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It was one of those things that completely exploded without any noise. The Sun ran a story claiming that Martin Freeman had to turn down an offer to play Bilbo Baggins for The Hobbit because of a scheduling conflict with a BBC show about Sherlock Holmes. Now, the word is out that New Line and MGM have returned to the actor with a proposed schedule that would allow him to do both.

Letting the thought of missing out on millions of dollars, a chance to work with Peter Jackson and the opportunity of creating an iconic role slip away for a moment – the big news here is that Freeman might actually get to step into the hairy feet of Bilbo.

There’s quite possibly no better actor for the gig. That is, if the movies ever actually get made. [EW]