Scottish actor Sylvester McCoy, famous for his role as sci-fi's Dr Who in the 1980s, was this weekend cast as wizard Radagast the Brown in the film.
Speaking at the Armageddon Expo in Auckland yesterday, McCoy said he - like all of New Zealand - was still waiting to hear where and when filming would go ahead.
His London agent had even set up a Google alert to find out information about the project.
McCoy said he flew to Wellington on Thursday for meetings with Jackson and co-producer and co-writer Philippa Boyens about The Hobbit. "They are wishing they can just get on with it," he said.
Despite being cast, McCoy has not yet signed a contract. And he has not talked to any New Zealand actors about the industrial issues nor his colleague and fellow cast member Sir Ian McKellen, tipped to play Gandalf again.
McCoy starred opposite McKellen in the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of King Lear that toured New Zealand in 2007.
On that trip, Jackson hosted McCoy at his country estate in the Wairarapa. "There are secret passages, a man-made lake and a man-made island, a ruined castle with tunnels. It's great. They are very kind, welcoming people."
McCoy said: "Everybody wants to make it here.
"It would be horrible if it was made anywhere else."
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