Sir Ian McKellan Keen to Play Gandalf Again

"If I am still functioning and working well, it is very likely I would be asked to do it," he told Reuters. Sir Ian played the role in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, landing an Oscar nomination in the process. Due to a legal dispute with film studio New Line, however, Peter Jackson will not be back as director for The Hobbit.

"When Peter announced he had withdrawn from The Hobbit, he sent me an email saying: 'Because I am not going to do it, it doesn't mean you have to do the same,'" McKellen is quoted as saying. "'Of course, you must play Gandalf whether I direct or not.'" "I am glad to read that it is looking more and more likely," the 68-year-old continued. "I would be disappointed if they didn't want to have the original Gandalf."

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Sir Ian is currently in Los Angeles playing the title role in the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of King Lear. The veteran actor said playing the part was extremely taxing "spiritually and emotionally and mentally".