It's practically impossible to imagine another actor playing the role of Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings, and apparently, Sir Ian McKellen is in agreement.
The 85-year-old actor made history in Peter Jackson's legendary trilogy, and its subsequent spin-offs, where he played a wise wizard audiences have come to know and love as Gandalf the Grey (or technically the White if we want to be a little more accurate).
From the original trilogy to the Hobbit prequels, McKellen has played Gandalf time and time again to absolute perfection and has achieved what can only be considered every actor's dream in making and originating a character that is completely his. So much so, that he's perhaps made the task of another actor stepping into his wizardry shoes almost impossible.
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In fact, the actor is completely aware of it, succinctly telling the BBC Breakfast: "I'm not letting anyone else put on the pointy hat and beard if I can help it."
We have no notes. None whatsoever.
In his conversation with the BBC, McKellen was referencing an upcoming Lord of the Rings prequel film titled The Hunt for Gollum. Due to be released in 2026, Andy Serkis is slated to not only reprise the iconic titular role but is also set to direct the film.
McKellen has expressed interest in reprising his role as Gandalf for The Hunt for Gollum, and other future Lord of the Rings projects, telling The Big Issue, "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," he added. "When? I don't know. What the script is? It's not written yet. So, they better be quick."
The Lord of the Rings' ever-expanding roster so far includes Prime Video's prequel series, The Rings of Power, and an upcoming animated film titled The War of the Rohirrim slated to be released in December.
McKellen previously fell off stage in June while performing in Player Kings in London's West End. He sustained injuries to his wrist and vertebrae.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today program on the incident, McKellen shared that he was physically better but that '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,'" he added. "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."
Topics: Lord of the Rings, Celebrity, Film and TV
Yasmeen Hamadeh