Ian McKellen Confirmed to Reprise His Role as Gandalf in 'The Hobbit'

By Rebecca Macatee Posted Jan 10th 2011 07:33PM

Movieweb.com has confirmed that Ian McKellen will return to the role of Gandalf in the prequel to 'The Lord of The Rings.'

McKellen's character, a wizard, literally gets the adventure started in 'The Hobbit.' And while McKellen announced on his official website in November that he would reprise the role of Gandalf, the deal has just now become officially finalized.

Andy Serkis will be be returning as Gollum, and Elijah Wood will return as Frodo Baggins. Cate Blanchett is also confirmed to reprise her role as Galadriel. An offer is said to be out to Orlando Bloom, but no word yet on whether the new dad plans to return to his role as Legolas.

McKellen's good news comes after his recent crusade to help put an end to anti-gay bullying. The 71-year-old actor told PopEater he feels many agents and managers are still forcing stars to stay in the closet.

Production on 'The Hobbit' is scheduled to begin mid-February in New Zealand, and the film should hit theaters in November 2014.

Comments

(7)

Monday 10 January

By Vyvyan Pinches

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The lady's name is Galadriel. It's tough, but try to get them right.

By Danger

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Elijah will not be Frodo because Frodo was not alive, but it was his Uncle Bilbo that is in The Hobbit

By joe

I am having a hard time remembering Legolas showing up in The Hobbit either...

Tuesday 11 January

By Dalton

Danger-Did you think that maybe Frodo will indeed be in this movie - and the scenes will jump from "past" to "present-day" middle earth? Its just a thought. I don't know myself.

By Randall

Am wondering who is going to Play Bilbo as the actor who
played that role in The Lord of the Rings has died; the
name of the actor escapes me at the moment. Galadriel
was not in "The Hobbit" book, and Sauron was only known
as "The Necromancer." They had Green Elves in Mirkwood,
and the elves as described in "The Hobbit" are substantially
different than the elves as described in The Lord of the Rings.
Should be interesting as to how the writers are going to get
past those challenges and not get dissed in the process.
I do hope they get the Troll scene right and make the dragon
look realistic. The major B***h will be filming the Battle of
the Five armies at the end of the book.

I hope they pull this one off without detracting from the book.

By Kristen

I think you might be confused with someone else because the actor who played Bilbo (Ian Holm) is still alive. He's in his late 70s now.

I'm really looking forward to the movie, and I hope it's a good representation of the book.

Friday 28 January

By donacasale

I have been so wanting The Hobbit to be made, but I don't remeber, Galadriel Frodo, or Legolas in the Hobbit, but I believe Elrond was, and I don't see him mentioned at all!

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