Hugo Weaving will return to Middle Earth for The Hobbit

Straight from the horse's mouth (or wizard's so to speak), Sir Ian McKellen has confirmed on his blog that Hugo Weaving will be back as Elrond for The Hobbit .

It’s happy news for fans after months of rumours and speculation, with McKellen stating: "[The next few weeks of shooting] involve dwarves of course but also elves, with Hugo Weaving returning as Elrond."

Weaving has been working steadily since The Lord of the Rings came to an end, and recently completed filming on comic-book action epic, Captain America: The First Avenger .

McKellen also confirmed the involvement of Kiwi folk singer Bret McKenzie, who'll be reprising his role after cropping up for a 3-second cameo in the original LOTR trilogy.

For Doctor Who fans, seventh doctor Sylvester McCoy has also joined the cast as Radagast the Brown, an old chum of Gandalf the Grey.

The first instalment of The Hobbit is due for release in 2012, with the second part out in 2013.

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