Sir Ian as Gandalf - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

ArathornJax · 04-25-2008, 12:18 AM

Over at TheOneRing.net they've posted that Sir Ian's official web site has updated to show that he is Gandalf in The Hobbit and that it will be released in 2010.

http://www.mckellen.com/cinema/index0.htm

Glad to see Sir Ian back!

The Sixth Wizard · 04-25-2008, 02:17 AM

Wouldn't be the same without the only character in both books...

Save Elrond of course, but I always thought he could be done better anyway. Do we know if he's the same actor?

skip spence · 04-25-2008, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Sixth Wizard

Wouldn't be the same without the only character in both books...

Save Elrond of course, but I always thought he could be done better anyway. Do we know if he's the same actor?

Err... What about Bilbo? And Gollum?

Good news to hear that Sir Ian is on board anyway and that the movie has an approximate release date now.

Mithalwen · 04-25-2008, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Sixth Wizard

Wouldn't be the same without the only character in both books...

Mores the pity... I really thought McKellen was mediocre. I adore Hugo Weaving though so for me he would be about the only reason to go and see what is clearly going to be a somewhat formulaic production

So wish they were going to have a completely fresh start and not enforce what will be a decade old set of parameters on the production .. really will be same old, same old....

NB Hugo Weaving is currently fliming The Wolfman with Del Toro which probably means that he is a shoo-in for Elrond if he wants to do it.

Aganzir · 04-25-2008, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

So wish they were going to have a completely fresh start and not enforce what will be a decade old set of parameters on the production .. really will be same old, same old....

I actually quite agree with you... I have nothing in particular against Sir Ian, but I don't think he's too gandalfish. They could surely have found someone better.

The only actor, though, I'd want to be the same as in Lotr is Christopher Lee - in case they're going to have some White Council stuff there, which I don't doubt.

Mithalwen · 04-25-2008, 06:49 AM

I think that he is a bit too "stagey" - there is a difference between acting on stage and acting for a giant screen where every gesture is magnified. I think he needed to be more subtle. For me, he never made that transition to being Gandalf from being "Ian McKellen playing Gandalf". I suppose you notice it more when the characters are as well known as the actors - if not more so!!!

Azaelia of Willowbottom · 04-25-2008, 06:57 AM

Oooh, this totally made my morning. I love Sir Ian as Gandalf (particularly as Gandalf the Grey), and I really don't think the movie would be the same without him. I can't think of anyone I'd like to see in the role more.

Here's hoping Andy Serkis gets back on board, too. He owns the part of Gollum.

For those of you who are already becoming disappointed and disillusioned, don't lose heart yet! 2010 is a long way off, and we hardly know anything about the movie, yet. There is plenty of room for growth and change.

Edit: I see Del Toro is directing, so if nothing else, we know the movie will at least look pretty.

ArathornJax · 04-25-2008, 07:31 AM

Over at the TheOneRing.net they also have an interview posted with del Toro. He confirms that both Sir Ian and Andy S. are on board as are John Howe, Alan Lee, Howard Shore and others.

What will be interesting is when they start casting the other roles such as Bilbo, the dwarves, Beorn, Bard, Thranduil, etc.

Nazgûl-king · 04-28-2008, 11:35 AM

I am glad to hear that Sir Ian McKellen will return as Gandalf, as I thought he did a great job.

Essex · 05-01-2008, 06:52 AM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/entertainment/7375245.stm

great news, although I must admit a little bit of fear in Ian's quote stating that the director will start work on the scripts after finishing HELLBOY 2

oh dear.

Tuor in Gondolin · 05-01-2008, 08:42 AM

What about John Rhys-Davies returning
(as Thorin?) but minus any dwarf
tossing comments by anyone.

Estelyn Telcontar · 05-01-2008, 09:43 AM

Given the difficulties that Rhys-Davies experienced with the prosthetics and make-up, I doubt that he would be excited about any role that would require that of him again.

Eönwë · 05-01-2008, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuor in Gondolin

What about John Rhys-Davies returning
(as Thorin?) but minus any dwarf
tossing comments by anyone.

I think that if he does return, it will be as Gloin.

04-25-2008, 12:18 AM	#1
ArathornJax Haunting Spirit Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Out West near a Big Salty Lake Posts: 76	Sir Ian as Gandalf Over at TheOneRing.net they've posted that Sir Ian's official web site has updated to show that he is Gandalf in The Hobbit and that it will be released in 2010. http://www.mckellen.com/cinema/index0.htm Glad to see Sir Ian back! __________________ "At any minute it is what we are and are doing, not what we plan to be and do that counts." JRR Tolkien in 6 October 1940 letter to Michael Tolkien

04-25-2008, 06:49 AM	#6
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,458	I think that he is a bit too "stagey" - there is a difference between acting on stage and acting for a giant screen where every gesture is magnified. I think he needed to be more subtle. For me, he never made that transition to being Gandalf from being "Ian McKellen playing Gandalf". I suppose you notice it more when the characters are as well known as the actors - if not more so!!! __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

04-25-2008, 06:57 AM	#7
Azaelia of Willowbottom Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: By the Sea Posts: 446	Oooh, this totally made my morning. I love Sir Ian as Gandalf (particularly as Gandalf the Grey), and I really don't think the movie would be the same without him. I can't think of anyone I'd like to see in the role more. Here's hoping Andy Serkis gets back on board, too. He owns the part of Gollum. For those of you who are already becoming disappointed and disillusioned, don't lose heart yet! 2010 is a long way off, and we hardly know anything about the movie, yet. There is plenty of room for growth and change. Edit: I see Del Toro is directing, so if nothing else, we know the movie will at least look pretty. __________________ "Wherever I have been, I am back." Last edited by Azaelia of Willowbottom; 04-25-2008 at 07:01 AM.

04-25-2008, 07:31 AM	#8
ArathornJax Haunting Spirit Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Out West near a Big Salty Lake Posts: 76	del Toro confirms Andy S Over at the TheOneRing.net they also have an interview posted with del Toro. He confirms that both Sir Ian and Andy S. are on board as are John Howe, Alan Lee, Howard Shore and others. What will be interesting is when they start casting the other roles such as Bilbo, the dwarves, Beorn, Bard, Thranduil, etc. __________________ "At any minute it is what we are and are doing, not what we plan to be and do that counts." JRR Tolkien in 6 October 1940 letter to Michael Tolkien

05-01-2008, 06:52 AM	#10
Essex Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Essex, England Posts: 886	official (so says the bbc) http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/entertainment/7375245.stm great news, although I must admit a little bit of fear in Ian's quote stating that the director will start work on the scripts after finishing HELLBOY 2 oh dear.

04-25-2008, 02:17 AM	#2
The Sixth Wizard Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stuck under a rock in Valinor with Ar-Pharazon. Posts: 480	Wouldn't be the same without the only character in both books... Save Elrond of course, but I always thought he could be done better anyway. Do we know if he's the same actor?

04-28-2008, 11:35 AM	#9
Nazgûl-king Wight Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 104	I am glad to hear that Sir Ian McKellen will return as Gandalf, as I thought he did a great job.

05-01-2008, 08:42 AM	#11
Tuor in Gondolin Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Southeast Pennsylvania Posts: 3,651	What about John Rhys-Davies returning (as Thorin?) but minus any dwarf tossing comments by anyone. __________________ The poster formerly known as Tuor of Gondolin. Walking To Rivendell and beyond 12,555 miles passed Nt./Day 5: Pass the beacon on Nardol, the 'Fire Hill.'

05-01-2008, 09:43 AM	#12
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	Given the difficulties that Rhys-Davies experienced with the prosthetics and make-up, I doubt that he would be excited about any role that would require that of him again. __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'