Martin Freeman has revealed that he almost turned down the role of Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit.
Freeman had to reject the offer due to his commitments to BBC show Sherlock Holmes, which was due to film a second series at the same time.
But Peter Jackson was keen to get his man that he moved the filming on the Tolkien movie so Freeman could take on the role.
Speaking to Total Film the actor said: "I had to turn it down because of being contractually obliged to do the second series of Sherlock for the BBC, which we are doing in the middle of this year.
"When I found out I couldn't do both it was very sad. And then it was very flattering when Peter Jackson rearranged the filming around my availability."
Freeman is set to lead an all star cast of Ian McKellan, Andy Serkis, Richard Armitage and Saoirse Ronan.
While Orlando Bloom, Cate Blanchett and Elijah Wood will all be returning to the characters of Legolas, Galadriel and Frodo.
Filming was due to get underway in New Zealand this month but Peter Jackson undergoing an operation has pushed the schedule back.
The Hobbit- Part 1 is set to hit the big screen 19th December 2012.
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