McKellen, Serkis Verified To Return

Empire Magazine is reporting that they have confirmed that Sir Ian McKellen has agreed to return to the role of Gandalf the Grey and Andy Serkis will return as Gollum for the Hobbit movies. All that is left is to sign the (probably lucrative) contract.

Speaking at a special screening of The Dark Knight at London’s Imax cinema on Monday night, he said: "Well, I haven’t had the contract yet but it’s everyone’s intention that I play Gandalf so yes, I will be returning to the role. Although it’s not until 2010, I’m very much excited about returning.”

“Well, if you’re not going to have Peter Jackson, who else can handle the job? To get an international film-maker of his standing who adores the original trilogy, well I don’t think you could possibly find a better replacement,” he said. “I think the look will be very much as it was, Weta is still involved, it’s still the same workshops, the same designers, I’ll be there, Andy Serkis (now confirmed to return as Gollum) will be there and Peter Jackson will still be around - not that he’ll interfere too much - so it’ll seem like the old family is getting back together again.”

It seems most actors resent going back to characters they played in the past so it’s nice change of pace to see real enthusiasm over the idea.