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Stephen Hawking wants to play a Bond villain.
The 72-year-old scientist and author - who has made a number of on-screen cameos in the past - has confessed his "ideal" role would be playing "a baddie in a James Bond film".
The wheelchair-bound physicist believes his computerised voice - through which he has communicated since becoming almost entirely paralysed by motor neuron disease - makes him perfect for the part.
He told Wired magazine: "My ideal role would be a baddie in a James Bond film.
"I think the wheelchair and the computer voice would fit the part."
Hawking - who is the subject of the upcoming biopic 'The Theory of Everything' starring Eddie Redmayne - appeared in 'Monty Python Live (Mostly): One Down, Five To Go' over the summer while the comedy troupe performed at the O2 Arena in London.
Monty Python star Eric Idle said it was a "lovely" experience starring alongside Hawking in the show.
He told Rolling Stone: "In some of the outtakes, I'm playing [Hawking] the 'Galaxy Song' and I keep making him smile; it's lovely.
"It's not easy to make him smile because he doesn't have much range of movement, but I see his mouth go up and it's just great."
Stephen Hawking wants to play a Bond villain
Stephen Hawking wants to play a Bond villain.
The 72-year-old scientist and author - who has made a number of on-screen cameos in the past - has confessed his "ideal" role would be playing "a baddie in a James Bond film".
The wheelchair-bound physicist believes his computerised voice - through which he has communicated since becoming almost entirely paralysed by motor neuron disease - makes him perfect for the part.
He told Wired magazine: "My ideal role would be a baddie in a James Bond film.
"I think the wheelchair and the computer voice would fit the part."
Hawking - who is the subject of the upcoming biopic 'The Theory of Everything' starring Eddie Redmayne - appeared in 'Monty Python Live (Mostly): One Down, Five To Go' over the summer while the comedy troupe performed at the O2 Arena in London.
Monty Python star Eric Idle said it was a "lovely" experience starring alongside Hawking in the show.
He told Rolling Stone: "In some of the outtakes, I'm playing [Hawking] the 'Galaxy Song' and I keep making him smile; it's lovely.
"It's not easy to make him smile because he doesn't have much range of movement, but I see his mouth go up and it's just great."
TV
'The X Factor' stars Andrea Faustini and Ben Haenow have been banned from eating biscuits.
The semi-finalists are said to have been banned from eating sweet treats such as biscuits and chocolate bars after piling on the pounds in recent weeks.
Revealing they've been put on a strict exercise regime in a bid to have them in better shape if they make it to the final, a source said: "Andrea and Ben have put on weight and it's becoming a problem.
"Andrea's always been a bit cuddly, but if he wants to be a serious pop star he needs to be in better shape.
"Ben is not exactly fat, but he's getting a bit of a belly and it's becoming harder and harder for the stylists to hide it."
Andrea is the last of Mel B's boys category while Ben is one of Simon Cowell's two over 25s and while they claim they're often very involved in choosing which songs to sing in the live shows, they've been given no choice when it comes to their new diets.
The source continued to The Sun newspaper: "We have spoken to them both and said they need to seriously think about whether they want a career in pop music.
"They need to cut out biscuits and get to the gym.
"That isn't a suggestion, that's an order from the very top."
The news comes after Italian contestant Andrea recently admitted he'd been resisting the show's attempts to get him into better shape.
He said previously: "'The X Factor' tried to put me on a diet. For three weeks I ate broccoli and grilled chicken. But I hated it. Yuk."
Andrea Faustini and Ben Haenow slapped with biscuit ban
'The X Factor' stars Andrea Faustini and Ben Haenow have been banned from eating biscuits.
The semi-finalists are said to have been banned from eating sweet treats such as biscuits and chocolate bars after piling on the pounds in recent weeks.
Revealing they've been put on a strict exercise regime in a bid to have them in better shape if they make it to the final, a source said: "Andrea and Ben have put on weight and it's becoming a problem.
"Andrea's always been a bit cuddly, but if he wants to be a serious pop star he needs to be in better shape.
"Ben is not exactly fat, but he's getting a bit of a belly and it's becoming harder and harder for the stylists to hide it."
Andrea is the last of Mel B's boys category while Ben is one of Simon Cowell's two over 25s and while they claim they're often very involved in choosing which songs to sing in the live shows, they've been given no choice when it comes to their new diets.
The source continued to The Sun newspaper: "We have spoken to them both and said they need to seriously think about whether they want a career in pop music.
"They need to cut out biscuits and get to the gym.
"That isn't a suggestion, that's an order from the very top."
The news comes after Italian contestant Andrea recently admitted he'd been resisting the show's attempts to get him into better shape.
He said previously: "'The X Factor' tried to put me on a diet. For three weeks I ate broccoli and grilled chicken. But I hated it. Yuk."
Showbiz
Scarlett Johansson has reportedly joked her baby gets starstruck around her.
The 30-year-old actress has two-month-old daughter Rose Dorothy with French journalist Romain Dauriac and she's said to have been overheard joking her newborn got starstruck by her appearance, like many of her fans.
A source - who heard Scarlett talking to a pal at the Gotham Awards on Monday (01.12.14) - told the New York Post newspaper's PageSix: "Scarlett was saying how her daughter's eyes lit up when she saw her in full makeup and with her hair done for the event."
The 'Avengers' star is also reported to have offered her sympathies to a fellow new mum who told the beauty about her struggle to keep her baby's food down.
The source added: "The other mum was just smiling and talking about how her baby keeps puking on everything. Scarlett was just smiling and nodding with empathy."
Meanwhile, it's been confirmed Scarlett and Romain - who have been dating for over two years - tied the knot shortly after the birth of their new daughter.
The Granite County Clerk of Philipsburg, Montana is said to have revealed that he married the couple during a small ceremony in the state on October 1.
Scarlett Johansson jokes baby is starstruck
Scarlett Johansson has reportedly joked her baby gets starstruck around her.
The 30-year-old actress has two-month-old daughter Rose Dorothy with French journalist Romain Dauriac and she's said to have been overheard joking her newborn got starstruck by her appearance, like many of her fans.
A source - who heard Scarlett talking to a pal at the Gotham Awards on Monday (01.12.14) - told the New York Post newspaper's PageSix: "Scarlett was saying how her daughter's eyes lit up when she saw her in full makeup and with her hair done for the event."
The 'Avengers' star is also reported to have offered her sympathies to a fellow new mum who told the beauty about her struggle to keep her baby's food down.
The source added: "The other mum was just smiling and talking about how her baby keeps puking on everything. Scarlett was just smiling and nodding with empathy."
Meanwhile, it's been confirmed Scarlett and Romain - who have been dating for over two years - tied the knot shortly after the birth of their new daughter.
The Granite County Clerk of Philipsburg, Montana is said to have revealed that he married the couple during a small ceremony in the state on October 1.
Showbiz
Kim Kardashian West made preparations to have her eggs frozen before conceiving her daughter North West.
The 34-year-old reality TV star, who is married to hip-hop icon Kanye West, has revealed she found out she was pregnant with 17-month-old North as she was about to undergo fertility treatment.
She explained: "A few years ago, I was told I could never get pregnant. Three different doctors told me the same thing, which is why I wanted to have my eggs frozen.
"I was just about to do that when I found out I was pregnant with North."
Kim, who has two sisters and a brother - Kourtney Kardashian, 35, Khloe Kardashian, 30 and Rob Kardashian, 27, as well as four other half-siblings - also revealed she would like to have two more children of her own.
The brunette beauty told ELLE UK magazine: "I want a boy and another girl; I want it to start happening straight away. I loved being part of a huge family - and I want that for North. We'd do IVF if nothing happens, but we both want to keep trying naturally."
Kim also revealed her pride at seeing half-sister Kendall Jenner, 19, become a major figure in the fashion world, having recently become the face of beauty brand Estee Lauder.
She said: "I think she will be a huge star. I definitely think she will be bigger than I have ever been."
Kim Kardashian West planned to freeze eggs
Kim Kardashian West made preparations to have her eggs frozen before conceiving her daughter North West.
The 34-year-old reality TV star, who is married to hip-hop icon Kanye West, has revealed she found out she was pregnant with 17-month-old North as she was about to undergo fertility treatment.
She explained: "A few years ago, I was told I could never get pregnant. Three different doctors told me the same thing, which is why I wanted to have my eggs frozen.
"I was just about to do that when I found out I was pregnant with North."
Kim, who has two sisters and a brother - Kourtney Kardashian, 35, Khloe Kardashian, 30 and Rob Kardashian, 27, as well as four other half-siblings - also revealed she would like to have two more children of her own.
The brunette beauty told ELLE UK magazine: "I want a boy and another girl; I want it to start happening straight away. I loved being part of a huge family - and I want that for North. We'd do IVF if nothing happens, but we both want to keep trying naturally."
Kim also revealed her pride at seeing half-sister Kendall Jenner, 19, become a major figure in the fashion world, having recently become the face of beauty brand Estee Lauder.
She said: "I think she will be a huge star. I definitely think she will be bigger than I have ever been."
Showbiz
Bill Murray wants most child actors to be "taken out and shot".
The 64-year-old actor really dislikes working with youngsters in his movies but has made an exception for 11-year-old Jaeden Lieberher, who he appear alongside in his latest comedy movie 'St. Vincent' and admits the star is "more professional" than the majority of older actors he's worked with.
He said: "Most kid actors should be taken out and shot, let's face it. And their parents too.
"Yet this kid [Jaeden Lieberher] was more professional than most of the actors I've worked with. He was completely prepared and he has a wonderful mother and father who keep him normal.
"He never became a movie-star brat."
Bill's rare praise of a child actor has certainly worked wonders for Jaeden as the veteran actor helped to get the youngster a part in his latest movie, an untitled Cameron Crowe romantic-comedy which is also set to star Bradley Cooper, Rachel McAdams and Emma Stone.
When asked if he would be prepared to work with Jaeden again, Bill replied: "I already have. I was making a movie with Cameron Crowe after I finished this one and Cameron asked me what I thought of him.
"I said, 'I don't like kid actors.' Three days later, I had to call him and say, 'OK, this kid's good.' The next day, Cameron hired him."
But Bill admits he is very selective when it comes to choosing his own roles and refuses to have an agent because they used to show him so many "crap" scripts.
He added to Metro newspaper: "Agents don't get paid if you don't work, so they're constantly jamming stuff in your face - mostly stuff from other clients in their own agency.
"I remember saying, 'Please don't ever give me another script written by these people. Ever.' Because there are some writers in Hollywood who just churn out crap."
Bill Murray wants child actors ‘shot’
Bill Murray wants most child actors to be "taken out and shot".
The 64-year-old actor really dislikes working with youngsters in his movies but has made an exception for 11-year-old Jaeden Lieberher, who he appear alongside in his latest comedy movie 'St. Vincent' and admits the star is "more professional" than the majority of older actors he's worked with.
He said: "Most kid actors should be taken out and shot, let's face it. And their parents too.
"Yet this kid [Jaeden Lieberher] was more professional than most of the actors I've worked with. He was completely prepared and he has a wonderful mother and father who keep him normal.
"He never became a movie-star brat."
Bill's rare praise of a child actor has certainly worked wonders for Jaeden as the veteran actor helped to get the youngster a part in his latest movie, an untitled Cameron Crowe romantic-comedy which is also set to star Bradley Cooper, Rachel McAdams and Emma Stone.
When asked if he would be prepared to work with Jaeden again, Bill replied: "I already have. I was making a movie with Cameron Crowe after I finished this one and Cameron asked me what I thought of him.
"I said, 'I don't like kid actors.' Three days later, I had to call him and say, 'OK, this kid's good.' The next day, Cameron hired him."
But Bill admits he is very selective when it comes to choosing his own roles and refuses to have an agent because they used to show him so many "crap" scripts.
He added to Metro newspaper: "Agents don't get paid if you don't work, so they're constantly jamming stuff in your face - mostly stuff from other clients in their own agency.
"I remember saying, 'Please don't ever give me another script written by these people. Ever.' Because there are some writers in Hollywood who just churn out crap."
Music News
Ed Sheeran received career advice from Prince William.
The 'Thinking Out Loud' hitmaker has revealed the British royal advised him to never duet with soccer star Wayne Rooney again after seeing a YouTube video of them singing Ed's hit single 'Lego House'.
Explaining that the conversation took place at the Royal Variety Performance earlier this month, Ed said William joked: "Er, no more duets with Wayne Rooney."
The 23-year-old star also spoke about how he came to record the performance with his unlikely singing partner - who plays soccer for Manchester United.
He told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "Rooney's been trying to come to a gig for three years.
"He actually booked me for his birthday party, but I had a gig the same night.
"Coleen [Rooney, his wife] came down to my Leeds show and said Wayne was going to come down to Manchester with a load of mates.
"She asked if I wanted to go out afterwards. I said I didn't want to go to a club, but Wayne hates clubs as well, so they rented out a lovely dingy pub that just did Jagerbombs and beer."
However, Ed wasn't the only famous face at the bash, as he also partied until 4am with Example and Wretch 32, before taking everyone back to his hotel room until 7am.
Meanwhile, the flame-haired singer confessed he's unsure whether William and his wife, Duchess Catherine like his music as much as they claim to.
He added: "I don't know if they're fans. Do royals have iPods and things like that?"
Ed Sheeran gets career advice from Prince William
Ed Sheeran received career advice from Prince William.
The 'Thinking Out Loud' hitmaker has revealed the British royal advised him to never duet with soccer star Wayne Rooney again after seeing a YouTube video of them singing Ed's hit single 'Lego House'.
Explaining that the conversation took place at the Royal Variety Performance earlier this month, Ed said William joked: "Er, no more duets with Wayne Rooney."
The 23-year-old star also spoke about how he came to record the performance with his unlikely singing partner - who plays soccer for Manchester United.
He told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "Rooney's been trying to come to a gig for three years.
"He actually booked me for his birthday party, but I had a gig the same night.
"Coleen [Rooney, his wife] came down to my Leeds show and said Wayne was going to come down to Manchester with a load of mates.
"She asked if I wanted to go out afterwards. I said I didn't want to go to a club, but Wayne hates clubs as well, so they rented out a lovely dingy pub that just did Jagerbombs and beer."
However, Ed wasn't the only famous face at the bash, as he also partied until 4am with Example and Wretch 32, before taking everyone back to his hotel room until 7am.
Meanwhile, the flame-haired singer confessed he's unsure whether William and his wife, Duchess Catherine like his music as much as they claim to.
He added: "I don't know if they're fans. Do royals have iPods and things like that?"
Movies
Jared Leto and Will Smith are among the stars confirmed for 'Suicide Squad'.
The 'Dallas Buyers Club' actor and 'Men In Black' star are among the star-studded cast confirmed for the upcoming Warner Bros. supervillain movie based on the DC comic book of the same name, Variety reports.
Will Smith's 'Focus' co-star Margot Robbie, 'The Dark Knight Rises' actor Tom Hardy, Divergent's Jai Courteney and model-turned-actress Cara Delevingne will also star in the film to be directed by 'Fury' filmmaker David Ayer.
Warner Bros. president Greg Silverman said: "The Warner Bros. roots are deep in this one. We look forward to seeing this terrific ensemble under David Ayer's amazing guidance, give new meaning to what it means to be a villain and what it means to be a hero."
The script centres on a team of supervillains who are given a death-defying mission to complete in return for redemption from the government.
Although the names have long been rumoured for the highly anticipated project, it's now been confirmed which stars will be taking on which roles.
Leto will transform into The Joker - a character made famous by Jack Nicholson and the late Heath Ledger - while Smith will play Deadshot, Hardy Rick Flag, Robbie Harley Quinn, Courtney Boomerang and Delevingne Enchantress.
Jesse Eisenberg is also said to be in talks to play Lex Luthor in the upcoming project, a role he will first take on in 'Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice'.
However, the studio is yet to cast the role of supervillain team leader Amanda Waller, although Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer and Oprah Winfrey are being eyed for the part.
'Suicide Squad' - which is scheduled to open in cinemas on August 5, 2016 - is expected to begin shooting in Toronto next April.
Jared Leto and Will Smith confirmed for Suicide Squad
Jared Leto and Will Smith are among the stars confirmed for 'Suicide Squad'.
The 'Dallas Buyers Club' actor and 'Men In Black' star are among the star-studded cast confirmed for the upcoming Warner Bros. supervillain movie based on the DC comic book of the same name, Variety reports.
Will Smith's 'Focus' co-star Margot Robbie, 'The Dark Knight Rises' actor Tom Hardy, Divergent's Jai Courteney and model-turned-actress Cara Delevingne will also star in the film to be directed by 'Fury' filmmaker David Ayer.
Warner Bros. president Greg Silverman said: "The Warner Bros. roots are deep in this one. We look forward to seeing this terrific ensemble under David Ayer's amazing guidance, give new meaning to what it means to be a villain and what it means to be a hero."
The script centres on a team of supervillains who are given a death-defying mission to complete in return for redemption from the government.
Although the names have long been rumoured for the highly anticipated project, it's now been confirmed which stars will be taking on which roles.
Leto will transform into The Joker - a character made famous by Jack Nicholson and the late Heath Ledger - while Smith will play Deadshot, Hardy Rick Flag, Robbie Harley Quinn, Courtney Boomerang and Delevingne Enchantress.
Jesse Eisenberg is also said to be in talks to play Lex Luthor in the upcoming project, a role he will first take on in 'Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice'.
However, the studio is yet to cast the role of supervillain team leader Amanda Waller, although Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer and Oprah Winfrey are being eyed for the part.
'Suicide Squad' - which is scheduled to open in cinemas on August 5, 2016 - is expected to begin shooting in Toronto next April.
TV
Chloe Sims realised Elliott Wright wasn't right for her when he partly blamed her daughter for their problems.
The 'Only Way is Essex' stars recently ended their five-month relationship and the 33-year-old beauty is adamant she won't be going back to her former lover after he claimed one reason for their break-up was that she shares a bed with her nine-year-old daughter Madison.
Chloe believes Elliott wants a stay-at-home wife who will always put him first but she's not willing to settle for a "mediocre" life.
In an interview with OK! magazine, she said: "It's over completely. Things were rocky anyway and then he spoke about my daughter, saying her sharing a bed with me didn't help our relationship, which really upset me.
"Madison is not the reason I split from Elliott, he just wasn't for me. He wants a little wifey that's going to stay at home and be happy with a mediocre life - I'm not that."
Chloe, 31, has accused Elliott, 33, of being very controlling and she claims he didn't trust her when she went out without him, making her phone him at certain times.
She said: "He tried to tell me I couldn't go on another girls' holiday and that I can go out but would have to be home at 2am or go home to him.
"On holiday, I had to FaceTime him every night to show I was in. He didn't trust me."
Chloe Sims: Elliot wanted me to have mediocre life
Chloe Sims realised Elliott Wright wasn't right for her when he partly blamed her daughter for their problems.
The 'Only Way is Essex' stars recently ended their five-month relationship and the 33-year-old beauty is adamant she won't be going back to her former lover after he claimed one reason for their break-up was that she shares a bed with her nine-year-old daughter Madison.
Chloe believes Elliott wants a stay-at-home wife who will always put him first but she's not willing to settle for a "mediocre" life.
In an interview with OK! magazine, she said: "It's over completely. Things were rocky anyway and then he spoke about my daughter, saying her sharing a bed with me didn't help our relationship, which really upset me.
"Madison is not the reason I split from Elliott, he just wasn't for me. He wants a little wifey that's going to stay at home and be happy with a mediocre life - I'm not that."
Chloe, 31, has accused Elliott, 33, of being very controlling and she claims he didn't trust her when she went out without him, making her phone him at certain times.
She said: "He tried to tell me I couldn't go on another girls' holiday and that I can go out but would have to be home at 2am or go home to him.
"On holiday, I had to FaceTime him every night to show I was in. He didn't trust me."
TV
Pixie Lott "loves" Jake Wood's "twerking hips" on 'Strictly Come Dancing'.
The 23-year-old singer - who is dating model Oliver Cheshire - is competing alongside the 'EastEnders' actor on BBC ballroom competition and can understand why he is a "guilty crush" for so many people.
She said: "I absolutely love Jake and his twerking hips. I love that he just goes for it and really gets into character, that's why he's done so well in his dances.
"Everyone says Jake is a bit of a guilty crush and even more people feel that way now they know he can dance. I love being around Jake - he has us all in stitches when we're together backstage."
Pixie - who is partnered by dancer Trent Whiddon on the show - has been getting high scores from the judges week-after-week and admits the hardest part of the show for her is having to say goodbye to the axed contestants.
Speaking to Closer magazine, she said: "Having nerves before the live show is all part of the experience. It's not a massive low for me because it's what's expected from a competition of this standard, but a bigger low for me has been when we lose someone each week in the competition.
"It will either be Trent and I who leave or one of our good friends, so that is the saddest part. Everyone is so close and when you return to the show the following week and someone is missing, it's really strange."
Pixie Lott loves Jake’s Strictly ‘twerking’
Pixie Lott "loves" Jake Wood's "twerking hips" on 'Strictly Come Dancing'.
The 23-year-old singer - who is dating model Oliver Cheshire - is competing alongside the 'EastEnders' actor on BBC ballroom competition and can understand why he is a "guilty crush" for so many people.
She said: "I absolutely love Jake and his twerking hips. I love that he just goes for it and really gets into character, that's why he's done so well in his dances.
"Everyone says Jake is a bit of a guilty crush and even more people feel that way now they know he can dance. I love being around Jake - he has us all in stitches when we're together backstage."
Pixie - who is partnered by dancer Trent Whiddon on the show - has been getting high scores from the judges week-after-week and admits the hardest part of the show for her is having to say goodbye to the axed contestants.
Speaking to Closer magazine, she said: "Having nerves before the live show is all part of the experience. It's not a massive low for me because it's what's expected from a competition of this standard, but a bigger low for me has been when we lose someone each week in the competition.
"It will either be Trent and I who leave or one of our good friends, so that is the saddest part. Everyone is so close and when you return to the show the following week and someone is missing, it's really strange."
Showbiz
Kendra Wilkinson is trying to cure her heartache.
The 29-year-old beauty's marriage to former American football star Hank Baskett came under sever strain when it was alleged he'd cheated on her with a transsexual model and a friend of the star has now revealed she's competing on British reality series 'I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!' in order to take some "time out".
Jessica Hall shared: "She wanted to do it to prove to herself what a strong person she is, because she has had a tough year. She needed the time out.
"When it [the news of Hank's alleged cheating] came out, I never left Kendra's side.
"I was there from step one and it was hard to watch as a friend."
However, the former Playboy model's best friend admits she's hoping Kendra and Hank - who have four-year-old son Hank Baskett IV and six-month-old daughter Alijah Mary together - will work things out once Kendra returns from Australia.
She added to The Sun newspaper: "It was out of control. But you have to remember there are two sides to every story.
"I would love to see them make it work, because I adore both of them and they are terrific together. I'm rooting for Hank.
"And she is learning things all the time in the jungle."
Kendra Wilkinson trying to cure heartache
Kendra Wilkinson is trying to cure her heartache.
The 29-year-old beauty's marriage to former American football star Hank Baskett came under sever strain when it was alleged he'd cheated on her with a transsexual model and a friend of the star has now revealed she's competing on British reality series 'I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!' in order to take some "time out".
Jessica Hall shared: "She wanted to do it to prove to herself what a strong person she is, because she has had a tough year. She needed the time out.
"When it [the news of Hank's alleged cheating] came out, I never left Kendra's side.
"I was there from step one and it was hard to watch as a friend."
However, the former Playboy model's best friend admits she's hoping Kendra and Hank - who have four-year-old son Hank Baskett IV and six-month-old daughter Alijah Mary together - will work things out once Kendra returns from Australia.
She added to The Sun newspaper: "It was out of control. But you have to remember there are two sides to every story.
"I would love to see them make it work, because I adore both of them and they are terrific together. I'm rooting for Hank.
"And she is learning things all the time in the jungle."
Movies
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
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."