Sir Ian McKellen, the acclaimed actor renowned for his role as Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings franchise, has declared that he has no intention of retiring from acting. The 85-year-old star also expressed his strong desire to continue portraying the iconic wizard in any forthcoming adaptations of the beloved fantasy series.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, McKellen addressed his future in the acting world following a recent accident. In June, while performing in Player Kings at London’s West End, McKellen fell off the stage, resulting in a broken wrist and a chipped vertebra. Despite this setback, he remains determined to continue his career. “I shall just keep at it as long as the legs and the lungs and the mind keep working,” he stated.
However, McKellen revealed that he plans to “take the rest of the year off” to recover from his injuries. Despite this, he has made it clear that he is not ready to step aside from his role as Gandalf. “I’m not letting anyone else put on the pointy hat and beard if I can help it,” he said, emphasizing his commitment to the role.
The new installment of the Lord of the Rings series, titled The Hunt for Gollum, is scheduled for release in 2026. Andy Serkis, who previously portrayed Gollum, will direct and star in the film. McKellen, who played Gandalf in both the original Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit films, expressed enthusiasm about his involvement in the new project. In a separate interview with the Big Issue, he mentioned, “Enthusiasm for The Lord of the Rings shows no sign of abating,” though he admitted that he does not yet have details about the script or the timing of the new films.
Reflecting on his recent accident, McKellen described it as a “complete accident” and insisted it was not related to his age. He explained that his foot became caught in a chair on stage, causing him to skid off. During an interview with BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, McKellen revealed that he experienced significant emotional distress following the fall. “I said to myself as I tripped and slid off the stage, ‘This is the end’. These were the words in my mind, ‘This is the end’.”
Despite his physical recovery, McKellen has taken a break from acting and was replaced in Player Kings for its UK tour. He admitted to feeling physically weak and has been engaging in exercise to aid his recovery. “Of course, it’s emotional,” he said, reflecting on the challenges of aging. “We all trip all our lives; it’s just when you get to my age you can’t always get up again.”
McKellen’s role as John Falstaff in Player Kings was noted for requiring a fat suit, which he believes helped protect his “ribs and other joints.” As he recuperates, McKellen is also preparing for the release of his new film The Critic, which portrays a gay theatre critic in the 1930s and is set to hit cinemas later this month.
