Kiwi film-maker Peter Jackson wants to use the same New Zealand locations from The Lord of the Rings, as well as the same actors, for The Hobbit and a sequel that will be shot in 2010.

It will include rebuilding the elaborate Hobbiton village on a farm in Matamata, which is now a tourist attraction.

Jackson revealed further plans for the US$150 million (NZ$190 million) project in a record-breaking one-hour "live chat" on the Internet yesterday with the films' director, Guillermo del Toro, in London.

About 5500 people registered to participate - breaking the previous record of 5000 for a live Internet chat by the Spice Girls.

They asked about 7000 questions, which were whittled down to about 20.

Several wanted to know whether New Zealand's scenery, one of the most praised features in Jackson's trilogy, would be used.

"We hope, with the permission of the land owner, that we will rebuild Hobbiton bigger and even better than what it was for Lord of the Rings in exactly the same location," said Jackson, the films' executive producer.

"It is unlikely we will need any locations outside of New Zealand which has always been the perfect Middle-earth."

Hobbiton Movie Set and Farm Tours managing director Russell Alexander referred any questions to Jackson's film company.

The set has been returned to its natural state, but 17 of the 37 hobbit holes and some structures have been left. Thousands of tourists each year still visit it.

The most common question was whether any of the stars of The Lord of the Rings would return for The Hobbit and the second film. Other than Sir Ian McKellen as Gandalf and Andy Serkis as Gollum, others still had to be cast.

"Unequivocally, every single actor that originated a role in the trilogy will be asked to participate and reprise it," del Toro said. "If health, availability or willingness become obstacles - only in that case recasting would be considered.

"Apart from extreme circumstances, we would never recast a character who appeared in the Lord or the Rings trilogy," said Jackson.

The hobbit Bilbo, played by British actor Sir Ian Holm in The Lord of the Rings, is the central character in The Hobbit.

Jackson said preproduction on the two films would take place next year, and back-to-back shooting throughout 2010. The Hobbit would be released in December 2011 - the 10th anniversary of the release of the first Lord of the Rings film. The second film, still to be titled, would be released in 2012.

THE FELLOWSHIP

Peter Jackson and director Guillermo del Toro want to cast the same actors from The Lord of the Rings whose characters are in The Hobbit.

* Sir Ian McKellen as Gandalf (confirmed).

* Andy Serkis as Gollum (confirmed).

* Sir Ian Holm as the hobbit Bilbo.

* Hugo Weaving as the elf Elrond.

* Jackson, del Toro, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens are writing the script.

* Canadian composer Howard Shore, who worked on The Lord of the Rings, is likely to compose the score.

* Artists Alan Lee and John Howe – who worked on The Lord of the Rings – are working on The Hobbit.

* American actor Ron Perlman, who stars in del Toro's Hellboy and Hellboy 2, is likely to have a part.

* Preproduction next year, and back-to-back shooting in 2010 with The Hobbit released in December 2011 and the second film in 2012.