The big question surrounding The Hobbit now that we know the movie is being made (and it officially has a director) is who is going to fill the title role. We know Guillermo del Toro and Peter Jackson are enthusiastic about getting back as much of the Lord of the Rings cast as they can, or at least as much as makes sense, but Ian Holm’s name has been all but left out despite people like me thinking he could do it.

The Daily Express claims to have an inside scoop on the names being bandied about to play Bilbo Baggins, the lead character of The Hobbit, and I have to admit it’s the first time a name has been suggested that I’ve kind of liked. According to their industry insiders, former Narnian faun James McAvoy is in the “pole position” for the role. I could actually see that working rather nicely. Even if that’s not a final contender, if that’s the direction del Toro and Jackson are thinking then I’m intrigued.

Of course, McAvoy isn’t the only name being suggested. According to the site several others have been mentioned, including Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe (I don’t like that suggestion at all) and comedic actor Jack Black, who already played Frodo in a Lord of the Rings parody. Not that I’m against Black transcending his comedic side, but I have to admit a sigh of relief when MTV Movies Blog reported the actor didn’t know anything about the rumors.

Of course, if Black doesn’t know anything, then who’s to say any of these actors are actually being considered? Still, I do like the idea of McAvoy. If the Atonement actor isn’t being considered, perhaps he should be.