It seems that the famous actor Ian McKellen could once again find himself in the beloved role of the wizard Gandalf from "The Lord of the Rings". He said that he was contacted to participate in the new film from the franchise directed by Andy Serkis.
"The enthusiasm for 'Lord of the Rings' is undeterred... I can't tell you anything more than that. They just told me that there will be more films and that Gandalf will be involved, and that they hope I will play him," he revealed. actor in conversation with "The Big Issue".
"When? I don't know. What's the script? It hasn't been written yet. That's why they better hurry," said Mekelen, who is recovering after falling off the stage in a play in London's West End.
In another interview with BBC Breakfast, Mekelen said he has no plans to retire from acting.
"I'll keep doing it as long as my legs, lungs and mind are working," said the actor, who is currently promoting the new film "The Critic."
Warner Bros. Discovery announced in May that Andy Serkis will direct and star in two new films from the Lord of the Rings series, with the working title The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum. The first film should be released in 2026.
Fran Walš and Filipa Bojens, who co-wrote the original film trilogy, will write the script together with Phoebe Gitins and Arti Papageorgiou.
Peter Jackson, who directed the original trilogy, will produce. McKellen played Gandalf in all of the original Jackson films and the "Hobbit" trilogy. His return to the franchise would be a huge success for Serkis.
Mekelen said he will spend the rest of 2024 resting after his fall from the stage, meaning he could return to acting next year, when production on the new Lord of the Rings films is likely to begin.
Bonus video:
