McKellen on Hobbit: Yes, Please!

• Mar 28, 2008 05:05 PM ET
• by movienews

When asked by a fan on his website if he'd be playing Gandalf in the upcoming Lord of the Rings prequels, Ian McKellen said he would very much like to, but hasn't been asked.

Peter Jackson (who wrote, directed and produced the original trilogy) will be producing a two-film prequel based on another of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth-located novels, The Hobbit. McKellen, 68, played Gandalf, the White Wizard in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and earned a Best Supporting Actor nomination for the role.

McKellen, however, was optimistic, citing encouraging conversations with Jackson and producing partner Fran Walsh, who said they "couldn't imagine The Hobbit without their original Gandalf." - Mickey O'Connor