Sir Ian McKellen Is Open To Returning as Gandalf, But Warns Filmmakers "They Better Be Quick"
Warner Bros. is set to release a new ‘Lord of the Rings’ film in 2026.
Lord of the Rings staple Sir Ian McKellen could be reprising his role as Gandalf in the upcoming film The Hunt for Gollum.
In a recent interview with BBC, the revered actor expressed his strong desire in returning as the wizard. “I’m not letting anyone else put on the pointy hat and beard if I can help it,” he said, also previously telling the Big Issue that the “enthusiasm” for J.R.R. Tolkien’s creation remains as strong as ever. As for The Hunt for Gollum, Sir McKellen stated, “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 continued, “When? I don’t know. What the script is? It’s not written yet. So, they better be quick.”
Sir McKellen is currently taking a short break from acting as he recovers from an on-stage accident at West End, which resulted in a broken wrist and chipped vertebrae. He reassures fans however, that he will continue acting “as long as the legs and the lungs and the mind keep working.”
The Hunt for Gollum was announced earlier this May and will see the character’s original actor, Andy Serkis, serve as director while Lord of the Rings trilogy director Peter Jackson is on board as a producer. The film is set to release in 2026.
