Ian McKellen Open To Reprising Gandalf In Lord Of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum

Ian McKellen says that while he has no offer to return to Gandalf for Lord Of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, but would be open to doing so. As announced last month, Warner Bros. is set to release the new film in the franchise in 2026 with Andy Serkis directing and starring as Gollumn. McKellen, who played the famed wizard in all six of the live-action Middle Earth films, was asked by the Times of London if he’s willing to reprise the role again.

McKellan referenced “stirrings in Tolkien land” and noted that he hasn’t shaved in “month” due to his role on stage as Falstaff in Player Kings. He went onto say, “But there is no script, there is no offer, there is no plan.”

When asked if he would return to the role if the studio wanted, he qupped, “If I’m alive.”

The new film is being written by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Phoebe Gittins and Arty Papageorgiou and will be part of the $5.926 billion-grossing franchise. It is the first of two newly-planned films set in Tolkien’s universe, with the other as-yet-unrevealed.