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Ian McKellen Shares Why Gandalf is the Best Movie Mentor Ever


Ian McKellen has played a lot of iconic roles in cinema, and one of them remains to be Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films. While people are still hoping he makes an appearance in Amazon's upcoming Lord of the Rings series, McKellen shares an article on why he was so eager to reprise Gandalf and play him in the first place.

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Credit: MGM

This was an article written by David Martinez on tvovermind.com. Here's McKellen's post:

While mentors are commonplace in films like Dumbledore and Obi-Wan Kenobi, Gandalf has somehow managed to single himself out by being a real underdog among wizards. Martinez writes:

Gandalf is basically what we would be if we were wizards in a world filled with other very powerful wizards. He's the underdog of the group; he's not the biggest and not even the most powerful wizard, but he actually doesn't need to be. While he's still very powerful, he didn't make a name for himself by showing off his power.

Martinez also notes how Gandalf is a ‘man of the people.' While he is still responsible for warding off evil in Middle-Earth, he still takes the time to enjoy the company of those that he protects; that's why you can see Gandalf enjoy smoking with Bilbo or bringing fireworks for kids. You'd never think Dumbledore would do the same with Harry, even before his death.

What's more, Gandalf can not only be a source of great wisdom but humor as well. One moment he's scolding Pippin for being an idiot, but the next he's comforting the very same idiot before his possible death, and it all makes sense for the character.

We don't know if we'll ever see Gandalf again, but if they ever plan to have him a cameo in Amazon's Lord of the Rings, hopefully, Ian McKellen will be willing to return.

No release date has been set for Amazon Prime Video's Lord of the Rings series.

Read Also: Why Lord of The Rings Star Hugo Weaving Doesn't Want to Return for Amazon Series

For more articles like this, take a look at our Lord of the Rings page.