Ian Mckellen's 383-day Film

Ian McKellen will spend 383 days filming 'The Hobbit'.

The Hollywood actor - who has signed up to reprise his role as wizard Gandalf in the 'Lord of the Rings' prequel - has been told he will be in front of the camera for over a year by director Guillermo de Toro.

He said: "The scripts for the two films will be delivered very soon. Then they'll be budgeted, and then they'll be cast. And they'll be going when they've always said they would be, which is next spring - March or April. Guillermo even told me at one point, 'We're going to film for 383 days.' He's got that artistic autism! Producer Peter Jackson's the same; they're very, very, very alike. They're also very different, but they've so much in common."

The 70-year-old star says he loves working with the "brilliant" moviemakers because of their enthusiasm and imagination.

He told Empire Online: "They both can't stand Hollywood and have wonderful imaginations, and they're both obsessed with gore and fantasy. Both of them laugh a great deal. Guillermo's one of the most brilliant men I've ever met. His English vocabulary is way superior to mine!"

The Hollywood veteran also revealed his 'Lord of the Rings' co-stars are unlikely to be reprising their roles in the upcoming blockbuster.

He quipped: "Unforunately, there won't be many of the actors going back unless they're going to put masks on and be disguised as dwarves! Andy Serkis is, at the moment, I think, the only other actor who's doing this film."

James McAvoy, Martin Freeman, David Tennant and Daniel Radcliffe have all been rumoured to be in consideration for the lead role.