Rumor: Former Time Lord the new Bilbo?

It was reported earlier this week that despite The Hobbit not yet green-lit and having no director, that Peter Jackson was going ahead with casting. And it seems he may have found his actor to portray Bilbo Baggins in the films. According to a tweet (via Bleeding Cool) by Screen Rush, Sylvester McCoy, from Dr. Who, has been cast in The Hobbit.

The actor was reportedly the second option to be cast as Bilbo in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, but lost the role to Ian Holm. The actor wasn’t given an audition, nor was he offered the role. He was just cast. Screenrush was contacted, and supposedly confirmed the casting by a friend of McCoy. Of course, the “friend” could have lied about the casting, or was mistaken.

The only truth to this is that Jackson is doing a international casting tour, but the fact that McCoy was just handed the job is what makes me suspicious. McCoy isn’t very much younger than Ian Holm is right now, and The Hobbit is supposed to portray a younger Bilbo. Even if this turns out to be true, the films are still stalled by MGM’s financial problems. The film also lacks a director, although, Peter Jackson will most likely end up with the job.