…if him and Peter Jackson have anything to do with it anyway. Ian McKellen often answers questions sent in by fans on his website, and today was the day a new batch was presented. You can check them all out by clicking here. They are all Lord of the Rings related and you can find out about some cool things that happened on set and some extra Rings knowledge. A couple of people asked McKellen about The Hobbit, and whether he would be returning.

Will you again be our Gandalf in “The Hobbit” now that the deal is settled?

A: Yes I will, if Peter Jackson and I have anything to do with it, he being the producer and me being, on the whole, a very lucky actor.

Q: Have you been approached yet by Peter Jackson or anyone else about reprising your wonderful role as Gandalf for the two upcoming “Hobbit” movies. I read that principal photography begins in 2009, and I can’t imagine those movies without you!

A: Encouragingly, Peter and Fran Walsh have told me they couldn’t imagine The Hobbit without their original Gandalf. Their confidence hasn’t yet been confirmed by the director Guillermo del Toro but I am keeping my diary free for 2009!

This is great news. Gandalf is probably my favourite character in the Lord of the Rings and Ian McKellen was a big reason for that. It’s also interesting to point out that Mckellen has been kept up to date with the project and is referring to Guillermo del Toro as the director, even though del Toro is still saying nothing has been signed yet.

McKellen also talked about New Line, as they were known for being a bit shifty when it came to paying people.

Bob Shaye (Co-Chairman) and Michael Lynne (COO), formerly at New Line, have always been friendly and supportive to me in person, though I did feel the need to tweak the latter’s nose once, when he seemed to be trying to diddle the cast of LOTR out of their well-earned share of the profits. It was at a party in Berlin after the opening of The Return of the King. I said “That’s for all the trouble you’ve been causing!” I don’t know who was more surprised: Michael, that I had taken his nose in my finger and thumb and twisted it gently, or me for having dared do it! At least one of us enjoyed it.