Now that The Hobbit has broken free from the quagmire of MGM’s financial woes and departing directors we are starting to hear more and more details of the film as it nears production and its casting has been in the news recently.

In the last few days it was confirmed that Cate Blanchett, Elijah Wood, Andy Serkis and Sir Ian McKellen would be joining Peter Jackson’s return to Middle Earth with Martin Freeman as the young Bilbo Baggins, while Ian Holm is rumoured to be reprising his role as the older incarnation of the hobbit.

And it appears that another name synonymous with Jackson’s Middle Earth was Sir Christopher Lee, who according to his official website, is set to about to sign up as well.

Sir. Christopher Lee had been in talks to reprise his role as the wizard Saruman and it now looks certain, providing that he is in good health, that he will be appearing in the movie.

The legendary actor is returning to his roots in more ways than one with forthcoming roles in the next Hammer Horror, The Resident, and a part in Robin Hardy’s return to Summerisle for The Wicker Tree.