The Daily Express reports that Scottish hunk and acclaimed 29-year-old thespian James McAvoy ("Atonement," "The Last King of Scotland") is the favourite to play the lead role of Bilbo Baggins in Guillermo del Toro's "The Hobbit".

According to the dubious British tabloid, "A number of names have been doing the rounds, including Daniel Radcliffe and Jack Black, but James (McAvoy) is the one the film's bosses really want. They're expected to have talks soon so hopefully it could be confirmed in the not too distant future."

In a chat with Empire earlier this week, director Guillermo del Toro said that he and producer Peter Jackson have a short list of names in regards to who they'd like to play Bilbo, and their first choice is someone both he and Jackson immediately agreed upon.

Speculation about the role will continue for a while though as del Toro has already warned that it'll be "at least a year before we announce any casting."

The 5'7 Glaswegian McAvoy will next be seen in this Summer's action vehicle "Wanted".