Entertainment Weekly reports Martin Freeman (The Office, Love Actually) is at the top of the list of actors to play Bilbo Baggins in two upcoming The Hobbit films.
The actor turned down the offer because he just finalized a deal to play Dr. Watson in the new BBC series Sherlock Holmes.
However, studio bosses at New Line and MGM really want him for the role. They are looking for a way to accommodate his schedule so Freeman can travel to New Zealand and still shoot the TV series.
A source told Britain’s Daily Express, "It’s hoped something will be worked out. It’s widely felt that Martin is ideal for the role."
In The Lord of the Rings trilogy, the role of Bilbo was played by actor Ian Holm. The Hobbit focuses on the early life of this adventurer, a close friend of the wizard Gandalf.
So negotiations are still underway.
Still no word on who will direct The Hobbit since the departure of Guillermo de Toro. The most likely scenario is that Peter Jackson will step into the director’s chair.
The Hobbit hits theatres in 2012.