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Is Peter Parker heading to the Shire?
Well, seeing how it doesn't seem possible for one guy to play two of the most beloved genre characters of the past 100 years, rumors that Tobey Maguire, who plays Peter Parker/Spider-Man in Sam Raimi's superhero film series, might be in the running to play Bilbo Baggins in the upcoming two-part film version of The Hobbit may be a little hard to swallow.
Yet that's exactly what Latino Review says might be going down, based upon a hint that Maguire would be working on a movie with The Hobbit director Guillermo del Toro "in the near future." Latino Review further claims that Maguire's agency is indeed in talks to have the Brothers star appear as the brave little hobbit Bilbo.
Now, this certainly is interesting. But given that Maguire is slated to star in a fourth and fifth Spider-Man movie, and given that the Peter Jackson-produced adaptation of Tolkien's The Hobbit is scheduled to be two effects-heavy, epic, sprawling pictures, the logistics of scheduling and just plain old exhaustion that Maguire is likely to face make this rumor worthy of a big lump of salt.
What do you think? Could Maguire pull off playing Bilbo?
By amalthia at 3:29 PM ON 12/15/09
I don't care who plays Bilbo as long as they bring back Ian McKellan for Gandalf.
By soup1578 at 3:42 PM ON 12/15/09
whoever is in the movie it's gonna be great. But Ian McKellan will be nice.
By Shovel_bum at 3:48 PM ON 12/15/09
His accent will be even more laughable than Sean Astins. He's got the face for it, though.
By whitehall at 3:48 PM ON 12/15/09
Is it possible instead that Guillermo del Toro is being recruited for the Robotech instead?
By mlbkrb at 3:50 PM ON 12/15/09
Doubt this would happen. Peter Jackson is known for bring in unknown actors in such roles.
By whitehall at 3:50 PM ON 12/15/09
Is it possible instead that Guillermo del Toro is being recruited for the Robotech franchise instead?
By Ginger at 4:00 PM ON 12/15/09
Really dont want to see Tobey in this role. Cant stand the Spidey movies, dont want the Bilbo movies to suck too. Come on Guillermo...
By busterduke at 4:15 PM ON 12/15/09
“Peter Jackson is known for bring in unknown actors in such roles.” - mlbkrb
And you got this idea from where exactly? Let’s take a look at all the unknowns that Peter Jackson “known for bringing in to such roles” with such roles obviously meaning leading roles.
“Lord of the Rings”
Ian McKellen, Christopher Lee, Ian Holm, Cate Blanchett, Sean Astin, Elijah Woods, Viggo Mortensen, John Rhys-Davies, Liv Tyler
“The Lovely Bones”
Susan Sarandon, Stanley Tucci, Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz
“King Kong”
Jack Black, Naomi Watts & Adrian Brody
How about we go way back to one of his earlier films.
“The Frighteners”
Michael J. Fox , Jeffery Combs
Yep, a lot of unknowns there.
By Lindane at 4:16 PM ON 12/15/09
Thinking about it; Rings had some really terrible acting. Liv Tyler made me cringe in virtually every seen she was in.
So with that in mind, I don't see why Tobey wouldn't fit right in.
Here's hoping for a Ron Perlman cameo, however!
By mmarus at 5:02 PM ON 12/15/09
Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
Please no.... seriously he is bad enough as Peter Parker, please he can't ruin Bilbo.
Although I SERIOUSLY doubt this would happen, as Mr Jackson is really good at casting, and as mlbkrb states, he would probably pick an unknown or not so well known person for the role.
I just think of emo Tobey in Spiderman 3 and i cringe....
By chris at 5:22 PM ON 12/15/09
I think it would be a wonderful achievement for Maguire. I'm just excited that they are making The Hobbit. I'm a huge Maguire fan so if he is slated to do it I'll certainly see the movie. Of course I'll go see it no matter who's in it, but I think it would be splendid to see his performance as the lovable hobbit.
By shadow at 5:28 PM ON 12/15/09
Spider-hobbit, Spider-hobbit
Does whatever a hobbit can
Spins a web, limited size
Catches Ringwraiths, just like flies
Look out! Here comes the Spider-hobbit!
Is he weak? Listen, Bud!
He's got hobbit active blood.
Can he swing from a rope?
Take a look overhead.
Hey there, there goes the Spider-hobbit!
In the chill of night,
At the scene of a orc fight
Like a sword of light
He arrives just not in time
Spider-hobbit, Spider-hobbit
Friendly shirehood Spider-hobbit
Wealth and fame, he is not
Action is all he's really got
To him, life is so @$^#-up
Wherever there's a throw-up
You'll find the Spider-hobbit!
By SgtMug at 5:41 PM ON 12/15/09
I wish Jackson was directing "The Hobbit". Tobey McGuire would be ok, but they could do better. I hope that Guillermo del Toro keeps the same style that Peter Jackson did with LOTR.
By coolman13355 at 5:52 PM ON 12/15/09
@busterduke You forgot Orlando Bloom on Lord of the Rings
By FresnoTimeLord at 6:03 PM ON 12/15/09
David Tennant as Bilbo!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By xdeathknightx at 6:39 PM ON 12/15/09
Didn't mind him in the Spiderman movies, just wonder if he's not too young. If I remember correctly he wasn't really that young when he started his adventure.
And I have to agree Ian McKellan for Gandalf, and seeing they will also do the fight against the necromancer (sauron in weak form) with Saruman the white leading the council of wizards they should get Christopher Lee back as well.
By 13th Cylon at 7:37 PM ON 12/15/09
@FresnoTimeLord - Hmmmm David Tennant? You might have something there... I think he could do a damn good job as Bilbo. And I think his dance card has kinda opened up. I wonder if Peter Jackson reads this blog. LOL
By Zaphod at 8:12 PM ON 12/15/09
If this is true, I'll be rooting for Smaug.
By KC at 8:32 PM ON 12/15/09
>David Tennant as Bilbo!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good lord no - too tall - too skinny! I cant see Maguire as Blibo either - too wiry.
By wahoojedi at 10:27 PM ON 12/15/09
I'm sold on Tennant as Bilbo! He's an inspired choice (excellent idea). Let's get an online campaign started, pronto! "Who's bad?"
By santa barbara scifi fan at 11:12 PM ON 12/15/09
I prefer James McAlvoy the most. David Tennant if a very interesting suggestion. I would be dissapointed in Tobey Maguire.
By santa barbara scifi fan at 11:13 PM ON 12/15/09
I prefer James McAlvoy the most. David Tennant if a very interesting suggestion. I would be dissapointed in Tobey Maguire.
By Cyrus at 12:09 AM ON 12/16/09
if Biblo "hasn't aged a day" how can Toby McGuire (or even James McAlvoy) possibly pass for Ian Holms?
By SethSJ at 12:26 PM ON 12/16/09
Did anyone hear the rumor that Guillermo del Toro may replace now fired Peter Berg as Director of Frank Herbert's "DUNE"?
By QDonQ at 12:56 PM ON 12/16/09
Cyrus
I have never been able to tell the difference between Toby McGuire and Elijah Woods. Maybe that's what they are going for...
By JordRS at 4:51 PM ON 12/16/09
Bilbo simply MUST be played by Martin Freeman.
A relative unknown, English, a fine actor and the spitting image of a young Ian Holm!
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JordRS:
Bilbo simply MUST be played by Martin Freeman. A relative unknown, English, a fine actor and the spitting image of...More »