Ian McKellen
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Actor Ian McKellen, best known as Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings films, and Magneto in the X-Men films, recently spoke to Empire Magazine about the forthcoming adaptation of J.R.R Tolkien's The Hobbit and its following sequel.

Here is what McKellan had to say about the Guillermo Del Toro-directed projects:

"The scripts for the two films will be delivered very soon," he revealed. "Then they'll be budgeted, and then they'll be cast. And they'll be going when they've always said they would be, which is next spring – March or April. Guillermo even told me at one point, 'We're going to film for 383 days.' He's got that artistic autism! Jackson's the same; they're very, very, very alike. They also very different, but they've so much in common. They both can't stand Hollywood and have wonderful imaginations, and they're both obsessed with gore and fantasy. Both of them laugh a great deal. Guillermo's one of the most brilliant men I've ever met. His English vocabulary is way superior to mine!"

Read more of what he had to say here, including some thoughts on the X-Men spinoff Magneto.

In a new interview with Rotten Tomatoes, Ian McKellen spoke on The Hobbit.

Specifically, the veteran actor said he can't wait to portray Gandalf the Grey again.

"Grey Gandalf is my favorite," he said. "Peter Jackson's too, we always preferred Gandalf the Grey. Peter liked him because he got down and dirty. He slept in the hedgerows; he was closer to the earth and not quite so spiritual. He's also funnier - he's got more variety to him. We thought there was more scope in that Gandalf."

The first of the two Hobbit movies will be released in December of 2011. 

Ian McKellen will revisit the role of Gandalf in The Hobbit.

But the veteran actor is most excited to discuss a part he's not guaranteed to ever play ever again. McKellen wants to reprise Magneto, even if it's only a small part.

"There is a script knocking around for a spinoff, but it will be a younger Magneto, so if I were involved it would be just topping and tailing the story," the actor told BBC News.

If a Magneto film does go forward, it would be e the second spinoff featuring an X-Men character. As many movie fans know - and are excited for - Hugh Jackman is already been hard at work on a Wolverine movie. It's coming out in May 2009.

McKellen, meanwhile, said Marvel Comics sees the character of Magneto – a Holocaust survivor who leads an army of oppressed, super-powered mutants – as someone almost anyone can relate to.

"Marvel told me that this is their favorite because it has a social purpose and the strongest demographic are young blacks, Jews and gays who respond to the idea that society does treat some adults as mutants," the actor noted.

Great news, movie fans!

Ian McKellen will reprise the role of the Gandalf in the upcoming movies based on J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit.

Beloved filmmaker Guillermo del Toro is set to direct two films based on this book.

"Yes, it's true," McKellen said. "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."

The actor added:

"But as to how it's going to work over two films and what's 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."

So far we know that Guillermo del Toro has signed up as the director for The Hobbit prequels.  We also know that Peter Jackson will server as producer this time around.

However, thanks to some questions and answers by Sir Ian McKellen on his blog, we can pretty much guarantee he'll be returning as Gandalf.  McKellen has previously expressed interest in the part, but now it nice to hear the powers that be agree!

Q: Have you been approached yet by Peter Jackson or anyone else about  reprising your wonderful role as Gandalf for the two upcoming  "Hobbit" movies. I read that principal photography begins in 2009,  and I can't imagine those movies without you!

A: Encouragingly, Peter and Fran Walsh have told me they couldn't imagine The Hobbit without their original Gandalf.  Their confidence hasn't yet been confirmed by the director Guillermo del Toro but I am keeping my diary free for 2009!

Q: So has it come to pass, good Sir McKellen? Shall  the dreaming masses with their musty books and  their blackened pipes at long last hear those  immortal words issue from under that famous nose?  "Yes, yes, my dear sir-and I know your name, Mr.  Bilbo Baggins. And you do know my name, though  you don't remember that I belong to it. I am  Gandalf, and Gandalf means me! To think I should  have lived to be good-morninged by Belladonna  Took's son, as if I was selling buttons at the door!"  Looking about, I find I share the same hopes as  millions of others, so I ask, a single query in a  chorus... Will you again be our Gandalf in "The  Hobbit" now that the deal is settled?

A: Yes I will, if Peter Jackson and I have anything to do with it, he being the producer and me being, on the whole, a very lucky actor.  I've just read your quote out loud - fabulous speech.

You can read the rest of McKellen's Lord of the Rings Posts at his E-Post.

Sir Ian McKellen hasn't forgotten about Gandalf - and here's the best news for fans of this wizard:

The British actor expects to reprise his Oscar-nominated role for the much anticipated The Hobbit, whether or not Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson is behind the camera for it.

McKellen told Reuters: "When Peter announced he had withdrawn from The Hobbit, he sent me an e-mail saying 'Because I am not going to do it, it doesn't mean you have to do the same. Of course, you must play Gandalf whether I direct or not.'"

The 68 year-old veteran of the big screen continued:

"I am glad to read that (The Hobbit) is looking more and more likely. ... I would be disappointed if they didn't want to have the original Gandalf. I suppose if I am still functioning and working well, it is very likely I would be asked to do it and if I were, I would be very pleased to do it."

It was recently reported that New Line Cinema and Jackson are trying to mend fences in an effort to finally bring the J.R.R. Tolkien tale to the big-screen.

Both sides have been engaged in a heated lawsuit over profits from the original trilogy, which led to studio boss Robert Shaye banning Jackson from working on any New Line pic including The Hobbit.