Despite the fact production began some time ago, The Hobbit casting news continues to stream in the same as it does for The Dark Knight Rises as both films appear to be Internet hot buttons as fans can’t get enough. Well, the latest on The Hobbit front was apparently supposed to be a secret as Martin Freeman, who plays the lead role as Bilbo Baggins in the film, revealed backstage at the BAFTA TV awards this weekend that his “Sherlock” co-star Benedict Cumberbatch has secured a role in the film. Problem is, apparently it was supposed to be a secret.
Quoted by the UK’s The Digital Spy Freeman said, “I knew I was a big mouth, I didn’t know how much of a big mouth, and I’ve ruined everything. And now I might not have a job to go back to!” Of course, this is most likely sarcasm considering this isn’t exactly jaw-dropping news. On top of that, the role Cumberbatch will be playing was not revealed.
However, on the character front that hasn’t stopped people from speculating as Russ Fischer at Slash Film writes that Cumberbatch “could well be in line to play Bard the Bowman… one of the last big roles that doesn’t yet have a name attached.” For those, like me, that need a “Hobbit refresher”, Bard is the one that slayed the dragon Smaug with the Black Arrow and one of the kings of Dale. David Tennant (“Doctor Who”) was once rumored for the same role.
This casting is most likely the reason Cumberbatch had to drop out of Joe Wright’s Anna Karenina. He will next be seen in Steven Spielberg’s War Horse and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy for Let the Right One In helmer Tomas Alfredson.
The Hobbit is currently filming in New Zealand under the direction of Peter Jackson with the first installment in the two-part feature scheduled for a December 2012 release.
