According to
The Sun, English actor Martin Freeman has turned down an offer to play Bilbo Baggins in the upcoming big screen adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's
The Hobbit.
The actor is very much committed to his new BBC television series
Sherlock, where he plays Dr. Watson.
Their source had this to say:
"It was one of the most difficult decisions of his career. MGM, who are making the film, only got a formal offer over in the last couple of weeks."
"It was too late for Martin because he had already signed up for another series of Sherlock. It was agonising but he had no other choice."
They also mention that Peter Jackson has arranged more auditions in New York, London and Sydney to find an unknown actor for the lead role in the movie.
"All the actors had to read four pages of script to camera which is being shown to Peter Jackson.He is looking for a hidden gem now Martin has ruled himself out of the job."
As far as the other actors involved in the project, Sir Ian McKellen, Hugo Weaving and Andy Serkis are still attached to reprise their roles in the prequel.
Wolvie: There is no date when will they start shooting the film, since the situation of the MGM is not that great. But hopefully, with all the casting that they mention, there is hope that something will be revealed soon. Stay tuned...