From: dahoov2@cox.net   
      
   Anyone know when they'll start this? I know Peter Jackson is back   
   IN... so that's making me very happy.   
      
   WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) -- Ian McKellen, who played Gandalf the   
   Wizard in the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, is hoping to reprise the   
   role in another tale from Middle Earth.   
      
      
   Ian McKellen told fans that he would like to play the role of Gandolf   
   in "The Hobbit."   
      
    A fan asked McKellen on the actor's official Web site if he would   
   play the role of Gandalf in "The Hobbit," which is being produced by   
   Peter Jackson, director of the "Rings" trilogy.   
      
   "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,"   
   McKellen, 68, said in a reply dated Wednesday.   
      
   Jackson reached a deal with New Line Cinema late last year to make two   
   films of J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit," a planned prequel to the   
   blockbuster "Rings" trilogy. Jackson will serve as executive producer   
   for the "The Hobbit" movies.   
      
   Another fan asked: "Have you been approached yet by Peter Jackson or   
   anyone else" to play the ancient Wizard?"   
      
   McKellen replied: "Encouragingly, Peter and (partner) Fran Walsh have   
   told me they couldn't imagine `The Hobbit' without their original   
   Gandalf."   
   		   
      
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    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)