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Wellington - British actor Martin Freeman, best known for his role in the TV series The Office, will play the lead role of Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit, director Peter Jackson said on Friday.
While the production's shooting location remains uncertain because of an industrial dispute in New Zealand, Jackson said he was pleased to confirm Freeman in the starring role.
The Oscar-winning director said Freeman was always his first choice to play the J.R.R. Tolkien character.
"Despite the various rumours and speculation surrounding this role, there has only ever been one Bilbo Baggins for us," Jackson said in a statement.
"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.
"He is intelligent, funny, surprising and brave - exactly like Bilbo."
Freeman, 39, rose to prominence in the Ricky Gervais comedy The Office and has also featured in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Love Actually and Shaun of the Dead.
The Hobbit, a two-part prequel to The Lord of the Rings, received a studio green light last Saturday and will begin filming in 3D next February.
