Grant Was First Choice for 'Hitchhiker'

British heart-throb Hugh Grant was late author Douglas Adams's first choice to play Arthur Dent in the long-awaited movie adaptation of his best- selling novel The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy. Adams penned the screenplay for a big screen version of his 1979 book before his sudden death of a heart attack in 2001. Last month filming began in London, with The Office star Martin Freeman playing Dent, rapper Mos Def as Ford Prefect and Bill Nighy as Slartibartfast. Nighy says of Freeman's casting in the role Adams wished for Grant, 'They're both first class. Adams probably thought having Hugh on board would have got the film made.' "

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