Gandalf’s Return? Ian McKellen Says He’s Been Approached for Andy Serkis’ ‘Lord of the Rings’ Films

It seems that Sir Ian McKellen might once again don the iconic robes of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendary wizard, Gandalf. The 85-year-old actor recently revealed that he has been approached to reprise his beloved role in the upcoming Lord of the Rings films. McKellen, who is currently recovering from an injury sustained during a performance of Player Kings in London’s West End, shared the possibility of returning to Middle-earth, but noted, “It’s not written yet. So, they better be quick.”

Despite the uncertainty, McKellen made it clear that he’s eager to return as Gandalf, telling BBC Radio 4 in a separate interview, “I’m not letting anyone else put on the pointy hat and beard if I can help it.” McKellen first brought Gandalf to life in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy and later returned for The Hobbit films, earning widespread acclaim for his portrayal.

McKellen’s return as Gandalf would be a significant boost for Andy Serkis’ upcoming project, adding star power and continuity to the new films. Speaking to The Big Issue McKellen said.

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. When? I don’t know. What the script is? It’s not written yet. So, they better be quick.

Sir Ian McKellen | Via | The Big Issue

McKellen’s possible return to the franchise is especially significant given his current health challenges. The two-time Oscar nominee recently lost his footing while playing John Falstaff in Player Kings at the Noel Coward Theatre, resulting in a chipped vertebra and a fractured wrist. Despite these injuries, McKellen remains optimistic about the future, hinting that he might be back on set next year, which aligns with the likely production schedule for the new Lord of the Rings films.

In May, Warner Bros. Discovery revealed that Andy Serkis will both direct and star in two upcoming Lord of the Rings films, currently working under the title Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum. The first movie is slated for release in 2026. This project is just the beginning, as Warner Bros. plans to expand the Lord of the Rings universe with several new franchises over the next decade, with Peter Jackson serving as a producer.

Another actor from the original Lord of the Rings trilogy has also expressed interest in returning to the franchise. Viggo Mortensen, who played Aragorn, recently told The Independent series Go to Bat that he would be open to reprising his role “if it seemed right and was faithful to what Tolkien wrote.” These upcoming films might just see the return of other fan-favorite characters as well.

McKellen’s return as Gandalf would be a significant boost for Serkis’s project, adding star power and continuity to the new films. We’ll keep you updated with any further developments.

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