Ian McKellen Rips Idea of Another Actor as Gandalf

Ian McKellen, the iconic Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings, expressed his reluctance to see anyone else portray the character in the upcoming film, The Hunt for Gollum. In a recent interview, McKellen shared his excitement about potentially returning to the role, contingent upon receiving an acceptable script. Directed by Andy Serkis, who also played Gollum in the original films, this project aims to expand the cinematic universe of Middle-earth. Though there’s talk of revitalizing the franchise, McKellen’s return hinges on the script's quality, and he reminisced about his fondness for New Zealand, where much of the series was filmed.

While McKellen is eager to return, he is awaiting the script before making any commitments. He is favorable towards reprising his role but emphasizes it should be done thoughtfully.

The Hunt for Gollum is set to be a significant addition to the expanding Lord of the Rings franchise, which currently includes Amazon's The Rings of Power series and an upcoming animated film titled The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, focused on the heroic past of Helm Hammerhand. With these developments, fans of Tolkien's lore can look forward to a richer depiction of Middle-earth, featuring both familiar and fresh narratives.