Exclusive: McKellen IS Gandalf Sir Ian confirms wizard's return
After months of speculation, the cinematic legend that is Sir Ian McKellen has confirmed that he is indeed preparing to dust off his grey wizard robes and cultivate himself a long, flowing beard to play Gandalf in Guillermo Del Toro’s adaptation of The Hobbit.
Speaking at a special screening of The Dark Knight at London’s Imax cinema on Monday night, he said: "Well, I haven’t had the contract yet but it’s everyone’s intention that I play Gandalf so yes, I will be returning to the role. Although it’s not until 2010, I’m very much excited about returning.”
While the dotted line has yet to be formally signed upon, Sir Ian has spoken at length with Del Toro about the Lord Of The Rings prequels and he’s seemingly very happy at the idea of making the journey back to Middle Earth - albeit with a new director at the helm.
“Well, if you’re not going to have Peter Jackson, who else can handle the job? To get an international film-maker of his standing who adores the original trilogy, well I don’t think you could possibly find a better replacement,” he said. “I think the look will be very much as it was, Weta is still involved, it’s still the same workshops, the same designers, I’ll be there, Andy Serkis (now confirmed to return as Gollum) will be there and Peter Jackson will still be around - not that he’ll interfere too much - so it’ll seem like the old family is getting back together again.”
Watch this space for all the latest development from The Hobbit.
L: clarkkent
he;s too old? Anyone see the opening of X men 3?
sp;
Exactly, make up and CGI people, this is Hollywood were talking about after all. ... Read More
I can't imagine the Hobbit ever going ahead without McKellen 'returning' as Gandalf. They'd lose a lot of kudos if they used someone else when he practically owns that role. ... Read More
L: genlock
Gandalf was already extremely old by the time of the Hobbit. He'll be playing a Gandalf who's only several years younger than the Gandlaf of LotR, which is neglectable considering Gandalf is supposed to be several hundred years oldtime of The Hobbit Gandalf would be 60 years younger than he was at the start of LotR. Granted, the wizards do age extremely slowly so the difference wouldn't have been that great although in the book Frodo does note that he looks somewhat worse for w... Read More
Sir Ian McKellen is not too old to play Gandalf. Like genlock says, the character will be a few years younger than in LOTR (give or take a decade or two). But on screen you probably wont even notice this. Look at Hugo Weaving's character in LOTR. He was 3000 years old yet in the flashbacks could you tell how old he was then? Yet he barely looked a day older. So yes, it is a damn good thing that Sir Ian will be reprising his role as Gandalf. He is Gandalf. I cant see anyone else playing the wizar... Read More
This film will be epic! Second film will be awesome as long as it deals with the expulsion of the Necromancer whilst not protraiting Gandalf in a weak light (I mean he was owned against the nazgul lord even thou he wasnt a Maiar (demi god) AND the in the ROTK book its clearly a stand off arrrrhh!!) Ok Rant over. I'd really like to see a movie verison of Turin Turambar in the future, clearly the darkest and most tragic tale of Tolkien's legacy. ... Read More
