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Martin Freeman has said he's not feeling the pressure of playing Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit.

The Office star takes over from Ian Holm in Peter Jackson's two-part prequel to his Lord of the Rings trilogy.

He told Total Film: "I honestly don't feel that pressure, no. I really, really don't. It is Bilbo's journey, but I didn't write it. I'm not directing it. It's not my film, It's Peter's film.

"The hardest thing is staying up and peppy when you're covered in snot or mud, day after day. I'm sure there's more to come."

He added: "So far, what we've filmed has been more comic than heavy. I keep asking Peter, 'When are we going heavy?' He assures me it's coming."

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is scheduled for release on December 14, 2012.

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