Director Peter Jackson announced that British actor Martin Freeman will play Bilbo Baggins in the upcoming two-film adaptation of ‘The Hobbit’. Freeman is best known as Tim Canterbury in the original BBC version of ‘The Office’ as well as the films ‘Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy’ and ‘Hot Fuzz’.
It was also announced that Richard Armitage will portray Thorin Oakenshield, the leader of the Company of Dwarves. Armitage has starred in the British TV series ‘MI-5’ and ‘Robin Hood’.
Other actors joining the ensemble cast are Aidan Turner, Graham McTavish, John Callen, Stephen Hunter, Mark Hadlow and Peter Hambleton.
Ian McKellen, who starred in the original ‘Lord of the Rings’, is expected to return as Gandalf the Grey.
Filming is expected to start in February 2011, with the first film released in December 2012.