Ian McKellen will return in new Lord of the Rings film – but only if this shocking condition is met!

Ian McKellen expresses willingness to reprise Gandalf role under one condition

Ian McKellen has stated that he is open to reprising his iconic role as Gandalf in the newly announced Lord of the Rings film, "The Hunt for Gollum," but with one morbid stipulation. The actor addressed rumors about his potential involvement in an interview with The Times.

Warner Bros recently announced "The Hunt for Gollum," which will focus on Andy Serkis's character, Gollum. Following the announcement, fans speculated that Gandalf might appear in the film. McKellen confirmed there are "stirrings in Tolkien land" but clarified, “There is no script, there is no offer, there is no plan.”

The 85-year-old actor expressed his willingness to participate, saying he would do so “if I’m alive.” Reflecting on his age, McKellen noted, “If you want to know that you are mortal, you just have to look at your address book. And so when a script comes through, or the hint of an offer, you think, ‘This might be my last job. No. I’m not doing that.’”

Andy Serkis, who will direct "The Hunt for Gollum," expressed his excitement about the project, stating, “Yesssss, Precious. The time has come once more to venture into the unknown with my dear friends, the extraordinary and incomparable guardians of Middle Earth Peter, Fran, and Philippa. With Mike and Pam, and the Warner Bros team on the quest as well, alongside WETA and our filmmaking family in New Zealand. It’s just all too delicious.”

Peter Jackson and his fellow producers, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, also shared their enthusiasm. They said, “It is an honour and a privilege to travel back to Middle-earth with our good friend and collaborator, Andy Serkis, who has unfinished business with that Stinker – Gollum! As life-long fans of Professor Tolkien’s vast mythology, we are proud to be working with Mike De Luca, Pam Abdy and the entire team at Warner Bros on another epic adventure!”

"The Hunt for Gollum" is the first of several planned new Lord of the Rings projects to be released by Warner Bros in the coming decade.