Lord Of The Rings fans will have to wait another four years to get their next big screen fix of the franchise - its prequel The Hobbit has been postponed until 2012.

Earlier this year, it was announced Guillermo del Toro would direct the new film, based on J.R.R. Tolkien's novel.

Lord of the Rings Oscar winner Peter Jackson is producing the project, and he and del Toro will pen the screenplay.

Ian McKellen has already signed on to reprise his role of Gandalf, and Andy Serkis is expected to play Gollum once again.

Shooting was scheduled to start in New Zealand this winter, but it has now been postponed until 2010 - with the release day pushed back to 2012.

The reason for the delay is unknown.

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(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)