Summary:
- Ian McKellen has been asked to return as Gandalf for the prequel Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, set to release in 2026.
- The project is in the early stages, and McKellen confirmed producers hope he will reprise his role.
Ian McKellen has confirmed that he’s been approached to reprise his iconic role as Gandalf in the upcoming prequel film Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum.
In a recent interview, McKellen, who is currently recovering from a stage fall during a performance in London’s West End, shared his excitement over the continuing enthusiasm for the LOTR franchise.
He also revealed that producers have expressed interest in him returning as Gandalf, saying, “I’ve just been told there are going to be more films and Gandalf will be involved, and they hope that I’ll be playing him.”
At 85, McKellen can’t guarantee his participation in new film projects, but the production team for The Hunt for Gollum—including director and original Gollum actor Andy Serkis—is eager to get started.
While the script is not yet complete and the project is in its early stages, the first film is scheduled for release in 2026. McKellen humorously noted, “They better be quick.”
Serkis, who is also starring in the film, hinted that McKellen’s Gandalf might not be the only familiar face returning.
He mentioned that The Hunt for Gollum will explore Gollum’s perspective in Middle Earth, with the possibility of other characters reappearing:
“There may be characters that we recognize that might be coming back. I’m not going to say who.” (via The Times)
Peter Jackson, director of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, is producing the prequel.
The screenplay will be co-written by Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, who collaborated on the original trilogy, alongside Phoebe Gittins and Arty Papageorgiou (The War of the Rohirrim).
The Hunt for Gollum is set for release in 2026, but details about the story have not yet been disclosed.
