The Hobbit (film series) appearing in "The Hobbit" films. In early October 2010, it was confirmed by the studio that Martin Freeman had been cast in the role of Bilbo Baggins. It was revealed that he had earlier been approached by the producers to play a role in the films, but was forced to turn it down because of scheduling conflicts with the BBC television series "Sherlock". At the time, Freeman was quoted as saying, "[I]f something could be worked out, that would be great. I did it [turned down the role] with a heavy heart, definitely." On his casting, Peter Jackson was quoted
Middle-earth in film completed what Bakshi had started with their own animated adaptation of "The Return of the King", based on their own concepts previously applied to their earlier animated adaptation of "The Hobbit". The first live-action film depicting characters and stories of Middle-earth was shown in 1985 in the Soviet Union. "Skazochnoye puteshestviye mistera Bilbo Begginsa Khobbita" () [The Fabulous Journey of Mr. Bilbo Baggins the Hobbit] was a film based on the events of "The Hobbit". Shot in 1984 as a teleplay and produced in the framework of the children's TV series "Tale after Tale" (), it featured actors such as