The Lord of the Rings franchise is incomplete without Gandalf and by default, Sir Ian McKellen. In the six decades of his acting career, if there is one character that McKellen will always be remembered for, it is Gandalf. Luckily for fans, he is adamant to keep it that way if his recent comments are anything to go by.
The Lord of the Rings, based on J. R. R. Tolkien’s eponymous novel, is one of the most popular fantasy adventure film franchises. Directed by Peter Jackson, the first movie was released over two decades ago. So far, there have been six movies in the franchise and McKellen has portrayed Gandalf in all of them. Now, with a spin-off movie in the making, he does not seem to be willing to let go of the character yet.
Sir Ian McKellen Refuses to Let Any Other Actor Portray Gandalf
Some movies and shows are evergreen no matter how much time has passed and how much the world has evolved. For instance, the Harry Potter movies and the sitcom FRIENDS. The Lord of the Rings is also one such franchise. Similarly, some actors have a special place in everyone’s hearts for playing that one beloved character fans can never get enough of.
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Just like it is hard to imagine anyone replacing Hugh Jackman as the mutant Marvel superhero Wolverine, fans cannot fathom any other actor playing Gandalf apart from Sir Ian McKellen. Fortunately, the actor loves starring as Gandalf as much as the audience loves to watch him do it if not more. The Good Liar actor expressed as much in an interview with BBC Breakfast (via BBC).
I’m not letting anyone else put on the pointy hat and beard if I can help it.
That said, he also stated that he is not planning on retiring from acting any time soon.
I shall just keep at it as long as the legs and the lungs and the mind keep working.
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He revealed that he will be taking the rest of this year off just because he wants to and not because he needs to. Since The Hunt for Gollum is set for a 2026 release, chances are that the filming will begin in 2025 just in time for McKellen to resume acting too.
The Accident Took an Emotional Toll on Sir Ian McKellen
In June, McKellen fell off the stage while performing as John Falstaff in Player Kings in London’s West End. Due to the accident, his wrist broke and one of his vertebrae chipped. Despite this, he does not wish to discontinue acting.
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The actor revealed to BBC Radio 4’s Today program that he was physically alright, but he still needs to work on his emotional health.
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.
McKellen told the Big Issue that the accident left him feeling weak so he began exercising to get treated. He is also working on the best plan for his comeback to acting.
