Sir Ian McKellen really, really wants to play Gandalf again in the new 'Lord of the Rings' TV show
It couldn't be anyone else
It was recently announced that Amazon Studios is set to produce a blockbuster new Lord of the Rings TV series at an eye-watering cost of around $1 billion, which would make it the most expensive show ever made.
The TV adaptation will be based in the period before The Fellowship of the Ring – meaning we should see plenty of action involving the franchise’s best character: Gandalf. He is the undisputed king of Lord of the Rings; he’s got incredible magic powers, he has all the best lines and when you think of iconic moments from the movies, you think of Gandalf.
Exhibit A - “You shall not pass!”:
Exhibit B - “What to do with the time that is given to us”:
Now Sir Ian McKellen, who played Gandalf in the films, has revealed he is definitely on board to reprise his role in the new TV series.
On Graham Norton’s Radio 2 show at the weekend, the host said: “Amazon are doing a TV series of Lord of the Rings. Now isn’t that annoying? That there’s going to be another Gandalf in town?”
McKellen replied: “What do you mean, another Gandalf? I haven’t said yes because I haven’t been asked.”
He added: “But are you suggesting that someone else is going to play it? Gandalf is over 7,000 years old, so I’m not too old.”
I wholeheartedly agree and, quite frankly, who else could play him?
However, if Sir Ian finds he can’t fit the new show into his busy schedule we’ve had a think about who else could take up the iconic role.
Speaking about the upcoming series, Sharon Tal Yguado, Amazon’s new head of scripted programming, said: “The Lord of the Rings is a cultural phenomenon that has captured the imagination of generations of fans through literature and the big screen.
“We are honored to be working with the Tolkien Estate and Trust, HarperCollins and New Line on this exciting collaboration for television and are thrilled to be taking The Lord of the Rings fans on a new epic journey in Middle Earth.”
(Image: WingNut Films / The Saul Zaentz Company / New Line Cinema)
