Ian McKellen says The Hunt For Gollum will be two films

He's also said he's keen to return as Gandalf for the project

Earlier this year,  it was announced that a new Lord of the Rings film was in the works. The Hunt for Gollum is slated for release in 2026 and will see Andy Serkis direct the project and reprise his role as the corrupted Hobbit.

So far, details about the project are pretty thin on the ground, with the films in early stages of development. All we really know is that, as the title suggests, it will focus on Gollum.

But now, one of the biggest stars of the Lord of the Rings films, Sir Ian McKellan, has said the project will consist of two films.

The legendary actor is known to millions worldwide for his role as Gandalf in the original trilogy, and during an appearance on This Morning, he was asked about whether he was interested in reprising his iconic role for Serkis' new project.

He told hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shepherd that he had been approached about the "films" and that a script would be arriving in the new year.

The 85-year-old added: "Then I'll judge whether I want to go back."

After Sir Ian used the word "films" to discuss the project, he was asked by Shepherd if that meant there would be more than one movie.

He responded: "I'm told there's two films."

But he added that he didn't know much else, saying: "I haven't read the script and I don't know when it is."

Sir Ian did seem to be keen to return for the films, saying that he doesn't "like the idea of anybody else playing Gandalf."

He also said he would love to return to New Zealand, where the original trilogy was filmed, although admitted he had no idea if The Hunt for Gollum would be filmed there.

"These days I could probably film it all in London, but I'd rather not," he added.

Another of the stars of the Lord of the Rings has also voiced his interested in returning for the upcoming films. Viggo Mortenson, who played Argorn in the Peter Jackson films, said in June that he'd be up for reprising his role if it made sense for the story.