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
Early American editions of The Hobbit this is "not" the order the maps appear, but, rather, the order stated in the List of Illustrations. In all first editions the Wilderland map appears as the front paste-down. ††Earliest confirmed date as seen in publisher's records, owner's inscriptions, or library stamps. Tolkien began work on "The Lord of the Rings" in the years after "The Hobbit's" publication. As the story evolved, Tolkien realized he needed to change how Bilbo and Gollum interacted in "The Hobbit" to suit the plot of "The Lord of the Rings". Allen & Unwin prepared a new edition of "The Hobbit" for release in