Well, this takes care of our 'Hobbit' and 'Spider-Man' rumors of the day, all in one fell swoop.

According to Latino Review, Creative Artists Agency and the producers of the upcoming 'Hobbit' films are in the early stages of talks with Tobey Maguire to play Bilbo Baggins. The deal would ensure a big name star to headline Guillermo del Toro’s films, which will likely be expensive.

A number of other actors, including James McAvoy and Daniel Radcliffe, were rumored to be in contention to the role. However, Peter Jackson dismissed the McAvoy rumor, and Radcliffe reportedly said thanks, but no thanks. Maguire, on the other hand, supposedly tipped his hand during an interview for his new film Brothers.

When asked which director he’d like to work with next, Maguire is said to have replied, "Guillermo del Toro", adding, "We may have something here in the near future."

But wait, you say. What about Maguire’s commitment to the next trilogy of 'Spider-Man' films? Apparently, Spider-Man 4 is scheduled to begin shooting in early 2010, while production on the first 'Hobbit' movie would start sometime in mid-summer 2010. Meanwhile, if Latino Review is accurate, Spider-Man 4 and 5 are not shooting back-to-back, meaning Maguire could conceivably play Ol’ Webhead and still find time to fit in The Hobbit.

It should be noted that MGM, which owns half the rights to The Hobbit, has not officially greenlit Del Toro’s adaptations yet. The studio’s assets are going up for auction next month, and what happens then could go a long way toward solidifying the project’s future.

But in the meantime, what do you readers think of the Maguire-as-Bilbo rumors? Let us know below...