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Sir Ian McKellen has revealed that he is very likely to play Gandalf in The Hobbit.
He confirmed that he is hoping to reprise his Oscar-nominated role in the upcoming adaptation of JRR Tolkien's Lord of the Rings prequel.
Peter Jackson will act as executive producer on the project, which will be split into two films.
McKellen wrote on his website: "Yes I will [be in it], 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.
"Encouragingly, Peter and [co-producer] Fran Walsh have told me they couldn't imagine The Hobbit without their original Gandalf.
"Their confidence hasn't yet been confirmed by the director Guillermo del Toro but I am keeping my diary free for 2009!"
Del Toro recently said he is "99%" likely to direct the two movies, which are due for release in 2010 and 2011.
McKellen spoke about his desire to reprise his role as the wizard last October.
