[Nick]

The Hobbit will be the first movie. The second movie will be something completely different, a bridge between The Hobbit and the LOTR trilogy based on other Tolkien source material. Personally I don't have high expectations for the second prequel, but The Hobbit should be great, especially with McKellan inked to return as Ganldalf the Grey.

Absolutely love the Lord of the Rings - I'm actually rereading it now with summer looming. Such an incredible universe and story.