‘Lord of the Rings’ Star Ian Holm Played Different Characters 20 Years Before the First Movie

Many people consider Peter Jackson’s ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy to be among the best book-to-film adaptations ever made. Fans of J.R.R. Tolkien’s original works, both young and old, were enthralled by Jackson’s ability to bring Middle-earth to life.

Jackson wasn’t the first person to adapt ‘The Lord of the Rings’, either. The plot was brought to life in a radio drama twenty years prior to the movies, and Ian Holm played a completely different role from the one he would later play on screen.

In the Jackson trilogy, Ian Holm played the iconic role of Bilbo Baggins. His portrayal of Bilbo encapsulated the quirks and complexity of an ageing Hobbit, particularly in the latter years of the character’s existence. By skillfully capturing Bilbo’s sense of nostalgia and yearning for adventure, Holm gave the character’s arc a sense of completion.

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Holm had a successful career in theatre and cinema. He originally became well-known in 1968 after winning a BAFTA award for ‘The Bofors Gun’. He later received more honours, such as another BAFTA for ‘Chariots of Fire’ and a nomination for an Academy Award for his performance in the movie. He had a prosperous stage career as well; in 1967, his performance in ‘The Homecoming’ earned him a Tony Award.

It’s interesting to note that Holm’s association with the world of ‘The Lord of the Rings’ started in 1981 when he provided the voice of Frodo Baggins in a radio version of the tale. At the time, this adaptation—which consisted of 26 half-hour episodes—was regarded as the authoritative version of the tale. Despite minor structural and condensing adjustments to make the plot more linear, it stayed largely true to Tolkien’s works. By combining idealism and tenacity, Holm’s portrayal of Frodo lets listeners visualize Middle-earth.

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Even while Holm was Jackson’s first pick to play Bilbo, Sylvester McCoy, another well-known actor, was also taken into consideration if Holm had declined. McCoy was already well-known for his role as Doctor Who’s Seventh Doctor. Despite not being cast as Bilbo, McCoy went on to play Radagast the Brown in Jackson’s ‘The Hobbit’ trilogy, which takes place in the Middle-earth realm. 

Although McCoy’s character had a supporting role in the struggle against the Necromancer and the struggle of the Five Armies, Radagast was a relatively minor character in the books but received greater screen time in the movies.

–Farheen Ali