The Hobbit (film series) as saying, "Despite the various rumours and speculation surrounding this role, there has only ever been one Bilbo Baggins for us. There are a few times in your career when you come across an actor who you know was born to play a role, but that was the case as soon as I met Martin Freeman. He is intelligent, funny, surprising and brave—exactly like Bilbo and I feel incredibly proud to be able to announce that he is our Hobbit." Later in October, it was revealed that several other cast members had joined the project, including Richard Armitage as Thorin
Works inspired by J. R. R. Tolkien (1980); earlier they had made a TV animation of "The Hobbit" (1977). "The Lord of the Rings" was adapted as a trilogy of films (2001–03), directed by Peter Jackson. "The Hobbit" was also adapted as a trilogy (2012–14), with some elements adapted from "The Return of the King"'s Appendices. The split of Tolkien's works between Tolkien Enterprises and the Tolkien Estate means that none of the Tolkien Enterprises' products can include source material from outside "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings", and therefore a film or stage version of "The Silmarillion" is highly unlikely. Comparisons have been made