Nobody else is playing Gandalf on Sir Ian McKellen's watch.
After Amazon Studios confirmed last month they're going ahead with a multi-season Lord of the Rings television series, rumours have been swirling over who's going to take the lead roles.
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British television personality Graham Norton brought up the new LOTR adaption to acting great McKellen during an interview on his BBC Radio 2 talk show on Saturday (local time).
When asked if it would be annoying to see another actor take on his iconic role, McKellen responded, "What do you mean, another Gandalf?"
"I haven't said yes because I haven't been asked. But are you suggesting that someone else is going to play it?" the actor continued. "Gandalf is over 7000 years old, so I'm not too old."
That seems like a verbal contract to us.
While McKellen may be ready to make the jump to television, his LOTR co-star Andy Serkis reportedly isn't. The actor behind Gollum in the films told the Toronto Sun last month that his time with the franchise is over and he wouldn't be involved in the television series.
"I don't think I actually would at this point in time," Serkis said. "I feel like I've been part of Middle-Earth for a long period of time in my life and it was a great experience, but I can't foresee that."
No major plot details surrounding the new series have been confirmed by Amazon, except that the show will be set before the seminal JRR Tolkien tome, but will be comprised of "previously unexplored stories" rather than a new take on The Hobbit.
Newshub.
