While he’s quick to point out that The Hobbit is “not Lord of the Rings,” Dominic Monaghan told MTV that he is open to joining the upcoming adaptations.

Monaghan, who played Merry in the three LOTR films, said neither the fans nor his former coworkers should worry about their popular trilogy being diluted. “It’s being produced by Peter Jackson, who obviously made the first films, and his special-effects company are making it,” he explained. “It’s directed by Guillermo del Toro, who I think, outside of Peter Jackson, would be the number-one person to give this any amount of the tenderness that it deserves. Obviously, Ian McKellen’s going to be back for it, and Andy Serkis is going to be back for it.”

So aside from the already-cast characters, could other Rings vets be included in the film? Even if they weren’t in the book? “We’re not in The Hobbit, no, but I think the idea in [Jackson’s, Del Toro’s and the other producers’] heads is that the trilogy of the Lord of the Rings films was so beloved by the fans that they’re really keen to try to say thank you for the support that they gave to the Lord of the Rings movies and possibly bring back some of those characters that they know and love,” he teased.

The first installment of The Hobbit is slated for a 2010 release. The sequel will then follow in 2011.