Re-Casting The Lord Of The Rings Movies If They Came Out Today

While the title of hero may rest on his master's shoulders, Samwise Gamgee is arguably the hardest character to cast out of the whole roster.

Sam personifies the Shire, both in his gentle love of the natural world and relaxed pastimes, and in his stout fierceness at defending what he loves. Whether the new trilogy finally decides to include the battle of the Shire or not, whoever plays Sam will have to be both fierce, and fiercely loyal. Wouldn't hurt if he had a south western farmer's accent either.

And rounding out the calvalcade of comics from England, we have Josh Widdicombe.

Josh Widdicombe was made for the role of Sam.

Apart from the fact that he looks exactly like the character anyway, with his strawberry blonde curls and youthful features, Josh Widdicombe is excellent at portraying innocent vulnerability- getting continually ripped to shreds on panel shows by the likes of Frankie Boyle and Jimmy Carr- while also having a sharp tongue himself.

It's this duality, between boyish punching-bag and acerbic passion, that makes Sam so beloved, and makes Widdicombe so perfect to portray him.

Let's hope the line between actor and character isn't blurred TOO much, though. No one wants to see Gamgee's Bag End open mic night.