85-year-old actor Ian McKellen has been invited to return as the wizard Gandalf in the upcoming Lord of the Rings sequel directed by Andy Serkis.
One of the most iconic fantasy sagas is set to continue in 2026, and fans might see the return of one of its most beloved characters. Ian McKellen, who famously portrayed Gandalf in the original Lord of the Rings trilogy, has been offered the opportunity to reprise his role as the powerful wizard.
“I’ve been told that there are more films coming, Gandalf will be involved, and they hope I’ll be playing him again,” McKellen shared with The Big Issue. “When? I don’t know. What’s the script? It hasn’t been written yet. So, they need to hurry up!” the 85-year-old actor added.
McKellen also echoed a famous Gandalf line, saying, “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us,” originally spoken to Frodo in The Fellowship of the Ring. Despite his age, the actor has embraced this mindset fully.
Still active in the acting world at 85, McKellen plans to continue his career as soon as he recovers from an injury sustained during a performance in London’s Player Kings. The actor fell from the stage and broke his wrist but remains determined to keep working.
This news has fans excited for the possible return of Gandalf, a character that has become a cultural icon, and McKellen’s commitment to acting shows no sign of slowing down despite the challenges of age and injury.
