McKellan talks about why he almost wasn’t in The Hobbit
by Doc on Jan.13, 2011, under Movies
Ian McKellan updated his blog about what kept him from committing to The Hobbit. “All I had to decide was what to do with the time that is given me.” After setting his schedule to be in the area, delays just kept cropping up. Plus, “I kept wondering was Gandalf what I most wanted to do, more than a new play for instance or indeed a new part? Sequels aren’t necessarily as rewarding to act in as their originals. Could I let Gandalf go? Would anyone else care if I did? Elsewhere, does anyone care that Michael Gambon was not the first to play Dumbledore?” In the end, it wasn’t the money that was the deciding point, but dates. “Gandalf is needed on set over the next 18 months but with sizeable breaks when I can work on other projects. My worry that I could not easily escape from Middle Earth was lifted. I am happy to say I start filming in Wellington on February 21 2011.”