Sir Ian McKellen Open to Reprising Gandalf Role, But Urges Quick Action
Sir Ian McKellen expressed his willingness to return to the iconic role of Gandalf in the “Lord of the Rings” franchise, emphasizing the need for urgency in this endeavor.
“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,” the 85-year-old actor stated in an interview with Big Issue magazine. "When? I don’t know. What the script is? It’s not written yet. So they better be quick!”
McKellen recently experienced a fall while performing in “Player Kings,” a new adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Henry IV,” in London this past June. During the interview, he reflected on the incident and mentioned his concerns about aging.
“I’m just trying to convince myself it was an accident,” he said, as he commented on the physical repercussions of the fall. “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 acclaimed actor, known for his roles in multiple “Lord of the Rings” films, indicated that he enjoys keeping busy. “I’m usually working or preparing to work, I’ve been doing a little bit of that, wondering what might be the best plan,” he said. “I’m going to take the rest of the year off. Not because I need to, just because I want to.”