Sir Ian McKellan wants a shot at playing Gandalf in the upcoming Lord of the Rings TV show.
In November, Amazon made a deal to adapt the series J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved novels, a franchise that many associates with Ian McKellan’s acting as a wizard. During an appearance on Graham Norton’s BBC Radio 2 show on Saturday, McKellan was asked if it will bother him if another actor plays Gandalf. He responded, “What do you mean, another Gandalf?”
“I haven’t said yes because I haven’t been asked,” McKellen added. “But are you suggesting that someone else is going to play it? Gandalf is over 7000 years old, so I’m not too old.”
Even though there is a multi-season commitment, which also includes a possible spin-off series, the franchise has already been heavily reproduced in Peter Jackson’s series of films.
The original series will be produced by Amazon Studios in cooperation with the Tolkien Estate and Trust, HarperCollins and New Line Cinema, a division of Warner Bros. Entertainment.
Lord of the Rings will explore new storylines before Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring, according to Amazon.
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