Ian McKellan and Andy Serkis Join "The Hobbit"

Thanks to IMDb.com, I found this article at Aceshowbiz.com, which reports that Ian McKellan and Andy Serkis have signed on to reprise their Lord of the Rings role in The Hobbit movies.  McKellan, who played Gandalf, and Serkis, who played Gollum, join Cate Blanchett and Elijah Wood, who are already signed to reprise their roles.

Orlando Bloom is still in talks to return as the elf Legolas. [NOTE:  I loves me some Legolas.]  Christopher Lee is reportedly in talks to return as the wizard Saruman, and Ian Holm may return as an older version of Bilbo Baggins.

Martin Freeman will portray the main character, (the younger) Bilbo Baggins.  The Hobbit, based upon the novel by J.R.R. Tolkien, will be adapted as two movies.  Part 1 is scheduled to arrive in December 2012, and "The Hobbit 2" in December 2013.