Lord Of The Rings fans 'conflicted' over Gandalf casting for prequel, and we get it

It seems we may already know who will be playing Gandalf in the next big, live-action The Lord of the Rings film, and fans are conflicted about the casting choice… but not for the reasons you may immediately assume.

The release date for Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, an upcoming live-action prequel directed by Andy Serkis, was finally revealed this week, and it seems we may also know who will be taking over the role of Gandalf.

In fact, we may have actually known for quite some time, because the actor set to portray him announced they’d be contacted regarding the role all the way back in September last year.

So, who’s the lucky fella? Why, it’s Ian McKellen, of course.

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“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,” McKellen revealed in an interview with Big Issue magazine.

“When? I don’t know. What the script is? It’s not written yet. So they better be quick.”

Alright, so, hold up– why exactly are fans over on the r/lordoftherings subreddit concerned that Ian McKellen, the actor who has portrayed Gandalf since The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring dropped back in 2001, will be reprising his role? Isn’t that a good thing?

“I'm conflicted. On one hand he's the perfect Gandalf. He'll always be the perfect Gandalf. And if there's a movie with Gandalf it ought to be him,” commented user TheLoyalTR8R.

“On the other… he's getting pretty up there in terms of age. After his little tumble off the stage recently he may not be in the best state to travel and work overseas.”

“I really hope he doesn’t do it. Same with Vito. Partly because of his health. But also, he’s 85 years old,” replied user BMoreBeowulf.

“If they are going to keep making LotR movies forever they’re going to need new actors. Rolling out Ian and Viggo 20+ years later playing characters the same ages as they were in the OT is madness.”

You know, I do understand the concern but… I just don’t get the feeling that McKellen wouldn’t want to take the role.

Yeah, he’s getting on in age, and he’s a lovely, lovely man, so we all want the best for him. But we’re talking about a man who LOVES his job. McKellen loves acting, and he loves playing Gandalf. I don’t think there’s any reality in which he’d turn the role down.