Ian McKellen Forum

Sir Ian McKellen is currently in New Zealand to perform in a travelling stage show of Samuel Beckett's tragicomedy Waiting for Godot and probably to consult with Peter Jackson and his crew about just what the heck is going on with The Hobbit's drawn out production schedule. Well, in a subtle statement that should surprise nobody, McKellan hinted that he would not wait forever for filming to get off the ground as he's got better things to do than enjoy the hospitality of Wellington and his harem of nubile Kiwi lads. (I might have made up that last bit.) 
 
Speaking on TVNewZealand's Good Morning show, the host asked McKellen whether or not delays would affect his involvement:

Well, I’m not under contract. And my time is running out. I’m enjoying working in the theatre and, frankly, I would like to race after doing Waiting for Godot and get on with doing another play, but we’ll have to see. I don’t want to give the producers the impression that I’m sitting waiting. 

There is a definite exasperation in McKellan's response to the host that sound like the words of a man fed up with waiting around, especially in the face of exciting theatrical opportunities elsewhere in the world. Considering the raft of bad news concerning the project the thespian rightfully has a lot to be concerned about: the film still doesn't solidly have a director; it will take another four years to finish; and the ailing MGM side of the equation is thinking of selling their rights to Warner Bros. 
 
Check out the video from The One Ring Tolkien fansite for yourself below. McKellan also has some interesting words to say about the ongoing worldwide civil rights struggle. 
 
  

Without McKellen, I'm essentially nearly completely uninterested in this movie. I think Jackson would be wiser just packing up and calling the whole damn thing off.

If McKellen isn't in The Hobbit, the movie is pretty much dead to me.  Someone else playing Gandalf would just be madness, I tell you!

Extras!

I think without him, The Hobbit will have that "illusion breaking" feel to it, where you pause for a moment and say "This isn't Gandalf - this musn't fall under the Lord of the Rings mythology".

Peter Jackson HURRY THE FUCK UP WILL YA!? or just get Sir Patrick, that would be sweet.

As mentioned, I doubt he would want a harem of ladies since Mr.McKellen is gay. 
 
As for the topic, it wouldn't be the same character without him playing the part so I hope this gets the people in charge riled up and anxious to get this mofo going. If they lose him I think it will be a lot less likely that the show will get made. Even if it does  I doubt it will be as good without him. That show needs a few familiar faces in it or else people won't get that it's connected to the lotr movies. Well some people anyway.
 
As some one who has only read the hobbit book I can't wait to see how this turns out ether way.

@Toxin066 said:

" I think without him, The Hobbit will have that "illusion breaking" feel to it, where you pause for a moment and say "This isn't Gandalf - this musn't fall under the Lord of the Rings mythology". "

This,
@Linkyshinks said:

" It needs him, I hope everything's ironed out soon. 
 
Don't you mean young kiwi guys, he is gay after all.  "

this
@TheFreeMan said:

" If McKellen isn't in The Hobbit, the movie is pretty much dead to me.  Someone else playing Gandalf would just be madness, I tell you! "

and this. Good day.

@skrutop: It could work....

Ha!  Patrick Stewart -could- have done it if they had gotten him to begin with, but as it is now if McKellen isn't in it, that movie is done for.

It would be a shame not to land McKellen as Gandalf, but before the Ring Trilogy came out I secretly hoped for, and basically assumed Gandalf would go to Patrick Stewart.
I can't say I'd be disappointed if he got a chance at the role.
But for the record there will be some serious suspension of disbelief at anyone but McKellen for the role.

I cant watch any videos on here and im wondering why? 

@Linkyshinks: Yeah, "lads" was the word I was shooting for there. Maybe they can perform a haka for him before every meal. 

@johnnydamage: It's a YouTube embed, so I can't imagine what the issue is.

Without him, it won't be The Hobbit.

He is the only guy that should ever be Gandalf, what is Jackson smoking to come up with such a decision?

@Toxin066 said:

" I think without him, The Hobbit will have that "illusion breaking" feel to it, where you pause for a moment and say "This isn't Gandalf - this musn't fall under the Lord of the Rings mythology". "

Pretty much this. I cannot imagine anyone else as Gandalf, he's just so perfect for the role.

Yeah, and they say people can come together on an issue. If there's one thing pretty much everyone can agree on it's that without McKellen the excercise is pointless.

While I tend to agree with the mob here that the movies would likely be worse without McKellen, I also can't help but remember the case of Dumbledore. Recall that Richard Harris originally played the wizard, but unfortunately died after the second film and was replaced by Michael Gambon. I would say the series was no worse for the switch. Just who would replace McKellen though...that's the pickle.