McKellen, New Zealand location confirmed for Hobbit films

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2008

WELLINGTON (AFP) — Sir Ian McKellen will return in the role of Gandalf for two big-budget movies based on the JRR Tolkein book "The Hobbit," the films' director Guillermo del Toro confirmed Sunday.

Both movies would be filmed entirely in New Zealand, where the Oscar-winning Tolkien "Lord of the Rings" trilogy was shot.

Mexican film-maker del Toro and the Hobbit films' executive producer Peter Jackson released details of the latest project during an hour-long live Internet chat with fans.

Del Toro said "Lord of The Rings" stars McKellen and Andy Serkis (Gollum) would return for the Hobbit films but actors for new characters were not yet decided.

Jackson said Hobbiton would be rebuilt "bigger and even better than it was" in the "Lord of the Rings."...