Ian McKellen is Gandalf Again in The Hobbit

You know, for a 68-year-old guy, Ian McKellen is incredibly spry. I can only hope I have half the energy this guy seems to have at this age, then I, too, can co-star in two of the biggest franchises in cinematic history — first in the “X-Men” films, then in the “Lord of the Rings” films, where McKellen will return when Guillermo Del Toro takes over the directorial reins from Peter Jackson for the two “Hobbit” films. McKellen will be back to play Gandalf, the wizard with the funky hat.

More from Reuters:

“Yes, it’s true,” McKellen told Empire magazine.

“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. Obviously, it’s not a part that you turn down, I loved playing Gandalf.”

Del Toro will be moving to New Zealand for four years to do the two films, which are prequels to the events of the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. LOTR mastermind Peter Jackson will produce for New Line Cinema.