Ian McKellen has an updated the E-Post on his official website where he expresses his interest to return as the wizard Gandalf in the upcoming film version of The Hobbit. McKellen frequently answers fans’ questions via the E-Post section and his most recent comments (March 26) were centered around his involvement in The Lord of the Rings films. For the past few years, fans have been hopeful that a deal could be reached for a film version of The Hobbit that would include LotR director Peter Jackson. Rumors have been floated that Jackson will return, but only in a producer capacity. Potential directors for The Hobbit have included Sam Raimi and Guillermo del Toro.
Here is an excerpt from Ian McKellen’s most recent E-Post:
Q: Will you again be our Gandalf in “The Hobbit” now that the deal is settled?
A: 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.
Q: Have you been approached yet by Peter Jackson or anyone else about reprising your wonderful role as Gandalf for the two upcoming “Hobbit” movies. I read that principal photography begins in 2009, and I can’t imagine those movies without you!
A: Encouragingly, Peter and 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!
Read the complete Q&A over at Ian McKellen’s Official Website.
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