Martin Freeman, famously known for his roles in “Sherlock” and “The Hobbit,” recently made an appearance on The Jonathan Ross Show, where he opened up about nearly losing his iconic role as Bilbo Baggins.
During the chat show, Freeman discussed how he was initially contracted to work on “Sherlock” and faced a scheduling conflict when he was offered the role in “The Hobbit.” He explained that there came a point when he had to make a difficult decision and say goodbye to the opportunity to portray Bilbo.
Freeman described feeling deeply gutted about having to let go of such a significant role, especially considering the popularity and literary legacy of J.R.R. Tolkien’s work. However, fate seemed to be on his side when news broke that Peter Jackson, the director of “The Hobbit” trilogy, had rearranged the schedule in New Zealand to accommodate Freeman’s availability.
The pressure and emotional turmoil that Freeman experienced during that time were undeniable. However, receiving a call from Peter Jackson, who expressed his desire to wait five months for Freeman to join the project, was gratifying and showed just how much he was wanted.
For an actor, having someone show that level of confidence and conviction in their abilities can be a rare occurrence. Freeman acknowledged the uniqueness of the situation, realizing that projects of such massive scale are not easily adjusted or postponed.
The talk show also touched on the intense security surrounding the filming of “The Hobbit.” With extraordinary workshops producing remarkable objects, one set, in particular, caught Freeman’s attention. It was a mountain of gold coins made by the skilled craftsmen at Weta Workshop.
As Freeman reminisced, he also mentioned a memorable moment with Ian McKellen, who portrayed Gandalf in the films. McKellen invited a group of the cast over for brunch, but what surprised Freeman was what he found in the kitchen drawer – a stash of gold coins from the film set.
The conversation between Freeman and Ross on The Jonathan Ross Show highlighted the roller coaster of emotions that actors experience in their careers. From the low of potentially losing an iconic role to the joy of being wanted and having a project rearranged for them, Freeman’s journey with “The Hobbit” showcased both the challenges and rewards of working in the entertainment industry.
It is evident that Martin Freeman‘s portrayal of Bilbo Baggins in “The Hobbit” trilogy will forever be remembered as a remarkable contribution to the iconic fantasy franchise.
