It’s hard not to be excited for the upcoming film adaptation of The Hobbit. After Peter Jackson’s wonderful direction of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, the bar is set pretty high. But before the events that set the story into motion can hit the big screen, there is one important element that needs to be ironed out. Thankfully, for those of you worried about the possible recasting of pivotal roles, you can rest a bit easier; Ian McKellan has officially signed on to reprise his role as Gandalf the Grey. Following news that Andy Serkis, Elijah Wood, and Cate Blanchett would reprise their roles as Gollum, Frodo, and Galadriel, news broke Monday, January 10th that Ian McKellen had finally signed on.
Still in negotiations to reprise their roles for the film are Hugo Weaving as Elrond and Orlando Bloom as Legolas. The film is scheduled to begin shooting on February 14th in New Zealand.
[via The Hollywood Reporter]