Actor Ian McKellan is reprising his role as the wizard Gandalf in The Hobbit. He confirmed on his website that filming will start in New Zealand in June.
His website says, "The Hobbit, two films, start shooting in New Zealand in June. Filming will take over a year."
The statement goes on to say, "Casting in Los Angeles, New York City and London has started. The script too proceeds. The first draft is crammed with old and new friends, again on a quest in Middle Earth."
The script was written by Peter Jackson and Guillermo del Toro will be the director. Jackson will be an executive producer.
The Hobbit was written in 1937 by J.R.R. Tolkien. It takes place before The Lord of the Rings trilogy. The story centres on Bilbon Sacquet who tries to save a stolen treasure with the help of his wizard friend, Gandalf.
There will be lots of trolls and dragons and Andy Serkis returns to portray Gollum.
Ian McKellan adds that Guillermo del Toro moved to Wellington, New Zealand, near Jackson’s home and Miramax studio.
The Hobbit films will be released in 2012.
Ian McKellan also lent his voice to the film A Lost and Found Box of Human Sensation which is being released this week.