Cast the First Hobbit

[The Saucepan Man]

Here are some thoughts on casting for <I>The Hobbit</I> that I posted on another thread:<P> <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> Believe me, I would have loved to see Ian Holm play the part. I will always identify him with Bilbo. He has taken the role a number of times, most notably (I think) in the BBC audio version. But he is in his seventies now. And given that Bilbo was 50 years old (the equivalent of 30 in human terms) when he set out with Thorin and company, I just cannot see it working. As for continuity, I am sure that there must be a younger actor with a physical resemblance who could play the role credibly. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P> <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> Mind you, there might be problems in getting actors signed up, given the suffering that John Rhys-Davies went through with the make-up. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P> <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> As for the voice of Smaug, look no further than Alan Rickman (Snipe in Harry Potter for those who don't know him) or Jeremy Irons (the bad lion in the Lion King). <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>