Gandalf himself – better known as Sir Ian McKellen – has posted on his website that he’ll start shooting the first Hobbit movie in July.

While New Line Cinema has yet to make any official announcement about the movie or the cast, we’re frankly inclined to believe Sir Ian.

He goes on to relate the following: “Filming will take over a year. Casting in Los Angeles, New York City and London has started. The script too proceeds. The first draft is crammed with old and new friends, again on a quest in Middle Earth. The director Guillermo del Toro is now living in Wellington, close to the Jacksons' and the studio in Miramar. “

Much of which we could have guessed, but when Gandalf tells you it’s happening, you listen. Besides: wizards are subtle, and quick to anger, so best not to argue while he's speaking.

Sir Ian, who played the wise wizard Gandalf in the landmark Lord of the Rings film trilogy, lived in New Zealand for most of the year 2000 as he filmed with acclaimed director Peter Jackson.