We dare not even speak of such things! But Ian McKellen himself noted to The Times that he would, in fact, be interested in returning as Gandalf in the new The Lord of the Rings movie, The Hunt for Gollum. If he’s alive, that is. Gulp.
The actor notes to The Times that he’s heard “stirrings in Tolkien’s land” and suggests that the character of Gandalf is intended to return in The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum movie. He notes that he would be interested in playing Gandalf again but adds, “There is no script, there is no offer, there is no plan.” He jokingly notes that he would happily reprise his The Lord of the Rings role, “If I’m alive.”
Since the actor shared these iconic thoughts with the world, it seems like things have changed slightly. Most recently, McKellen noted, “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.”
We too will go ahead and hope for both Ian McKellen’s return as Gandalf in The Hunt for Gollum and for the actor to stay alive for a very long time to come. Fictional deaths only, please.
Originally published on June 10, 2024.
