Gandalf actor Ian McKellen, who portrayed the wizard in Peter Jackson's trilogy and reprised the role for The Hobbit trilogy, described Gandalf the White as less funny and not as down-to-earth as the previous version of the character.

What actor turned down the role of Gandalf?

I certainly wasn't the first choice for Gandalf,” McKellen said. “Tony Hopkins turned it down. Sean Connery certainly did. They're all coming out of the woodwork now, and I hope they feel silly.”

What is the difference between Gandalf the White and Gandalf the GREY?

He becomes more assertive, commanding, and authoritative, as well as grumpier. Gandalf the White exudes an aura of confidence and power greater than his grey counterpart, and his transformation helps solidify his role as a leader in the fight against Sauron.

Why did Ian McKellen cry during The Hobbit?

It was actually the lack of real human emotion that made McKellen break down. In an interview with Contact Music, the thespian explained how the overuse of green screen technology on the film caused him to cry. “In order to shoot the dwarves and a large Gandalf, we couldn't be in the same set.

Did Ian McKellen wear a prosthetic nose for Gandalf?

Will his nose be yours, or has it been altered with makeup or a prosthesis? A: It is Gandalf's nose and Gandalf's beard and hair. He does not wear a wig or any prosthetics. So he doesn't have to sit through 3 hours of make-up before arriving on set.

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

Who was almost cast as Gandalf?

Sean Connery, Patrick Stewart, and Christopher Plummer were all offered the role of Middle-Earth protector Gandalf. When they turned it down, Sam Neill was considered before Ian McKellen accepted the role he was born to play.

What did Gandalf actually look like?

Characteristics. Tolkien describes Gandalf as the last of the wizards to appear in Middle-earth, one who "seemed the least, less tall than the others, and in looks more aged, grey-haired and grey-clad, and leaning on a staff".

Why did Viggo Mortensen turned down The Hobbit?

However, he had a very sensible reason for turning down the prequel—his character is nowhere to be found in original novel by J.R.R. Tolkien, which served as a prequel to the Rings saga and takes place 60 years earlier.

Did Legolas ever talk to Frodo?

In fact, there's only one line that Legolas says to Frodo: “And you have my bow.” Fans have noted that this isn't the case in the novels since the two characters engage in proper conversations in parts that had not been covered in Jackson's adaptation.

Why did Ian McKellen almost quit The Hobbit?

“I cried… and the whole studio heard”: Sir Ian McKellen Almost Ruined 'The Hobbit' After Breaking Down On-Set Due To His Hatred For CGI.

Why does Gandalf say he is Saruman?

Summary. Gandalf's claim to be Saruman when he returned in The Two Towers was because his resurrection as Gandalf the White meant he had taken on the role and form of the White Wizard. The wizards in Middle-earth were avatars or incarnations of the powerful Maiar beings, with Saruman as the leader.

Who is more powerful Galadriel or Gandalf?

As previously stated, Gandalf is a Maia and is therefore superior to Elves regarding power. Still, this isn't to say that an elf couldn't develop enough skill and power to defeat a Maia. As a bearer of one of the Three Elven Rings (Nenya), Galadriel would have an edge against Maiar like Saruman and Radagast.

Is Gandalf the White stronger than Sauron?

But, we are talking about Gandalf the White. This Gandalf defeated Saruman, so he is also above Saruman. However, he is still les powerful then Sauron.

Why did Sean Connery refuse Gandalf?

Sean Connery previously claimed he turned down the part of Gandalf because he “never understood” the world of Middle Earth. “I read the book. I read the script. I saw the movie.

Who turned down the role of Frodo?

Jake Gyllenhaal tried out for Frodo, but did no research on the role and bombed so badly that he was advised to fire his agent. Sean Connery and Patrick Stewart were both asked to be Gandalf. Stewart was just plain not interested in the character, and Connery passed as he did not understand the script.

Who was the original Aragorn actor fired?

Townsend was hired to play the part of Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, but was replaced by Viggo Mortensen the day before principal photography began. According to Townsend: I was there rehearsing and training for two months, then was fired the day before filming began.

Is Galadriel Legolas mom?

Yet, since Tolkien does give family trees for other important Elves in the book, such as Galadriel and Elrond, it's clear that Galadriel is not Legolas's mother. (Besides, she is one of the Noldor, not a Silvan or Sindar Elf.)

Did Legolas already know Aragorn?

He Met Aragorn

Though the timelines don't quite match up with Thranduil's post-Hobbit advice for Legolas to find "Strider," it is implied that Legolas and Aragorn met between the two movies. If not from Legolas' travels, then they two met when Aragorn brought Gollum to Mirkwood, per Gandalf's request.

Why does Legolas never run out of arrows?

He refills his quiver with Orc arrows (the work of Saruman's people), which were noted to be longer in the shaft than Orc arrows usually are. Yes and No. Pretty sure it isn't addressed in the LOTR movies, but he does run out of arrows in the Battle of the Five Armies and is forced to switch to his daggers.

Who is the richest actor in Lord of the Rings?

Why did Russell Crowe turned down Aragorn?

While speaking on the Howard Stern Show in 2019, Crowe confirmed long-held suspicions that he was up for the role. The studio had heavy interest in him, but after a phone call with Jackson, he could gauge that the director had other stars in mind. It was due to this lack of interest that it didn't happen.

Who almost played Aragorn?

Irish actor Stuart Townsend (Queen of the Damned, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen) was originally cast as Aragorn and even made it a few weeks into production.

What does Galadriel call Gandalf?

She calls him Mithrandir. It's his name in elvish. The root word is mith which has to do with silver. Mithril, for example, is that silver armor shirt that Bill has that is later given to Frodo.

Why is Galadriel so powerful?

The majority of her powers come from her Ring of Power, Nenya, the Ring of Water. The ring, also known by the names the White Ring and the Ring of Adamant, is one of the three Rings of Power given to the Elves of Middle-earth in the Second Age.

Where did Gandalf go when he died?

He was re-embodied and sent back to Middle-earth by an entity or entities who gave him his task in the first place — either the Valar, or Middle-earth's supreme creator god himself, Eru Ilúvatar. And, of course, he was sent back changed.