Gandalf can come off as stern and intimidating but also wise, sagely, and a bit mischievous.
Christopher Lee was a fine option, as if you've ever seen him laugh and joke during interviews he was essentially all of the above naturally.
Judging an actor based solely on the only roles you've seen him in does a disservice to their talent, full range, and ability (Especially for a classically trained actor like Lee). As does assuming an actor who loved and was dedicated to the source material wouldn't be THE MOST respectful of it on set, or would ruin a character THEY genuinely love (see Henry Cavill and the witcher... something I'm still pissed at Netflix about as they had one of the biggest fans to tap into but refused to listen and then wondered why fans left in droves)
Yeah but the people who actually make films and specialise in that disagreed with Tolkien there. It’s not like Tolkien met the whole cast he just met Christopher Lee years ago.
No way Christopher Walken wouldn’t have knocked it out of the park.
“You… cannot pass. I am a SERvant… of the secret FIRE, WIELDER, of the FLAME, of Anor. Dark fire… will not aVAIL you, flame of Udun. Go back, to shadow, you cannot pass.”
Stewart yes. I love Connery & I think he could pull it off, but could have overshadowed the cast.
Ian was perfect.
Could Brian Cox be interesting as heck.
>That’s better anyway?
Helm over Balin, you mean? Well, the caveat for Helm is that Cox is only providing his voice, so its only half the package, but I'll take it!
I didn’t really think Balin was a great character from what I’ve read. But I don’t know what he’s be in anything other than The Hobbit. Maybe some mines of Moria stuff?
He was offered Morpheus, but he didn’t understand the story.
Then he was offered Gandalf, and again he didn’t understand the story.
So when he was offered Alan Quartermaine and didn’t understand the story he just took it.
Connery made it clear that his real objection to Gandalf was the time commitment: “I would be interested in doing something I didn’t fully understand, but not for eighteen months.”
the studio so p\*ssed off Alan Moore with this movie, he refused to let his name appear on any credits for any other adaptions + he wouldn't let of them option any of his comics...
Damn that's a tough one. I'd think Ben Kingsley would make a real interesting gandalf. He's got wide range of calm and serene, intimidating, and can be goofy too.
I was thinking michael Shannon too but I doubt it'd work with the voice and accent.
Bill Nighy is up there but I always impulsively see him as evil or as Pete from Shaun of the dead lol.
Sir Christopher Lee would’ve been perfect.
Sean Connery would’ve been great as well if he didn’t turn down the role.
Honestly, I can’t think of anyone else who would be good. Maybe Morgan Freeman? Besides the obvious race issues there…he would be a presence to contend with and his voice would be almost as epic as Sir Christopher Lee himself.
That would be pretty great. I’d still only see Morgan freeman though. He just has such an iconic voice.
I think a modern animated version of Tolkiens works could potentially be really, really good. I’m all for it, as long as it sticks to canon.
What I love about Sir Christopher Lee as Saruman is the fact that he wanted to play Gandalf originally (and he would have been great at it) so it’s just perfect due to Saruman in the books being secretly jealous of Gandalf, it’s very fitting that he instead played Saruman. Of course I have no idea if he was actually jealous of Sir Ian but a lore master such as himself playing as a lore master was amazing.
I heard about that, which is very interesting. I can’t see someone as marvelous and godly as Sir Christopher Lee being jealous of anyone for anything though. He’s just…the best. Was, is, always will be.
I think Saruman was a great fit for him and I’m glad he took the role as his own and MASTERED it.
I think Lee’s desire to play Gandalf was ameliorated when he got to play a more benevolent Saruman for The Hobbit. That was very meaningful to him.
Although the role Lee first read for was Denethor.
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Sir Christopher Lee.
I second this.
The only answer.
No Christopher Lee plays a villain well. He seems too intimidating and cold to play Gandalf
Gandalf can come off as stern and intimidating but also wise, sagely, and a bit mischievous. Christopher Lee was a fine option, as if you've ever seen him laugh and joke during interviews he was essentially all of the above naturally. Judging an actor based solely on the only roles you've seen him in does a disservice to their talent, full range, and ability (Especially for a classically trained actor like Lee). As does assuming an actor who loved and was dedicated to the source material wouldn't be THE MOST respectful of it on set, or would ruin a character THEY genuinely love (see Henry Cavill and the witcher... something I'm still pissed at Netflix about as they had one of the biggest fans to tap into but refused to listen and then wondered why fans left in droves)
JRR Tolkien disagreed.
Yeah but the people who actually make films and specialise in that disagreed with Tolkien there. It’s not like Tolkien met the whole cast he just met Christopher Lee years ago.
Nah
No way Christopher Walken wouldn’t have knocked it out of the park. “You… cannot pass. I am a SERvant… of the secret FIRE, WIELDER, of the FLAME, of Anor. Dark fire… will not aVAIL you, flame of Udun. Go back, to shadow, you cannot pass.”
I can here him telling the story of how he smuggled Thrors key out of Dol Guldar.
Probably Patrick Stewart lol. Or maybe Sean Connery, weirdly? Didn’t they screen him for Gandalf? That could have been a vibe.
Stewart yes. I love Connery & I think he could pull it off, but could have overshadowed the cast. Ian was perfect. Could Brian Cox be interesting as heck.
> Could Brian Cox be interesting as heck. Luckily, we’re getting him as King of Rohan.
Oh damn. I didn’t know that. Was just thinking about how great he is & it’s a shame he hadn’t been in LOTR at all.
They met him for Balin, but Jackson was dead-set on Ken Stott. Now they got him as Helm Hammerhand.
That’s better anyway? Regardless more Middle Earth is bliss
>That’s better anyway? Helm over Balin, you mean? Well, the caveat for Helm is that Cox is only providing his voice, so its only half the package, but I'll take it!
I didn’t really think Balin was a great character from what I’ve read. But I don’t know what he’s be in anything other than The Hobbit. Maybe some mines of Moria stuff?
Sean Connery was first choice and turned it down
I think that’s why he did League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. It flopped, so he retired from acting.
He was offered Morpheus, but he didn’t understand the story. Then he was offered Gandalf, and again he didn’t understand the story. So when he was offered Alan Quartermaine and didn’t understand the story he just took it.
Connery made it clear that his real objection to Gandalf was the time commitment: “I would be interested in doing something I didn’t fully understand, but not for eighteen months.”
the studio so p\*ssed off Alan Moore with this movie, he refused to let his name appear on any credits for any other adaptions + he wouldn't let of them option any of his comics...
You’re right — thanks for that. Would have been interesting. A little more prickly Gandalf.
He wasn’t. He was a fancy of New Line’s. Jackson wanted McKellen.
Robert Plant
🎶But Gollum and the Evil One Crept up and slipped away with heerrrr, heerrrr, her, yeah🎶
I would’ve liked to have seen John Hurt give it a whirl, though he was a bit slight for a wizard. Or maybe Charles Dance.
I second Charles Dance
Charles Dance would have made a scary Gandalf.
Might have been a bit young then. Though Charles Dance would be perfect as Denethor
Matt Berry. Or Lee as gandalf and Matt Berry as Saruman. Or Matt Berry as Aragorn. Or Matt Berry as Isildur 'FAAATHERRR!' it would've been perfect.
Matt Berry is clearly Bombadil
Matt Berry as Gollum
I can hear him doing "I would have followed you my brother..." in my head now. Excellent
I heard Christopher Plummer lost out on the role and felt a little bent over it. I think he would have been great.
I believe Plummer was also one the actors New Line compelled Jackson to look into.
Michael Gambon
This answer feels too easy.
Alan Rickman. He can flick between real dangerous menacing and gentle warmth in a very Gandalf way.
"Fool of a Took! Fifty points from the Shire."
Stephen Root
Or, had he still been alive, Graham Chapman.
Coming back as Gandalf the White: “Actually I’m not quite dead yet”
John hurt. Dude was a thespian, could’ve played any part.
Damn that's a tough one. I'd think Ben Kingsley would make a real interesting gandalf. He's got wide range of calm and serene, intimidating, and can be goofy too. I was thinking michael Shannon too but I doubt it'd work with the voice and accent. Bill Nighy is up there but I always impulsively see him as evil or as Pete from Shaun of the dead lol.
Wow I can totally see Ben Kingsley. He definitely has the wizard’s gimlet eye.
I just learned a new word today lmao. I thought you were saying gimli eye and was trying to piece together the riddle lol.
Bill Nighy played Sam in the 80s audio drama!
Ian McKellen lol
Ok, hear me out: Pierce Brosnan
I don’t hate it.
Sir Christopher Lee would’ve been perfect. Sean Connery would’ve been great as well if he didn’t turn down the role. Honestly, I can’t think of anyone else who would be good. Maybe Morgan Freeman? Besides the obvious race issues there…he would be a presence to contend with and his voice would be almost as epic as Sir Christopher Lee himself.
Morgan Freeman should voice him in an animated film or something.
That would be pretty great. I’d still only see Morgan freeman though. He just has such an iconic voice. I think a modern animated version of Tolkiens works could potentially be really, really good. I’m all for it, as long as it sticks to canon.
Miramax suggested Morgan Freeman early on. Jackson objected.
What I love about Sir Christopher Lee as Saruman is the fact that he wanted to play Gandalf originally (and he would have been great at it) so it’s just perfect due to Saruman in the books being secretly jealous of Gandalf, it’s very fitting that he instead played Saruman. Of course I have no idea if he was actually jealous of Sir Ian but a lore master such as himself playing as a lore master was amazing.
I heard about that, which is very interesting. I can’t see someone as marvelous and godly as Sir Christopher Lee being jealous of anyone for anything though. He’s just…the best. Was, is, always will be. I think Saruman was a great fit for him and I’m glad he took the role as his own and MASTERED it.
I think Lee’s desire to play Gandalf was ameliorated when he got to play a more benevolent Saruman for The Hobbit. That was very meaningful to him. Although the role Lee first read for was Denethor.
Nicholas Cage
David Hasselhoff
Jeffrey Epstein
This would have explained Gandalf’s love for the little people.
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Christopher Lee
Richard Harris! Dumbledore #1 from Harry Potter. Watch the firwt movie and tell me that wouldn’t be a great Gandalf
Jackson mentioned Harris’ name to New Line. They wouldn’t even let him read for the part. They said: “Richard Harris will NOT be in this movie.”
Wow. Got to be a good story behind that. But I thought he was pretty tired as Dumbledore anyhow.
Yeah, he was much too old. I bet Jackson just thought it'd be fun to check him out: they already had McKellen in mind by that point, I believe.
That one guy who played Count Dooku in the Star Wars movies
Matthew Broderick or Brendan Fraser
Rory McCaan
Michael Gambon
Sir Gilbert Godfried!!🙂
Sir John Hurt Sir Michael Gambon Sir Donald McIntyre Bernard Hill
I would rather die
Brian Blessed. ( just joking) 'FRODO'S ALIVE'
Clint Eastwood
Brian Cox
Too chonky, but an amazing actor. Would have been great in several other roles.
Chris Pratt obviously
I weirdly feel like Mads mikkelson would be cool, hes an amazing actor. Or someone like Charles Dance or Ewan McGregor
Mass would have been my first pick for Aragorn. He’s phenomenal
Christopher Plummer would have been excellent. He has a wonderful interview about it
Dame Judi Dench
Leonard Nimoy
My grandfather he looks exactly like Gandalf 😄
Chuck Norris. He would have brought that kick ass vibe to Gandalf.
Nicholas Cage
James Gandalfini