20 Actors That Were Almost Cast In The Lord Of The Rings
18. Sylvester McCoy - Bilbo
Although Ian Holm was always reported to be Peter Jackson's first choice for the role of Bilbo Baggins, if the actor decided against taking the role then Sylvester McCoy was the director's preferred replacement. The seventh incarnation of The Doctor was actually held in place for six months as a potential Bilbo, before Holm finally decided to sign on. Despite missing out on the chance to star in the original trilogy, McCoy still got his chance to journey to Middle-Earth when he was cast as Radagast the Brown in The Hobbit, meeting Peter Jackson when, fortuitously enough, touring a stage version of King Lear around New Zealand with his long-time friend Ian McKellen.
I don't do social media, so like or follow me in person but please maintain a safe distance or the authorities will be notified. Don't snap me though, I'll probably break. I was once labelled a misogynist on this very site in a twenty paragraph-long rant for daring to speak ill of the Twilight franchise. I stand by what I said, it's crap.
