Sir Ian McKellen Dismisses Retirement Rumors, Expresses Desire to Return as Gandalf
Recently, we announced that a new The Lord of the Rings film is set for release in 2026, with Peter Jackson returning to the franchise as a producer. The film, titled The Hunt for Gollum, will also see Andy Serkis stepping in as director and reprising his iconic role. This exciting news reignited fan discussions and speculation about the return of beloved characters and actors.
One character in particular has sparked debate: Gandalf. With Sir Ian McKellen, the actor behind Gandalf, now 85 years old, fans are questioning whether he will be able to reprise his legendary role. McKellen has recently addressed these speculations.
Recently, we shared that McKellen addressed the possibility of returning as Gandalf. His response was neither particularly enthusiastic nor dismissive, but the actor did convey a strong desire to don the costume once more.
“If you want to know that you are mortal you just have to look at your address book. And so when a script comes through, or the hint of an offer, you think, ‘This might be my last job. No. I’m not doing that.’ So if Falstaff is my last job, I’d better get it right, hadn’t I? (…) And I haven’t shaved in months. But there is no script, there is no offer, there is no plan. (…) If I’m alive.”
Source: The Times
However, in a subsequent conversation with Big Issue, he expressed much greater enthusiasm and determination about returning to the role, as his comments reveal:
“Enthusiasm for The Lord of the Rings shows no sign of abating. I can’t tell you any more than that. I’ve just been told there are going to be more films and Gandalf will be involved and they hope that I’ll be playing him. When? I don’t know. What the script is? It’s not written yet. So, they better be quick.”
Source: BBC
This enthusiasm comes in the wake of his recent stage accident, which led some to worry that he might be too old for acting. However, McKellen has firmly rejected these concerns:
“It’s emotionally that I’ve got some residue that I’ve got to deal with. I said to myself as I tripped and slid off the stage, ‘This is the end’. These were the words in my mind, ‘This is the end’. And apparently I shouted out, ‘my neck is broken, I’m dying’. I don’t remember saying that, so there was a lot going on in my head as the body responded to the fall. Of course, it’s emotional. We all trip all our lives, it’s just when you get to my age you can’t always get up again. I’m usually working or preparing to work, I’ve been doing a little bit of that, wondering what might be the best plan. I’m going to take the rest of the year off. Not because I need to, just because I want to.”
Clearly, McKellen is eager to make a return, and as the saying goes, where there’s a will, there’s a way. Got any thoughts? Share them in the comments below!
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