Thanks to Ringer Kookie for sending in this tip! On wednesday (or around there), Sir Ian McKellen’s official website (McKellen.com) made an update to its ‘2010’s Film’ section. While we don’t have an official press release yet, the update to his website seems to imply he is coming back as Gandalf for ‘The Hobbit’ films:

THE HOBBIT’s, two films, start shooting in New Zealand in February 2011.  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 HOBBIT
Director: Peter Jackson
Role: Gandalf

Again, we do not have an official press release yet. Afterall, it is a US Holiday and I’m sure the PR team for the films are still recovering from a heaping portion of Turkey. (I know I am!) But light those beacons folks, “Hope is kindled.” [McKellen.com]