Could Tobey Maguire Headline The Hobbit?

Having an actor headline two franchises at the same time (at two separate studios, no less!) hasn’t met with the best results. Look at what happened with Christian Bale. Sure his two Batman movies were insanely popular and profitable. But his becoming the face of the Terminator franchise didn’t do the same wonders and they won’t be back for quite some time. Then again, there is hope in Robert Downey Junior with next week’s Sherlock Holmes opening and Iron Man 2 opening next summer. We’ll see.

The good folks over at Latino Review have the exclusive information that Guillermo del Toro and Peter Jackson might have found their Bilbo Baggins after two years worth of rumor, speculation and 100% grade-A Internet bullshit.

Although this is strictly in the talks phase and nothing has been signed, their sources say that Tobey Maguire is the favorite to take over the role from Sir Ian Holm.

That’s right, kids. Spider-Man could also be The Hobbit. As the site points out, the shooting schedule for both tentpoles allows for Maguire to pull it off. Spider-Man 4 starts filming early next year while the two-movie Hobbit adaptation won’t commence principal photography until summer 2010.

Yeah, I could imagine Tobey done up in Middle-Earth costuming and what not.