Sir Ian McKellen as Gandalf, Again!

Posted on December 1st, 2009 by lily

Sir Ian McKellen is a regular hero to fans. While most know him as the wise wizard Gandalf from Peter Jackson’s Lord of The Rings trilogy or maniacal mutant leader Magneto in the X-Men films, true admirers will doubtless point to his efforts as an LGBT advocate as his genuine examples of heroism. The out actor has been fighting for LGBT civil rights for over 20 years. Sir Ian recently shared some highly sought-after secrets about the much-anticipated LOTR prequels, The Hobbit and The Hobbit: Part Two.

“The scripts for the two films will be delivered very soon,” McKellen revealed. “Then they’ll be budgeted, and then they’ll be cast. And they’ll be going when they’ve always said they would be, which is next spring — March or April. ”

Both films are being directed by Hellboy’s helmer, Guillermo del Toro, but Peter Jackson is on hand as a producer. McKellen knows he’s gearing up for a long journey to the first of the films’ premieres, set for December 2011. “Guillermo even told me at one point, ‘We’re going to film for 383 days.’ He’s got that artistic autism! Jackson’s the same; they’re very, very, very alike,” he noted, but added, “They also very different, but they’ve so much in common. They both can’t stand Hollywood and have wonderful imaginations, and they’re both obsessed with gore and fantasy. Both of them laugh a great deal. Guillermo’s one of the most brilliant men I’ve ever met.”

The popular English actor also hinted about what he’s heard regarding the possible X-Men: Origins movie for his character, Magneto, in the full interview with Empire, available here.

McKellen will host the Only Make Believe Gala November 2 in New York, with appearances by Alan Cumming, Jude Law, Chris Meloni, and the casts of Hair and The Lion King.

So: What’s your favorite Sir Ian McKellen role: Gandalf in LOTR, Eric Lehnsherr/Magneto in X-Men, Mel Hutchwright on the U.K.’s Coronation Street, or James Whale in Gods and Monsters?

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2 Responses to “Sir Ian McKellen as Gandalf, Again!”

1. Randy Says:

   December 1st, 2009 at 4:43 pm
   Visit Randy

   That’s an easy one… James Whale. Special mention for Number Two in The Prisoner.

2. robert Says:

   December 2nd, 2009 at 8:33 pm
   Visit robert

   I was fascinated with Gandalf, but mesmerised by James Whale.