Ian McKellen Open to Returning as Gandalf in The Hunt for Gollum
Renowned actor Ian McKellen has expressed interest in reprising his role as Gandalf in the upcoming film The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum. In a recent interview, McKellen shared that he would be keen to return to the beloved character, but with one morbid caveat – his own mortality.
The 85-year-old actor, who last portrayed Gandalf in 2014, emphasized that there is currently no script, offer, or plan in place for his return. He humorously stated, “If I’m alive,” when asked about the possibility of playing Gandalf once more.
McKellen isn’t the only original cast member open to the idea of returning. Viggo Mortensen, known for his role as Aragorn, has also expressed interest in reprising his character for The Hunt for Gollum. However, Mortensen acknowledged the need for the storyline to accommodate the two-decade age gap since his last appearance in the franchise.
Directed by Peter Jackson, The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is set to delve into the backstory of Andy Serkis’ iconic character, Gollum. Jackson revealed that the film will explore aspects of Gollum’s journey that were not covered in the original trilogy, drawing inspiration from J.R.R. Tolkien’s work.
It’s important to note that The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is not to be confused with a fan-made film of the same name, which faced temporary removal following Warner Bros.’ announcement of the official continuation of the franchise.
As anticipation builds for the release of The Hunt for Gollum in 2026, fans eagerly await further details about the upcoming film and the potential return of beloved characters from Middle-earth. Stay tuned for more updates on this highly-anticipated addition to The Lord of the Rings cinematic universe.