McKellen hopes to return in ‘Hobbit’ films

Gandalf the Wizard will be back if actor, producer Jackson have their way

	Ian McKellen performs as Gandalf in a scene from "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King."
Pierre Vinet / New Line Productions via AP

Movie video

‘New Moon’ preys on box office rivals
Nov. 22: The film blew past decidedly mixed reviews to rake in more than $140 million over the weekend, making it the third-largest film debut ever. NBC’s Lester Holt reports.

‘New Moon’ shines bright at box office

Nutritionists: Thumbs down to movie popcorn

Fans go over the moon for ‘New Moon’

'New Moon' rises to box office history

Slideshow

December movies
James Cameron’s spectacle “Avatar” hits theaters, along with George Clooney, who is “Up in the Air,” and Robert Downey Jr. as “Sherlock Holmes.”

more photos

updated 1:08 p.m. ET March 28, 2008

WELLINGTON, New Zealand - Ian McKellen, who played Gandalf the Wizard in the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, is hoping to reprise the role in another tale from Middle Earth.

A fan asked McKellen on the actor’s official Web site if he would play the role of Gandalf in “The Hobbit,” which is being produced by Peter Jackson, director of the “Rings” trilogy.

“Yes, I will, if Peter Jackson and I have anything to do with it, he being the producer and me being, on the whole, a very lucky actor,” McKellen, 68, said in a reply dated Wednesday.

Story continues below ↓

advertisement | your ad here

Jackson reached a deal with New Line Cinema late last year to make two films of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit,” a planned prequel to the blockbuster “Rings” trilogy. Jackson will serve as executive producer for the “Hobbit” movies.

Another fan asked: “Have you been approached yet by Peter Jackson or anyone else” to play the ancient Wizard?

McKellen replied: “Encouragingly, Peter and (partner) Fran Walsh have told me they couldn’t imagine ‘The Hobbit’ without their original Gandalf.”

“Their confidence hasn’t yet been confirmed by the director Guillermo del Toro, but I am keeping my diary free for 2009!” he said.

Click for related content

Ledger's death fans mania for 'Dark Knight'
'X-Files' creator spills details about film

Del Toro’s manager, Gary Ungar, told The Associated Press on Friday that del Toro, director of “Pan’s Labyrinth” and “Hellboy,” is being considered for the “Hobbit” films.

“It’s still under discussion, (but) yes,” he said.

He declined to give any details, but when asked about an announcement timeline, he said: “I hope it resolves soon. .... Everybody has to agree in everything.”