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Sir Ian McKellen Confirms His Return in The Hobbit

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Source:  Empire Online
Empire Online recently caught up with Sir Ian McKellen and got the actor to admit that he was indeed coming back for The Hobbit and The Hobbit Sequel. And it seems he is quite ecstatic about reprising his role as Gandalf the Grey.

McKellen stated, "Yes, it's true. I spoke to Guillermo in the very room that Peter Jackson offered me the part and he confirmed that I would be reprising the role. Obviously, it's not a part that you turn down, I loved playing Gandalf. We talk occasionally and he's looking forward to coming out of retirement, yes. Guillermo will be getting around to starting the script in about six weeks when he's finished (editing) Hellboy II: The Golden Army."

About The Hobbit Sequel, Ian said, "Well I've read The Hobbit so I've got a good idea of what the story would be. But as to how it's going to work over two films and what is going to happen on screen, well Guillermo has not got down to working out the major details yet - I can tell you it's going to be amazing though."

About the proposed Magneto spin-off, McKellen noted, "They are making a Magneto spin-off but I don't think it will involve me because it's about the younger Magneto, it's a back-story. Would I be willing to return to play a young Magneto? A cameo in my own movie? I don't think so. I don't think I could get away with playing a 19-year-old."


19 Comments & Responses


May 1st, 2008 4:50am
noice play sir.. in my opinion, mcKellen was the uniting piece in the LOTR franchise.
 
May 1st, 2008 1:11am
This is awesome! So far this movie is off to a great start.
 
April 30th, 2008 9:57pm
Awesome news and thanks to del toro for bringing back to sir Ian McKellen both hobbit movie.
 
April 30th, 2008 6:04pm
Yeaaa great start.. Cant wait!!

I saw Pans Labyrinth.. wow freaky and cool!
 
April 30th, 2008 4:37pm
I cant wait to see Smaug, that is gonna be sick! The Hobbit rocks!
 
April 30th, 2008 3:02pm
OK CASTING DIRECTOR DONT SCREW THIS UP GREAT START!
 
April 30th, 2008 3:01pm
AWESOME SHAPING UP QUITE WELL!
 
April 30th, 2008 2:20pm
Checkmate!
 
April 30th, 2008 1:43pm
hell yeah..
 
April 30th, 2008 1:06pm
Awesome news. Good job del toro.
 
The Hobbit
Rating:NONE
Release:TBA 2011
Director:Guillermo del Toro
Studio:New Line Cinema
The Hobbit Sequel
Rating:NONE
Release:TBA 2012
Director:Guillermo del Toro
Studio:New Line Cinema
X-Men Origins: Magneto
Rating:NONE
Release:TBA 2009
Director:David S. Goyer
Studio:20th Century Fox
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