Ian McKellen: 'I don't much like Gandalf (the White)'

Sir Ian McKellen talks about Grey vs. White, returning to Middle Earth, Shakespeare, gay pride, Magneto, fantasy blockbusters and fanboys. December 2012

[HupfDole]

Gandalf was perfectly portrayed by him. it is a role and character i will always treasure! sincerely thank you!

[leofcpm]

Gandalf the white is sort of a complete character, he's in perfect balance with himself and the world around him which gives you the feeling that he's above everyone else, being less human and more like an angel (or maia in this case). Gandalf the grey really is way more human, flawed etc

[JillValentine]

Ian Mckellen and Christopher Lee are legendary actors

[Max-pxym]

Gimli in the Fangorn Forest: _"This new Gandalf's more grumpy than the old one."_

[passionoflovers]

Well, it makes sense really. Gandalf The Grey was the guardian and the watchful eye, whilst being a comfy old man drinking tea and hanging out with Hobbits and what not..
Gandalf The White is all business. The mere purpose of his existence is to help Middle Earth fight Sauron, and thus he has far less time to fuck around smoking his pipe.

[jonathankieranwriter]

Gandalf in his resurrected mode was “sent back” from death by the Valar (gods) as a transfigured being—still incarnated in a mortal-ish body, but more completely in synchronicity with (and aware of) his original, inherent identity/nature as one of the angelic Maiar beings. Tolkien was clear that when the Istari wizards first appeared in Middle Earth as guides against the darkness of Sauron, they would mostly forget their true natures and past existences in The West, experience the exhaustions, pains, and moods of human form (though not perish due to age) and also learn all of their magic over again, by acquiring knowledge in Middle Earth. They were not allowed to expose their true angelic selves in full power in order to maintain their tasks as guides and counsellors, rather than dominating, interfering archangels like Sauron. This is why the wizards’ powers had limits and could exhibit certain relative weaknesses, for example, needing their staffs to wield the greater measure of their magic, etc. They could be challenged by the Nazgul, killed by Balrogs, etc. I always interpreted Gandalf’s resurrection as the White Rider to mean that his sacrifice of his own life for his friends (in the Balrog duel) was the “gift” that led the gods to send him back as a more potent and fully realized manifestation of his Maiar self, and thus not as vulnerable and emotionally attached to the reality of Middle Earth as he was in his grey form. Whatever the case, McKellen played both aspects of the hero brilliantly.

[davidjorgensen]

In 1984, (before the "Sir"), MR. McKellen did his one-man show called "Acting Shakespeare" at the Royal Alex Theatre in Toronto. For his finale, he asked for volunteers from the audience to join him on stage. Mesmerized by his performance, I leapt at the request, along with 20 or 30 others, and just happened to find myself standing at his immediate left. He took us all in a huddle and gave us the instruction that, on a key line from Henry V, we should all fall dead to the floor. I don't recall the exact line, but the moment got much laughter from the audience, upon which he beckoned us corpses to join him for the final bow. We arose and grasped hands with whichever two "actors" stood to either side, at which point I found my right hand clasped in the left of Mr. McKellen. What a joy it's been to follow the trajectory of his popular success knowing that I'd had this brief contact with him when he was "merely" a respected stage actor.

[TheBosten-xotv]

While Gandalf the grey felt very human, Gandalf the white seemed a bit more spirit like in my opinion

[FunOriginalGaming]

Sir Ian came to my school today and he said "you shall not pass" it was brilliant

[kaceyrulz]

Ian is such a talented man. Wonderful actor and just seems like a kind person

[melvinsamson]

Sir Ian Mckellan immortalised the character of Gandalf..I simply can't imagine him played by anybody else

[AKhellbindeR]

My right ear enjoyed the question, and the left ear enjoyed the answer.

[CrniWuk]

He deserved his own Magneto movie. Just a great actor.

[Ostebrix]

I like how he calls his fans for friends ^^ he is great...

[Dewebje]

How sad the qeustioner don't ask further. I mean: WHY does McKellen like The Grey more than the White? That would be interesting.

[punkslapper]

Ian McKellan is a brilliant actor. His work is extraordinary.

[Phenomena]

I cannot believe how amazing Ian McKellen is as an actor. He will forever hold a spot in my memory of LOTR and Hobbit series

[Mors_Umber]

Can't imagine a Gandalf without this man. What a spectacular job he did with the character!

[Aussiemarco]

Such a wonderful gentleman. His attitude towards his most well known roles is the opposite to Alec Guiness and Obi Wan. He soon tired of Star Wars after it was released and he hated it. He refused interviews because he knew he’d be asked about SW. Sir Ian, on the other hand, relishes his movie roles and enjoys talking about them. A true artist and gentleman. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[leahl]

My favorite Gandalf moments are those where his ego shines through. Like how he often wants to be the last person to speak before parting lol it makes him seem more human, and less of an unrelatable perfect angel