Veteran actor Ian McKellen has shown interest in playing the role of Gandalf in the upcoming Lord of the Rings spinoff. The actor, who played the iconic character in Peter Jackson’s original trilogy, stated that he would consider returning to the role if he were still alive by the time a new film takes place in the same universe.
Warner Bros confirmed last month that they were working on several projects set in Middle Earth, with the first being Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, which is set for release in 2026. The 85-year-old actor stated that there has been no script, offer, or plan as yet, but he’d heard rumours that Gandalf would feature in the film. He added that he had not shaved for months, cleverly referencing Gandalf’s well-known grey beard.
Viggo Mortensen, who played Aragorn in the original trilogy, has also shown interest in reprising his role in the upcoming spinoff, but only if it’s right for the character. Mortensen stated that he has not heard the story and would only do it if he was right for the role, considering his age. Mortensen also spoke highly of playing Aragorn, saying he learned a lot and enjoyed the role.
The upcoming Lord of the Rings film is expected to see Andy Serkis reprise his role as Gollum, while also directing the project. Peter Jackson is set to serve as a producer alongside Philippa Boyens and Fran Walsh, with the script still in the early stages of development.
Warner Bros and New Line Cinema had previously announced striking a deal for multiple films based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s works. The original Lord of the Rings trilogy had grossed almost $3 billion globally, while The Hobbit trilogy was equally successful in the box office.
Despite the success of the franchise on-screen, Amazon Prime Video’s The Rings Of Power has been airing since 2022, with its second season set to air this August. Considering the massive fan interest and critical acclaim, Warner Bros looks to have a lot in store in the coming years
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