British actor Ian McKellen, who portrayed “Gandalf” in the “Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” trilogies, celebrated his 85th birthday last month. Recently, he expressed his willingness to return to play Gandalf in the 2026 film “Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum,” with one essential condition: “if I am still alive.”
Ian McKellen, known for his role as Gandalf in the Middle-earth world in the “Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” trilogies, discussed the possibility of returning for the sequel with The Times. He mentioned rumors of Gandalf’s potential return but clarified that there’s no script, no invitation, and no plan. His return depends on his presence in this world.
For Ian, every new role could potentially be his last. He stated, “If you want to know if you’ll die, just look at your contacts. So, when a script comes in or you get an offer, most people think, ‘This could be my last job.’ Not me.” He emphasized that even if it were his final job, he would still give it his best.
Ian’s last portrayal of Gandalf was in 2014’s “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.” He is not the only actor discussing a return to the series. American actor Viggo Mortensen, who played “Aragorn” in “Lord of the Rings,” expressed interest in reprising his role after nearly twenty years.
In late May, 65-year-old Mortensen told GQ that he loves the character of Aragorn and would consider returning if the sequel aligns with his age in the film. He shared, “You know, I would only do it if it made sense for that character at my age now; otherwise, that would be silly.”
In “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King,” Gollum meets his demise. The upcoming film “Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum” is a prequel centered around Gollum’s character, and it remains to be seen if a younger version of Aragorn and Gandalf will make an appearance.
In mid-May, producer Peter Jackson revealed to Deadline that he chose Gollum for the sequel because Gollum’s backstory resonates with the audience; his personality reflects the ugliest side of human nature, while his alter ego, “Sméagol,” evokes sympathy.