It might be too soon to call, but I think that this may be the best week for MGM in the past three years. On Monday it was announced that both Andy Serkis and Ian McKellen would be returning in their respective roles for Peter Jackson's The Hobbit and just this morning the next James Bond film, still tentatively titled Bond 23, was given a November 9, 2012 release date. Considering how rough it's been the classic studio in the last few years, however, they're due more than just three good news stories. So lets add a fourth, shall we?

On ChristopherLeeWeb.com, Christopher Lee's official website, it has been all but officially confirmed that the 88 year old actor will appear in the next film in the franchise, reprising his role as Saruman (yes, we know he's not in J.R.R. Tolkien's book, but apparently they've worked it out somehow). According to the website, the actor is still in talks but things now "look certain," provided that he is healthy enough.

Some of you may not know this, but Christopher Lee is a total and absolute badass who I'm 96% certain is immortal, so I'd be surprised if health actually turns out to be a factor. After all, how many octogenarians do you know that put out a symphonic metal album about Charlemagne last year?