Ian McKellen is officially going to play Gandalf again in The Hobbit. Empire is reporting the actor saying "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.” He also spoke of the inclusion of a new director to the franchise, Guillermo Del Toro: "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 (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." We think it’s time for fans of the trilogy to start getting excited...
