Martin Freeman is Finally Confirmed for The Hobbit, Plus a Breakdown of Actors Playing the Dwarves

Fans of BBC's The Office, rejoice. Martin Freeman is now actually, really, 100 percent officially confirmed to play Bilbo Baggins. According to Peter Jackson, "Despite the various rumors and speculation surrounding this role, there has only ever been one Bilbo Baggins for us." I wish he would have told us that before we spent all that time speculating and spreading rumors. But that's not all! The list of actors playing each of the film's many dwarves have been announced as well. Get to know them as Movieline breaks it down after the jump.

1. Richard Armitage as head dwarf Thorin Oakenshield

If you're a fan of British Television, you may know Armitage from MI5, Robin Hood, and North and South. Also, according to Jackson, Armitage "is one of the most exciting and dynamic actors working on screen today and we know he is going to make an amazing Thorin Oakensheild. We cannot wait to start this adventure with him and feel very lucky that one of the most beloved characters in Middle-earth is in such good hands."

2. Aidan Turner as Kili

Again, If you're a fan of British television, you may know this Irish actor from The Clinic and Being Human. Otherwise, you probably do not know him. Sorry. Jackson has faith though, saying, "He is a wonderfully gifted young actor who hails from Ireland. I'm sure he will bring enormous heart and humor to the role of Kili."

3. Rob Kazinsky as Filli

More British television! Kazinsky had a long running part on the show East-Enders, which fans of Ricky Gervais' Extras should be familiar with. Says Jackson: "Rob is an extremely talented young actor with a huge career in front of him, I'm thrilled that he has agreed to take on the role of Fili." More significantly though, Kazinsky is also a champion sword fighter.

4. Graham McTavish as Dwalin

McTavish played that tough-as-nails bald mercenary that fought on Stallone's team in the last Rambo and had a recurring role in season four of Lost (as Desmond's drill sergeant in "The Constant") as well as the TV show Red Dwarf. He also does a lot of video game voice-over work.

5. John Callin as Oin

You may know Callin as the voice of Sonimax in Power Rangers Jungle Fury. Or you may not. As of now, a Google image search for him brings up a number of pictures of John Calvin, the leader of the Protestant reformation.

Okay, enough. It keeps going like this. Rounding out the dwarves: Stephen Hunter will play Bombur, Peter Hambleton will play Gloin, and New Zealand Stand-up Comic Mark Hadlow will play Dori. Kudos to Jackson for giving relatively unknown actors a shot. Looks like most of the absurd budget on this one will actually go to what's on screen and not just paying huge actor salaries.

The film will be split up into two parts and will be released in December 2012 and December 2013.

[via The Wrap]