Thaindian News

Sep 14 (THAINDIAN NEWS) Sir Ian McKellen was asked back in 2008 to return to the “Lord of the Rings” films by Guillermo del Toro, and he agreed. In July of 2010, however, he made it known on New Zealand’s ‘Good Morning Show’ that he may not be able to hold up to his end of the deal, due to the consistent delays in filming the prequels to the hobbit movies.

“Well, I’m not under contract and my time is running out and I’m enjoying working in the theater and frankly, I would like to race after doing ‘Waiting For Godot,’ get on with doing another play but we’ll have to see. I don’t give the producers the impression that I’m sitting waiting,” Sir Ian stated a few months ago.

But there is good news for fans of Gandalf the Grey. It has just been announced that the filming for the next hobbit film will begin in January, and the Ian will indeed come back to play the part of Gandalf once again. Once the production dates were actually set, he excitedly agreed to the role once again.

Guillermo del Toro will not be returning, however, since he backed out over the same delays which almost cost the fans their Gandalf. Peter Jackson has taken over as director of the film, and Ian seems ready to begin the role again. “Yes, it’s true. It’s not a part that you turn down. I loved playing Gandalf. 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,” he confirmed.