​Will Ian McKellen Return as Gandalf for Amazon's 'Lord of the Rings' Series?

BY Sarah MurphyPublished Dec 20, 2017

Amazon is currently developing an original television series that serves as a prequel to J.R.R. Tolkien's beloved The Lord of the Rings trilogy — and Sir Ian McKellen has hinted that he's open to reprising his role as Gandalf.
 
McKellen starred as the wizard in Peter Jackson's film adaptation of the Tolkien trilogy for New Line Cinema, and in a recent interview with Graham Norton on BBC Radio 2, the actor seemed to imply that he didn't want anybody else taking that role from him.
 
"What do you mean another Gandalf?" McKellen answered, when asked about a newcomer stepping into the role. "I haven't said yes because I haven't been asked, but are you suggesting someone else is going to play it?"
 
And while his comments may have just been in jest, the 78-year-old McKellen did make a pretty good argument for keeping his staff and robes (you know, other than the Oscar nomination).
 
"Gandalf is over 7,000 years old," he said. "So I'm not too old."
 
No official casting information has been revealed about the upcoming Amazon series, but McKellen's attachment to the role certainly seems to have fantasy fans hoping for a return.
 
Below, revisit the actor's intense Gandalf transformation process as revealed on an old episode of Extras.
 

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