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'Gandalf' has read the Hobbit script and tells us about it
Ian McKellen, whom we expect will put on Gandalf's gray robes in director Guillermo del Toro's upcoming Hobbit movies, tells us he's finally read the script for the films.
And, no, he won't tell us much about it, except that producer Peter Jackson (who co-wrote the script with longtime Lord of the Rings collaborators Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, as well as del Toro) wrote it specifically for him.
"As Peter has said, they loved writing Gandalf [for The Hobbit] because they knew who they were writing him for," McKellen told us exclusively in an interview last week while promoting AMC's The Prisoner. "There are a lot of characters in The Hobbit, including, crucially, Bilbo, and they don't know who's going to play Bilbo. So it's extremely attractive that this part has been written for me. The other Gandalf was written for, well, just as Gandalf. There's lots for me to enjoy, in all sorts of ways. And I couldn't be happier. But I'm sworn to secrecy. I'm not to say anything at all about the script."
As for del Toro's input into the new script, McKellen said that he and Jackson speak the same language. "They are the same person," he said. "They were separated at birth. They're twins. They have the same attitude. Neither likes working in Hollywood. They're both fascinated by fantasy and violence on the screen, and gore, and things that frighten you. They like going into the psyche. They're both brilliant storytellers in very much the same way. And I think the script, because I have read it, plays very much to Guillermo's strengths, as I've seen them. I have seen his other movies, and people act very well in them. So I think it's all fine. And Peter will always be there."
McKellen said that the role of Gandalf changed his life forever. "I can't believe it's 10 years for me," said the actor, who first played the wizard in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, film one in the trilogy that began principal photography in New Zealand in 1999. "I remember being told by a friend in Hollywood that 'your life is going to change,' and it has. Gandalf is an extremely famous character, and I quite like having him around the corner. He's very popular."
By Lindane at 6:17 PM ON 11/02/09
They really couldn't have picked someone more brilliant and fitting to play Gandalf and I'm quite glad to hear that he will be returning for The Hobbit.
As a Rings fanboi, I will be eagerly awaiting this next installment. Hopefully it lives up to the book!
On a side note, Wil Wheaton for Bard~!
By omar at 7:31 PM ON 11/02/09
excellent
By miffed67 at 8:13 PM ON 11/02/09
BEYOND excellent. I don't think I can even imagine anyone but Ian McKellen as Gandalf, he was so perfect in the role in Rings.
Now.....can they give his hot boyfriend a role? 'Cause, seriously...have you seen him?
By ryan23 at 10:00 PM ON 11/02/09
This is the first thing I've seen in quite some time that is troll proof. You just don't eff with this. Perfection. Can't wait for this movie!
By Scott at 10:32 PM ON 11/02/09
Agreed - Ian McKellen = Gandalf.
However, as a big Harry Potter Fan as well, I would loved to have seen Ian as Dumbledore. He would have done a much better job of this than the late Richard Harris (RIP) or Michael Gambon.
Their portrayals of Dumbledore were too serious, especially when Dumbledore should have been more whimsical. Ian would have played him perfectly - wise and sensible most of the time - mischievous some of the time - but realistically scary when he needs to be - just as he did when he was Gandalf...
Don’t get me wrong – I loved Richard and Michael as Dumbledore, but they were nothing like the Dumbledore in the books.
By JAC at 11:49 PM ON 11/02/09
Even THOUGH SOME OF THE COMMENTS WEREN'T NECESSARY I THOUGHT IT WAS VERY WELL ACTED AND LOVE IT DEARLY MANY TIMES OVER>Gary
By sean murrey at 11:50 PM ON 11/02/09
i would like to see the movie when it comes out.
By asocalguy at 12:19 AM ON 11/03/09
Hey, ryan23. The Hobbit is "troll proof"? Awesome! Best accidental pun I've heard/read in a long time. :-)
By Rich in Seattle at 1:48 AM ON 11/03/09
So they are afraid that the script will leak information about the movie? Uh, it's based off of a book! I'm pretty sure I know what's going to happen in the movie. Psst, there is gonna be a big dragon in this one Don't tell anyone.
By Jay Lee at 8:04 AM ON 11/03/09
The movie isn't limited to the Hobbit book! There is a whole back story for the Tales that will be the light of celluloid. For example, where did Gandalf go? What happened between the end of the Hobbit and the beginning of the LOTR? We see some of the back story of Aragorn.
By Eva at 9:41 AM ON 11/03/09
I adored Ian McKellan as Gandalf and I'm thrilled to see him return in The Hobbit.
By sense11 at 10:03 AM ON 11/03/09
This is amazing, I cant even hold back how excited I am to fast forward a couple of years so I can watch this movie.
By Reverend at 10:03 AM ON 11/03/09
Psst. Bilbo dies. Trust me.
By Meezer at 11:42 AM ON 11/03/09
This movie is going to be big ass
By flux cheese at 11:47 AM ON 11/03/09
Yay for no trolls!!
And I agree wholeheartedly with sense11.. Arrrrrg!!! I can't f'in wait!!
By Felipe 058 at 1:40 PM ON 11/03/09
This is going to be absolutely amazing; I can barely describe how excited I am for this to come out! Del Toro and Jackson are seriously two of the greatest filmmakers of their time, if not of all time.
@Reverend: Death is just another path... One that we all must take. The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass... And then you see it... White shores... and beyond, a far green country under a swift sunrise.
And lolz at the "troll proof" pun :)
By jdmimic at 1:46 PM ON 11/03/09
Nothing is troll-proof. I think Ian McKellen in LOTR su...no. can't even say it in jest.
This will be one of my most anticipated movies ever.
I do wonder where Del Toro is going to put in a creepy guy with eyes somewhere other than his face, a seemingly favorite character type of his.
By Sauron_Daz at 2:58 PM ON 11/03/09
There can be no Hobbit film without Ian playing Gandalf.
End of line.
By jhawks1510 at 6:22 PM ON 11/03/09
I'm waiting for the 6 movie epic of the Silmarion.
By lhartmoynihan at 7:33 PM ON 11/03/09
Hey jhawks1510, I've been working on that in my spare time for the past few years. If you're looking forward to that, you should check out Helge K. Fauskanger's Westernesse outline of a script here: http://folk.uib.no/hnohf/num-intro.htm
By ryan23 at 3:42 PM ON 11/04/09
I'd love to tell you I realized the pun, but alas, I am stupid. It is an awesome pun though, and I'm going to go ahead and take (partial)credit! However, I have yet to find anyone that has anything negative to say about this... so far.
By Candid at 6:06 PM ON 11/04/09
Whole-heartedly agree with the earlier comment about Harris and Gambon misplaying Dumbledore. While a major fan of his other work, I have found Gambon's portrayal too virile and overbearing. Richard captured the kind-heartedness of Harry's beloved mentor, but I do wonder how McKellen may have interpreted the true whimsy of this young-at-heart wizard.
By chickensaladsandwich at 11:02 PM ON 11/04/09
Yes! Bring on The Hobbit! McKellan was born to be Gandalf.
By Tolkien Fan at 6:56 PM ON 11/05/09
Since 1992 I've had Gandalf tattooed on my left arm and Smaug on my right... Do you think I'm psyched?!?
By RMS at 3:46 PM ON 11/09/09
I just hope the find someone younger than than actor who played Bilbo in the LOTR.
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RMS:
I just hope the find someone younger than than actor who played Bilbo in the LOTR....More »