Martin Freeman thinks Bilbo Baggins is a realistic example of an everyday hero.
The 43-year-old actor stars as the diminutive Bilbo in ‘The Hobbit’ film trilogy and feels his on-screen character has more in common with everyday heroes than someone like Dolph Lundgren, the burly Swedish actor who appeared in ‘Rocky IV’ and ‘The Expendables’.
Speaking at the London press conference for ‘The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies’ – which also features Orlando Bloom – yesterday (02.12.14), Martin reflected: "I think the message of the film is pretty straightforward. It’s not the first story in the world that had the message that the little guy can triumph. The reason it recurs is because it’s strong and it’s also aspirational.
"We want it to be true, but it is also true, you know. Most actual heroes in the world are not 6ft 5 and look like Vikings. Most everyday heroes don’t look like that. We all know that to be true.
"Hollywood doesn’t always tell us that truth, and that’s why we all think it’s surprising that Bilbo could be a hero.
"Well, actually most people we’ve ever met who we consider to be brave or inspirational or heroic don’t look like Dolph Lundgren, do you know what I mean?
"Don’t get me wrong, Dolph is a lovely fella… so I don’t think it’s the first tale in human history that told that message, but I think it’s one that’s worth retelling."
Martin Freeman says Bilbo Baggins is an everyday hero
