James McAvoy as Bilbo Baggins? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Knight of Gondor · 05-30-2008, 05:12 PM

Rumor has it that those responsible for putting The Hobbit together all thought of the same person...James McAvoy, the ruddy faun from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and now heart-throbbing his way into other movies as well.

Other actors mentioned were Harry Potter's Daniel Radcliffe and (oh gag) Jack Black.

My problem is that all of these actors are far, far too young for the role.

Your thoughts? Who would YOU cast?

MatthewM · 05-30-2008, 09:32 PM

You're kidding I hope about Jack Black? Surely they can't be serious...

Agreed, I think all of those actors are way too young. I don't rightfully know who I would cast, but it wouldn't be any of those actors.

Knight of Gondor · 05-30-2008, 09:48 PM

Alas that it is not a joke!

http://www.myparkmag.co.uk/articles/...es-mcavoy.html

Sauron the White · 05-31-2008, 06:59 AM

Jack Black has made a very lucrative career out of playing a stereotypical caricature of a Generation X loser. The only really good performance I have ever seen from him - and by that I mean where he was a semi-real person with emotions - was in the Gwyneth Paltrow movie where she was overweight. His miscasting in KONG was perhaps the worst since John Watne attempted to play Genghis Khan and was laughed out of many theaters.

McAvoy may be a tad too young for the part of Bilbo, but he certainly has a hobbitish look to him. It could work if they can put a few pounds and years on him with the aid of make-up.

davem · 05-31-2008, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sauron the White

McAvoy may be a tad too young for the part of Bilbo, but he certainly has a hobbitish look to him. It could work if they can put a few pounds and years on him with the aid of make-up.

Come on - they went for a Frodo who looked about 12. I don't see them going for a middle-aged Bilbo - in spite of Tolkien's Beowulf inspired 'in-joke'......

Sauron the White · 05-31-2008, 08:12 AM

Does this not raise the oft asked question about the real age of hobbits compared to human actors given Tolkiens description of the period of their "tweens" and other such descriptors?

Saying Wood looked about 12 is a gross exaggeration.

Nazgûl-king · 05-31-2008, 10:30 AM

I think MacAvoy would do a good job as Bilbo, I think he has the right kind of look for a Hobbit. Though it might be better for continuity sake to get someone who looks more like Ian Holm, though they might be able to make MacAvoy look that way with makeup and such.

Lalaith · 05-31-2008, 11:25 AM

Whatever Bilbo's age, in the Hobbit he is an odd combination of a confirmed bachelor and a childlike figure - carried around on piggy-back by the dwarves when he gets tired and so on - so he should have an air of vulnerability. I think in that case they could do a lot worse than McAvoy.
I can't remember the bloke from Six Feet Under, I'll have a look.

But I really couldn't be having with Wood as Frodo. He was way *too* child-like and vulnerable, even for a Shire halfling, and besides which, LotR Frodo was not really much like Bilbo in the Hobbit.

Lush · 05-31-2008, 12:08 PM

McAvoy is brilliant. I might never look at Bilbo the same way again... but I also might not care.

I think it would be a great choice.

Girl in the Grass · 05-31-2008, 01:08 PM

I've never seen Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe but I have seen McAvoy in Atonement and he did a really good job in it. Judging from his acting abilities in that movie, it seems like he would be an alright choice for TH. Jack Black? I just hope they aren't serious...they would probably get the same response from fans that they did when Arwen was supposed to show up at Helm's Deep.

Morthoron · 05-31-2008, 01:26 PM

I despise Jack Black. No, let me take that back -- despising someone means you actually cared about the individual on some level at some time. I do not care for Jack Black.

mark12_30 · 05-31-2008, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lush

McAvoy is brilliant. I might never look at Bilbo the same way again... but I also might not care.

I think it would be a great choice.

My dear Lush, how good-- how very good!-- it is to see you again. I do hope all is quite well with you.

So you think McAvoy would be worth choosing. I shall reconsider...

Hmmm. Bilbo Tumnus Baggins. Biltum Baggins. Bilbo Tumbaggins.

I'm just not feeling it, you know?

Biltum Bagnus. Tumbo Nussgins.

Augh. I just can't. And not for want of trying. Can he be made up to look like Bilian Holmgins, do you think?

Holbytlass · 05-31-2008, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lalaith

Whatever Bilbo's age, in the Hobbit he is an odd combination of a confirmed bachelor and a childlike figure - carried around on piggy-back by the dwarves when he gets tired and so on - so he should have an air of vulnerability.

A good movie to see of Mcavoy's acting both strong and vulnerablility is "I'm dancing inside" aka "Rory O'Shea was here".

05-30-2008, 05:12 PM	#1
Knight of Gondor Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Kentucky Posts: 744	James McAvoy as Bilbo Baggins? Rumor has it that those responsible for putting The Hobbit together all thought of the same person...James McAvoy, the ruddy faun from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and now heart-throbbing his way into other movies as well. Other actors mentioned were Harry Potter's Daniel Radcliffe and (oh gag) Jack Black. My problem is that all of these actors are far, far too young for the role. Your thoughts? Who would YOU cast? __________________ Eagerly awaiting the REAL Return of the King - Jesus Christ! Revelation 19:11-16

05-30-2008, 09:32 PM	#2
MatthewM Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New York Posts: 627	You're kidding I hope about Jack Black? Surely they can't be serious... Agreed, I think all of those actors are way too young. I don't rightfully know who I would cast, but it wouldn't be any of those actors. __________________ "Loud and clear it sounds in the valleys of the hills...and then let all the foes of Gondor flee!" -Boromir, The Fellowship of the Ring

05-30-2008, 09:48 PM	#3
Knight of Gondor Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Kentucky Posts: 744	Alas that it is not a joke! http://www.myparkmag.co.uk/articles/...es-mcavoy.html __________________ Eagerly awaiting the REAL Return of the King - Jesus Christ! Revelation 19:11-16

05-31-2008, 11:25 AM	#8
Lalaith Blithe Spirit Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,790	Whatever Bilbo's age, in the Hobbit he is an odd combination of a confirmed bachelor and a childlike figure - carried around on piggy-back by the dwarves when he gets tired and so on - so he should have an air of vulnerability. I think in that case they could do a lot worse than McAvoy. I can't remember the bloke from Six Feet Under, I'll have a look. But I really couldn't be having with Wood as Frodo. He was way too child-like and vulnerable, even for a Shire halfling, and besides which, LotR Frodo was not really much like Bilbo in the Hobbit. __________________ Out went the candle, and we were left darkling

05-31-2008, 12:08 PM	#9
Lush Fair and Cold Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: the big onion Posts: 1,783	McAvoy is brilliant. I might never look at Bilbo the same way again... but I also might not care. I think it would be a great choice. __________________ ~The beginning is the word and the end is silence. And in between are all the stories. This is one of mine~

05-31-2008, 06:59 AM	#4
Sauron the White Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 903	Jack Black has made a very lucrative career out of playing a stereotypical caricature of a Generation X loser. The only really good performance I have ever seen from him - and by that I mean where he was a semi-real person with emotions - was in the Gwyneth Paltrow movie where she was overweight. His miscasting in KONG was perhaps the worst since John Watne attempted to play Genghis Khan and was laughed out of many theaters. McAvoy may be a tad too young for the part of Bilbo, but he certainly has a hobbitish look to him. It could work if they can put a few pounds and years on him with the aid of make-up.

05-31-2008, 08:12 AM	#6
Sauron the White Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 903	Does this not raise the oft asked question about the real age of hobbits compared to human actors given Tolkiens description of the period of their "tweens" and other such descriptors? Saying Wood looked about 12 is a gross exaggeration.

05-31-2008, 10:30 AM	#7
Nazgûl-king Wight Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 104	I think MacAvoy would do a good job as Bilbo, I think he has the right kind of look for a Hobbit. Though it might be better for continuity sake to get someone who looks more like Ian Holm, though they might be able to make MacAvoy look that way with makeup and such.

05-31-2008, 01:08 PM	#10
Girl in the Grass Pile O'Bones Join Date: May 2008 Location: canadialand! Posts: 11	I've never seen Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe but I have seen McAvoy in Atonement and he did a really good job in it. Judging from his acting abilities in that movie, it seems like he would be an alright choice for TH. Jack Black? I just hope they aren't serious...they would probably get the same response from fans that they did when Arwen was supposed to show up at Helm's Deep. __________________ The best things around that I have ever seen came from small towns, and big dreams.

05-31-2008, 01:26 PM	#11
Morthoron Curmudgeonly Wordwraith Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Ensconced in curmudgeonly pursuits Posts: 2,504	I despise Jack Black. No, let me take that back -- despising someone means you actually cared about the individual on some level at some time. I do not care for Jack Black. __________________ And your little sister's immaculate virginity wings away on the bony shoulders of a young horse named George who stole surreptitiously into her geography revision.