #13 of 49 (1760 views)
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Right [In reply to] Can't Post

Freeman's not a typical "action hero" type, but neither is Bilbo Baggins...that's sort of the whole point!


Elladan
Ossiriand

Sep 8 2010, 10:11pm

Post #14 of 49 (1813 views)
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At the risk of being unpopular [In reply to] Can't Post

I am genuinely irked by this, I just dont see him as Bilbo, curse the Sun getting my hopes up that he was out of the running. Tbh I am actually surprised, despite all the positive fan following, I honestly never thought he would even be considered, perhaps I have missed some little gem of a part some where in his career but everything I have seen him in he has been mediocre, never bad but nothing to write home about.

I guess I just hoped for a brilliant unknown to pinch the part.


duats
Hithlum

Sep 8 2010, 10:19pm

Post #15 of 49 (1779 views)
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Well [In reply to] Can't Post

Some actors go years before they stumble upon a role that redefines their careers. Hugh Laurie has Dr. House. John McGinley has Dr. Cox. Jon Hamm has Don Draper. Just because Freeman hasn't stumbled upon that one role yet doesn't mean he's not up to the task.

As a Freeman fan, I will be the first to admit that he filmography is not that impressive. Not to say he's not talented, but his most recent roles haven't given him much to work with. But I've seen evidence of his talent. And a role like this would truly do him wonders to show people what he's got.

Here's a clip from The UK Office that I particularly like.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CrYUlZIG8s


(This post was edited by duats on Sep 8 2010, 10:22pm)


mordor89
Nevrast

Sep 8 2010, 10:22pm

Post #16 of 49 (1758 views)
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no subject [In reply to] Can't Post

IT HAS TO BE IAN HOLM DAMNIT





duats
Hithlum

Sep 8 2010, 10:26pm

Post #17 of 49 (1805 views)
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Okay... [In reply to] Can't Post

http://www.imdb.com/...3841235200/nm0000453

That's Ian Holm...

THREE YEARS ago.

It is absolutely, positively, 100% not feasible to bring him back for the role.


(This post was edited by duats on Sep 8 2010, 10:26pm)


Elladan
Ossiriand

Sep 8 2010, 10:28pm

Post #18 of 49 (1760 views)
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Hugh Laurie defined by House? Really. [In reply to] Can't Post


In Reply To
Some actors go years before they stumble upon a role that redefines their careers. Hugh Laurie has Dr. House. John McGinley has Dr. Cox. Jon Hamm has Don Draper. Just because Freeman hasn't stumbled upon that one role yet doesn't mean he's not up to the task.

As a Freeman fan, I will be the first to admit that he filmography is not that impressive. Not to say he's not talented, but his most recent roles haven't given him much to work with. But I've seen evidence of his talent. And a role like this would truly do him wonders to show people what he's got.

Here's a clip from The UK Office that I particularly like.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CrYUlZIG8s


You must be American, though that still doesnt explain how you can pass over Black Adder, and Jeeves and Wooster. Anyway ignoring my reverence for Mr Laurie I can see your point. Though I could not bring myself to watch the clip ou linked unfortunately I absolutely detest the Office, probably stemming from my near hatred of Ricky Gervais.


Pipe Dream
Mithlond


Sep 8 2010, 10:34pm

Post #19 of 49 (1781 views)
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Can you see him as Bilbo now? [In reply to] Can't Post


Quote
I am genuinely irked by this, I just dont see him as Bilbo


Wink



-Minus the wig of course.

Photobucket

Pre-Pre-production goes ever on and on...

(This post was edited by Pipe Dream on Sep 8 2010, 10:35pm)


Ataahua
Forum Admin / Moderator


Sep 8 2010, 10:35pm

Post #20 of 49 (1726 views)
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I have to agree with duats here. [In reply to] Can't Post

I'm a Blackadder fan, but when I think of Hugh Laurie I think of House first - and I'm a Kiwi. Good on you for having other references to Laurie though, as he's a fantastic entertainer with a lot of range to him.

Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..."
Dwarves: "Pretty rings..."
Men: "Pretty rings..."
Sauron: "Mine's better."

"Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded b*****d with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak.


Ataahua's stories


duats
Hithlum

Sep 8 2010, 10:37pm

Post #21 of 49 (1724 views)
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Haha fair enough [In reply to] Can't Post

How about this from BBC's Sherlock?

http://www.youtube.com/...&feature=related


CINE
Nevrast


Sep 8 2010, 10:37pm

Post #22 of 49 (1757 views)
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Grocer Turned Burglar [In reply to] Can't Post

I dunno, there's just something about this guy that's Bilbo (and an uncanny continuity with Ian Holm).

There's that scene near the beginning of The Hobbit where Bilbo becomes panicked at the dangerous plotting being discussed by the dwarves, and involuntarily lets out a high-pitched scream like a teapot. Of all the possible Bilbo actor names bandied about the last couple of years, I've always had Freeman as my mental image of that Bilbo teapot-screech scene. Laugh

(Casting director to actor in audition session): "Now, yes, if you could please let out the most high-pitched scream for us, that would be terrific. Also, we'd like you to yell the words "Attercop" and "Tomnoddy."


(This post was edited by CINE on Sep 8 2010, 10:40pm)


Elladan
Ossiriand

Sep 8 2010, 10:39pm

Post #23 of 49 (1817 views)
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Skillful photo shoping there [In reply to] Can't Post

Sarcasm aside its beter than the suns attempt at Toby Maguire as Bilbo. Smile.

I think it depends very much on his ability to match his manerisms to Ian Holms Bilbo, or the difference between the 2 will be jarring. Lets face it once you have a big curly wig on and pointy ears a great many people would look the part, gaina bit of weight and a prosthetic nose, and appearance is almost irelevant when looking for the right actor.

I did however enjoy Sherlock Holmes, whilst my general opinion of Freeman was developed long before that arrived. I still maintain a preference for Michael Sheen though.


(This post was edited by Elladan on Sep 8 2010, 10:44pm)


mordor89
Nevrast

Sep 8 2010, 10:40pm

Post #24 of 49 (1721 views)
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does [In reply to] Can't Post

"you havent aged a day" ring any bells





duats
Hithlum

Sep 8 2010, 10:44pm

Post #25 of 49 (1706 views)
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It does [In reply to] Can't Post


In Reply To
"you havent aged a day" ring any bells


Of course, I never took Gandalf as literally meaning, "Bilbo, you honestly look like a carbon copy of yourself from 60 years ago." I merely took that line as Gandalf meaning that Bilbo still looked very young for his age. It's just a manner of speech.

But that may just be me lol.


(This post was edited by duats on Sep 8 2010, 10:45pm)

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