Ian McKellen to reprise Gandalf role
LONDON (AP) -April 30, 2008 But McKellen's publicist warned that final arrangements were yet
to be made.
"Of course he wants to do it, but nothing's been agreed or
signed," Clair Dobbs said.
Empire magazine's Web site quoted McKellen as saying that
director Guillermo del Toro told him he would again be playing the
white-haired wizard.
"He confirmed that I would be reprising the role," the
magazine quoted McKellen as saying. "Obviously, it's not a part
that you turn down, I loved playing Gandalf."
McKellen's sonorous interpretation of Gandalf in the "Lord of
the Rings" trilogy delighted fans and critics, earning him an
Academy Award nomination for best supporting actor.
The 68-year-old British actor previously told The Associated
Press that he would hate to see anyone else play the role.
The "Lord of the Rings" movies, based on the Tolkien book
series of the same name, were extremely lucrative, grossing some
$2.8 billion at theaters worldwide.
"The Hobbit" is being produced by Peter Jackson, the director
of the "Rings" movies, and is likely to be filmed in his home
country of New Zealand next year.