Written by Nicole Pedersen

London's Daily Express newspaper/tabloid is reporting that British actor James McAvoy is the top contender for the role of Bilbo Baggins in the upcoming "Hobbit" films. A 'source' told the paper that "a number of names have been doing the rounds, including Daniel Radcliffe and Jack Black, but James is the one the film's bosses really want. They're expected to have talks soon so hopefully it could be confirmed in the not too distant future." McAvoy is best known as Idi Amin's sidekick in the award winning "The Last King of Scotland," but younger viewers will also recognize him from his turn as the fawn in "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe." I love James McAvoy – but honestly I would take anyone as Bilbo over Jack Black. From what ass that source pulled Black's name is a mystery. Guillermo del Toro told Empire Magazine that he wanted Ian Holm (who played Bilbo in Peter Jackson's "LOTR" trilogy) to be involved in the Hobbit, but that a final decision on who would be playing the slightly younger version of Baggins would not be announced for some time. He added "I can tell you it's down to a few names that we all agree upon. For our first choice, completely magically we all have the same name." I wouldn't bank on The Daily Express having good info here, but James McAvoy definitely seems more likely to have been the director's 'magical' choice – everyone knows that Danielle Radcliffe and magic do not mix. Conjure British movie rumors here.