Ian McKellen Open to Returning as Gandalf in New ‘Lord of the Rings’ Films

Ian McKellen Open to Returning as Gandalf in New ‘Lord of the Rings’ Films

As a fan, I am absolutely thrilled by the news that Sir Ian McKellen is considering reprising his iconic role as Gandalf in the upcoming new Lord of the Rings films. His portrayal of the wise and powerful wizard has been a beloved part of my childhood and continues to inspire me as an adult.


Ian McKellen says he’s open to returning as Gandalf in the upcoming new Lord of the Rings films.

During a conversation with the British publication, The Big Issue, the actor expressed his plans to reprise his renowned character, the grey pilgrim.

“Just now, I learned there might be additional movies on the horizon, with Gandalf being part of them, and they’re hoping I’ll take on that role. As for when these films will be made or what the storylines are, those details aren’t set in stone yet. So, they need to move quickly!”

McKellen portrayed Gandalf in the first three LOTR films as well as the Hobbit movies.

In May, David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Bros., announced that they are currently in the initial phase of writing scripts for new “Lord of the Rings” movies, which are expected to hit cinemas in 2026. These films will delve into untold stories within Middle-earth. The first movie, produced by New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Pictures, is tentatively titled “Lord of the Rings: The Pursuit of Gollum“, with Andy Serkis slated to both star in and direct this upcoming feature film.

Peter Jackson, along with his frequent collaborators Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, will oversee the project in its entirety and serve as producers. The duo of Boyens and Walsh will be responsible for penning the script.

On Tuesday, a fresh interview surfaced, featuring remarks by the 85-year-old actor, who last spoke publicly after an incident during a stage performance at the Noël Coward Theatre in London. The incident occurred when McKellen, playing John Falstaff in a dual production of Henry IV, Parts One and Two, stumbled during a fight scene and fell off the stage. Consequently, the show was halted, and the audience was asked to leave the theater. Subsequently, McKellen had to call off his subsequent performances, including a U.K. tour of the play, with David Semark stepping in for him.

Recently, McKellen shared on social media that he has received treatment from a team of experts, specialists, and nurses affiliated with the National Health Service for his injuries. He expressed his deep gratitude towards them as they have assured him of a swift and full recovery. He is excited about getting back to work soon.

“McKellen shared that he’s been feeling quite tired physically, so he’s taking up exercises to help. He also mentioned that it’s not just his body that’s affected; the situation is emotional as well. As we age, falls can happen, and sometimes, like in my case, it’s harder to bounce back.”

He mentioned, “I’m trying to convince myself it was merely an accident.” He continued, “Typically, I’m busy with work or getting ready for it, and I’ve been doing a bit of that lately, pondering the best course of action. I’ve decided to take the remainder of this year off – not because I need to, but simply because I want to.”

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2024-09-03 00:24