Legendary actor Ian McKellen has confirmed he will revive his famed role as wizard Gandalf in the movie adaptations of J.R.R. Tolkien's novel The Hobbit. McKellen, who has appeared as Gandalf in all three Lord Of The Rings films, had made no secret of his desire to land the part - even though Peter Jackson would not be directing.

Guillermo del Toro has been named as the director of the two movies to be made back-to-back in New Zealand - the first an adaptation of the novel, and the following an original story focusing on the 60 years between the book and the beginning of the Lord Of The Rings trilogy.

The actor tells Empire magazine, "Yes, It's true. It's not a part that you turn down. I loved playing Gandalf. 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."

He also confirmed that del Toro would be starting the script after he finishes filming his current project, Hellboy II: The Golden Army, in six weeks time, saying, "As to how it's going to work over two films and what 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."

-Check out Ian McKellen's Filmography

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)