If the name Ian McKellen sounds familiar to you, that means you are one of us. The English actor, famous for decades in the world of theater, became famous in the 2000s when he played the most beloved wizard in all of Middle-earth.
Now, 24 years after his first appearance in the movies dressed in a robe and staff, he reveals that he has been offered once again to wear the hat and resume his role as Gandalf.
It seems that Sir Ian McKellen could reprise his beloved role as J.R.R. Tolkien’s wizard after revealing that he has been offered to participate in the new Lord of the Rings movies, which will tell the story of hunting for Gollum before the events of The Fellowship of the Ring.
Gandalf joins the cast, who else will join?
McKellen declared to The Big Issue: ‘The enthusiasm for The Lord of the Rings shows no signs of diminishing… I can’t say anything else. I’ve just been told that there will be more movies and that Gandalf will be involved and they hope that I will play him.’
The 85-year-old actor, who is recovering from a fall on the stage of Player Kings in London’s West End, added: ‘When? I don’t know. What’s the script? It hasn’t been written yet. So they better hurry up.’
In another interview with BBC Breakfast, McKellen said he has no plans to retire from acting. ‘I will continue with this as long as my legs, lungs, and mind keep working,’ said the actor, who is promoting his new film The Critic.
What do we know about the movie The Hunt for Gollum?
Warner Bros. Discovery announced in May that Andy Serkis will direct and star in two new LOTR movies: The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum. The release of the first movie is scheduled for 2026.
Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, co-writers of the original trilogy script, will write the screenplay, along with Phoebe Gittins and Arty Papageorgiou (The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim).
Peter Jackson will be in charge of the production. McKellen played Gandalf in all of Jackson’s original films and in The Hobbit trilogy. Therefore, his return to the franchise would be a great boost for Andy Serkis.
