From: B_Plenge@NoSpam.com   
      
   Sue H wrote:   
   > 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."   
      
   Though I can't say when it'll start filming there was a link about the JLA   
   movie that mentions (briefly, at the end) it will be shot in New Zealand.   
      
   http://www.superheroflix.com/news/13/27413.php   
      
   I'm trying to find confirmation that the project is still a go since a few   
   weeks back the Tolkien estate filed suit against New Line saying they   
   haven't been paid their royalties for the first 3 movies.   
      
      
   Best,   
   Bill   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)