Sir Ian McKellen back for a spell

One of the stars of the Lord of the Rings movie trilogy is poised to return to the Hobbiton set in Matamata.

The cast for executive producer Peter Jackson's film, The Hobbit, has yet to be officially announced.

But British actor Sir Ian McKellen – best known for his role as Gandalf in the Rings sword and sorcery epic – said on his website that he would reprise the role of the grey-haired wizard and expected shooting to begin this June.

Filming will take place throughout 2010 in New Zealand, with director Guillermo Del Toro renovating the elaborate Hobbiton village sets in Matamata for the movie, which is expected to be shot over 370 days and released in two parts.

While in New Zealand, Sir Ian will also perform in Samuel Beckett's classic existential play Waiting for Godot at the St James Theatre in Wellington. Its run starts on June 30.