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Ian McKellen approached to return as Gandalf in new 'Lord of the Rings' movies

Updated  September 2, 2024 8:06pm EDT
Entertainment
FOX TV Digital Team
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Sir Ian McKellen as Gandalf and Elijah Wood as Frodo in "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring." (Photo by New Line/WireImage) 

The Brief

    • Sir Ian McKellen, at 85, has been approached to reprise his iconic role as Gandalf in the upcoming "The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum" movies, directed by Andy Serkis.
    • McKellen recently suffered an accident on stage, leading to concerns about his ability to return to the role, with the first film set to premiere in 2026.
    • The new movies mark a continued expansion of the "Lord of the Rings" franchise, which also includes an animated feature and the ongoing "The Rings of Power" series on Prime Video.

LOS ANGELES - Sir Ian McKellen, the legendary actor known for his portrayal of Gandalf in "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" trilogies, has been approached to return to Middle-earth in the upcoming "The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum" movies. 

Directed by Andy Serkis, who famously brought the character of Gollum to life, these new films are set to further expand the beloved fantasy franchise. However, McKellen, who is now 85, has cautioned that if the filmmakers want him to reprise the role, they "better be quick."

McKellen's health raises concerns for his return as Gandalf

McKellen’s involvement in the new movies comes at a time when his health has become a matter of public concern. 

Earlier this year, the actor suffered a fall while performing on stage in London’s Noël Coward Theatre. The accident occurred during his run of "Player Kings," a condensed version of Shakespeare’s "Henry IV." 

Although he was initially expected to return to the stage quickly, the incident ultimately led to McKellen withdrawing from the production altogether.

In a recent interview with Big Issue, McKellen spoke about his recovery, stating, "I’m left feeling weak physically, which I’m doing exercises for. And, 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."

The future of Middle-earth on the big screen

"The Hunt for Gollum" movies are part of a larger effort to continue the storylines and themes introduced in J.R.R. Tolkien’s works. The first of the two films is slated for release in 2026, with Serkis not only directing but also reprising his role as Gollum. The expansion of the "Lord of the Rings" universe also includes the upcoming animated feature, "The War of the Rohirrim," set to be released this Christmas, as well as the ongoing Amazon Prime series, "The Rings of Power."

McKellen’s portrayal of Gandalf has become one of the most iconic performances in modern cinema, and his potential return would undoubtedly generate significant interest among fans. 

However, his recent health issues and the uncertainty surrounding the script and production timeline leave questions about whether he will ultimately reprise the role.

The Source
This article is based on reports from The Wrap, Big Issue, the Associated Press, and previous reports from LiveNOW from FOX, detailing Sir Ian McKellen’s potential return as Gandalf in the upcoming "The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum" movies. The article also references McKellen’s recent health issues and the ongoing expansion of the "Lord of the Rings" franchise.
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