Tribute.ca presents The Hobbit
The Hobbit - Presented by Tribute > News > Andy Serkis calls Martin Freeman “brilliant”

Andy Serkis calls Martin Freeman “brilliant”


Martin Freeman had some mighty big shoes to fill when he took over the mantle from Ian Holm as the younger version of Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson‘s upcoming Hobbit trilogy. But by all reports, he’s doing a perfectly fine job. Andy Serkis – who plays both the villainous Gollum as well as acts as […]

Martin Freeman had some mighty big shoes to fill when he took over the mantle from Ian Holm as the younger version of Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson‘s upcoming Hobbit trilogy. But by all reports, he’s doing a perfectly fine job. Andy Serkis – who plays both the villainous Gollum as well as acts as second unit director for the films – seems particularly pleased with the performance. “You just don’t know what you are going to get,” Serkis told NZCity. “Yet he’s brilliant at taking direction. There’s a rhythm that one works with Martin. He likes to try it his way and then you start saying, ‘What about this?’ When he gets it, it’s gold. And it’s so totally Bilbo.” Freeman himself also chimed in, talking specifically about the ways in which he was differing the character from his original incarnation. “He’s lighter, I would say,” the actor explains. “For black-and-white purposes he’s more comic. It’s a more comedic … journey.” But the Sherlock actor is well aware of the kind of attitude it takes to step into a beloved role. “It’s a well loved character,” he says, regarding how much leeway he had with the character, “so don’t mess with it too much.” The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey kicks off the trilogy on December 14th. ~Devin Garabedian

Comments: