His fans believe he'd be a most precious asset to the prequels.

Sir IAN McKELLEN, who mesmerized as Gandalf the Wizard in the 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy, may very well get to reprise the role in 'The Hobbit' films, the Associated Press reports. Asked by a fan if he planned on returning to Middle Earth for the two, upcoming 'L.O.T.R.' prequels, McKellen replied on his Web site:

"Yes, I will, if PETER JACKSON and I have anything to do with it, he being the producer and me being, on the whole, a very lucky actor," he said, adding: "Encouragingly, Peter and (partner) FRAN WALSH have told me they couldn't imagine 'The Hobbit' without their original Gandalf."

But in an afterthought bound to get some fans' nerves bubbling like a tar pit in Mordor, the veteran actor conceded: "Their confidence hasn't yet been confirmed by the director, GUILLERMO DEL TORO, but I am keeping my diary free for 2009!"