Los Angeles:
Director Peter Jackson is taking us back to Middle Earth in The Hobbit and Sir Ian McKellen is all set to play wizard Gandalf once again.
Sir Ian has signed on to the film adaptation of Tolkien's fantasy tale of dwarves, dragons and, of course, hobbits. The film will be a two part a prequel to the very successful and much awarded Lord of the Rings trilogy, also helmed by Peter Jackson.
Giving Sir Ian company in the movie will be some of the cast from the first three films. Andy Serkis returns as Gollum, who plays a more important role in this movie than he did in the Lord of the Rings. The leading figures from the first trilogy are being written into the script as well, even though they do not appear in Tolkien's original story. Elijah Wood will play Frodo again, Cate Blanchett will return as Lady Galadriel and Orlando Bloom may reprise his role as Legolas the elf.
The Office star Martin Freeman has been cast as central character, Bilbo Baggins - the eponymous Hobbit - while former Dr Spock, Leonard Nimoy, might just be the one to voice Smaug the Dragon.
Sir Ian was nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of Gandalf and has since focused on voicework for film and TV, and the theatre, appearing in a critically acclaimed production of Waiting for Godot with his X-Men co-star, Patrick Stewart. His last major film role was as mutant leader Magneto in X Men: The Last Stand (2006).
The Hobbit begins filming on February 14 in New Zealand, where the first three films were shot. It's expected to be ready for release in 2012.
Sir Ian has signed on to the film adaptation of Tolkien's fantasy tale of dwarves, dragons and, of course, hobbits. The film will be a two part a prequel to the very successful and much awarded Lord of the Rings trilogy, also helmed by Peter Jackson.
Giving Sir Ian company in the movie will be some of the cast from the first three films. Andy Serkis returns as Gollum, who plays a more important role in this movie than he did in the Lord of the Rings. The leading figures from the first trilogy are being written into the script as well, even though they do not appear in Tolkien's original story. Elijah Wood will play Frodo again, Cate Blanchett will return as Lady Galadriel and Orlando Bloom may reprise his role as Legolas the elf.
The Office star Martin Freeman has been cast as central character, Bilbo Baggins - the eponymous Hobbit - while former Dr Spock, Leonard Nimoy, might just be the one to voice Smaug the Dragon.
Sir Ian was nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of Gandalf and has since focused on voicework for film and TV, and the theatre, appearing in a critically acclaimed production of Waiting for Godot with his X-Men co-star, Patrick Stewart. His last major film role was as mutant leader Magneto in X Men: The Last Stand (2006).
The Hobbit begins filming on February 14 in New Zealand, where the first three films were shot. It's expected to be ready for release in 2012.
