Ian McKellen may quit `The Hobbit`

Los Angeles: Veteran actor Ian McKellen says he might walk out of the new film `The Hobbit` if its makers don`t announce the start date or new director soon.

"Well I`m not under contract and my time is running out. I`m enjoying working in the theatre and frankly, I would like to race after doing `Waiting For Godot`, get on with doing another play. But we`ll have to see," aceshowbiz.com quoted him as saying. The 71-year-old would love to do other things than waiting indefinitely for "The Hobbit". "I don`t give the producers the impression that I`m sitting waiting," he said. After director Guillermo del Toro left the project, rumours were abuzz that "Lord of the Rings" director Peter Jackson will be directing it. However, nothing has been confirmed. IANS