"I honestly don’t feel that pressure, no," the actor told
Total Film when asked about the high expectations that come with taking on an iconic role such as that of Bilbo Baggins.
"I really, really don’t. Of course, it is Bilbo’s journey, but I didn’t write it. I’m not directing it… It’s not my film. It’s Peter’s film."
As you may already know, Freeman very nearly missed out on the role because of his commitment to BBC's
Sherlock.
"I was sad but I thought, 'I’ll just hate whoever plays Bilbo'," he joked.
"The hardest thing is staying ‘up’ and peppy when you’re covered in snot or mud, day after day… I’m sure there’s more to come. So far, what we’ve filmed has been more comic than heavy. I keep asking Pete [Jackson], ‘When are we going heavy?’ He assures me it’s coming!"
To hear more from the actor, be sure to click on the link below and pick up the magazine when it goes on sale later this month. Filming is currently taking place and
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is scheduled to be released on December 14, 2012.
UPDATE: Warner Bros. has today confirmed that the first teaser trailer for the movie will be released online at 7pm PST on Tuesday, December 20th.