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
Frodo Baggins Bilbo in the same company's adaptation of "The Hobbit". In the 1981 BBC radio serial of "The Lord of the Rings", Frodo is played by Ian Holm, who later played Bilbo in Peter Jackson's film adaptation of "The Lord of the Rings". In the 1993 television miniseries "Hobitit" by Finnish broadcaster Yle, Frodo is played by Taneli Mäkelä. In "The Lord of the Rings" film trilogy (2001-2003) directed by Peter Jackson, Frodo is played by American actor Elijah Wood. Dan Timmons writes in the Mythopoeic Society's "Tolkien on Film: Essays on Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings" (Mythopoeic Press,