Christopher Lee Agrees to Return to MIDDLE EARTH

YES, Thank You.
White Council Baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bring on the wizards.

Only three were ever named, I wonder what they'll come up with for the other colors?

Beautiful. Keep the good news coming.
How about the rumor that James McAvoy was being considered to fill Bilbo's shoes or should I say his prosthetic feet. I like the idea.

McAvoy is a good actor, but I can't quite picture him in the role of Bilbo for some reason... Something just doesn't seem right. How old was Bilbo in The Hobbit as compared to Frodo in Fellowship? I thought he was older, and McAvoy certainly doesn't look it.

I could be way off, though.

almostunbiased, the other two wizards were known as the Blue Wizards. Very little is known about them, most of it from Tolkien's marginal scribblings. They may have been named Alatar and Pallando. By most accounts, they were sent on a mission to eastern Middle Earth (you know, that "off the map" area past Rhun) on a mission to turn the tribes of that region against Sauron. The outcome of their mission was never known (even by Tolkien). So if they are faithful to Tolkien's writings, we'll never see the Blue Wizards in these movies. I'd love to see Radagast however. He's such a marginal character, and there's something fascinating about such a powerful individual effectively "going native" and pretty much disregarding his mission to commune with nature. No wonder Tolkien was such a hit with hippies!

Speaking of which, let's bring on the movie adaptation of The Adventures of Tom Bombadil! Hey dol! merry dol! ring a dong dillo!

Sportwarrior, Bilbo was 50 years old at the time that he was recruited for the adventure in The Hobbit. Frodo was 33 at the beginning of The Fellowship of the Ring (Bilbo's farewell party). However, 17 years passed before Gandalf returned to discover the true nature of Bilbo's ring, making Frodo 50 years old when he departed Bag End on his own adventure. I don't think Jackson's adaptation made this apparent to the movie viewers (nor was it particularly important to the story). Even though 50 is technically middle-aged for Hobbits, I always figured that most Hobbits retain a fairly youthful, child-like appearance for a good part of their life - probably all that fresh air, organic food, and pipeweed.

The dude is like 85 years old and still going on strong.

I have always liked Christopher Lee but as hanso pointed out, he's getting up there. If they are not going to start even shooting this thing until 2009 or 2010 life may eventually catch up wtih Lee. The thing that you have to remember is that he said he would come back, he hasn't been asked yet. I would like to see him back but I can understand their hesitation as I'm sure Lee can.

You know, the role of Bilbo apparently came down to Sir Ian Holm (77) and Sylvester McCoy (65). Now, being that McCoy is still my favorite Doctor, I would not be opposed to his playing Bilbo in The Hobbit if they need to recast. :)

Meh, McCoy was an okay Doctor, but of the old Doctors, I liked Pertwee and the Bakers better. No comparison to Tennant or Eccleston though, I know it's fashionable to always prefer the original but the new Doctor Who series is without peer, hell the only other sci-fi shows in the same league are Galactica and Torchwood. As for Bilbo, I like the idea of McAvoy best. His Leto II in Children of Dune was awesome, and how can you not love Mr. Tumnus? Picture him with curly hobbit hair, and he's dead on.

Lee is a must so they need to get moving on this pronto. I can't wait to see what Del Toro has planned for Ron Perlman. He'd be a hell of a candidate for Bard the Bowman.

okay, McAvoy is bilbo. He's perfect for the part as far as I am concerned. One vote for James...

Del Toro is bringing Ron Perlman into the picture? Interesting... I don't really see him as Bard, though. I would think maybe Beorn the shapeshifter or the Goblin-King.