'Lord of the Rings' star Ian McKellen hopes to play Gandalf the wizard in the planned series prequel 'The Hobbit', which is also based on the work of JRR Tolkien.
McKellen played Gandalf in all three instalments of the 'Lord of the Rings', and wants to don his robes and hat again even though series director Peter Jackson will not be at the helm for the new film.
Speaking on his official website, McKellen also said Jackson would the executive producer on the new film with Guillermo del Toro, maker of 'Pan's Labyrinth', set to direct.
Asked whether he would play Gandalf, McKellen said: "Yes I will, if Peter Jackson and I have anything to do with it, he being the executive producer and me being, on the whole, a very lucky actor."
He continued: "Encouragingly, Peter and screenwriter 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!"
Del Toro and Jackson plan to make 'The Hobbit', a far shorter book than the three that made up the 'Lord of the Rings' series, into two films. As with Jackson's films, the two films will be shot simultaneously.
Click here for a review of Guillermo del Toro's 'Pan's Labyrinth'.
Click on the film name for reviews of LOTR I, LOTR II or LOTR III.
