For those of us who loved The Lord of the Rings trilogy of films (I know that I certainly did, especially the second film), there is great news.  Sir Ian McKellen is set to reprise his role in JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit.

The book is set to be made into two films, planned for back-to-back release in 2010 and 2011 respectively.  For those who don’t know much about the book, it is a prequel of sorts to The Lord of the Rings and sets up a wonderful story of its own, featuring Gandalf and Bilbo Baggins, along with a host of other interesting characters.

This time round, rather than Peter Jackson directing, we have the one and only Guillermo del Toro.  Where this up-and-coming director finds the time we’ll never know, but one can only hope that his projects just keep getting better and better.  Apparently scripting is due to begin in a few short weeks – as soon as Hellboy 2 is finished.

In a move that will have some jumping for joy (and others no doubt worried by this development) the first film will be the whole book, whilst the second will be a sequel of sorts showing what happens in the 60 years between The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring.  Whatever the case, I’m sure that Sir McKellen will put in another wonderful performance.

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