Posted October 15, 200717 yr Ian McKellen keen to be Gandalf again Source: bbc.co.uk Sir Ian McKellen has said he would be "very pleased" to reprise his role as wizard Gandalf in the planned film of JRR Tolkien's novel The Hobbit. "If I am still functioning and working well, it is very likely I would be asked to do it," he told Reuters. Sir Ian played the role in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, landing an Oscar nomination in the process. Due to a legal dispute with film studio New Line, however, Peter Jackson will not be back as director for The Hobbit. "When Peter announced he had withdrawn from The Hobbit, he sent me an email saying: 'Because I am not going to do it, it doesn't mean you have to do the same,'" McKellen is quoted as saying. "'Of course, you must play Gandalf whether I direct or not.'" "I am glad to read that it is looking more and more likely," the 68-year-old continued. Fantasy prequel "I would be disappointed if they didn't want to have the original Gandalf." The Hobbit, which Tolkien wrote before the Rings books, tells how Bilbo Baggins finds a supernatural ring - which is passed on to his nephew, Frodo, in Lord of the Rings. Jackson has been ruled out of directing the film adaptation due to a dispute about income from the first Rings film, The Fellowship of the Ring. It is not yet known who will take his place or when filming will commence. Sir Ian is currently in Los Angeles playing the title role in the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of King Lear. The veteran actor said playing the part was extremely taxing "spiritually and emotionally and mentally".
October 15, 200717 yr Shame about Peter Jackson - but McKellen is perfect at being Gandalf. I hope Ian Holm is back as Bilbo too.
October 15, 200717 yr Ian is and will always be the best actor to play Gandalf! :D Shame about Pete. :( If it happens, it won't be as good the LOTR. Pete would be the best director to do that.
October 16, 200717 yr when is this actually going to come out? they been going on about it for years now, i remember them originally saying it would be out 2007/08 but doesnt look to likely now
October 16, 200717 yr I think without Peter Jackson and his crew, the likelihood that this film will suck is a very high possibility, especially if they get some hack involved in directing it, which seems most likely... The 'legal dispute' is down totally 100% to New Line, they tried to screw Jackson and his production team out of what they're rightly due for the LOTR films, it sure as hell wasn't some fukkin' suit in an air conditioned Hollywood office who brought Tolkien's marvellous books to such spectacular, award-winning life, it was the vision of Jackson and his people.... I'm not even sure I'll bother to go see the film if it is made, the way New Line have treated Jackson leaves a nasty taste..... -_-
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