Sir Ian McKellen talks about Grey vs. White, returning to Middle Earth, Shakespeare, gay pride, Magneto, fantasy blockbusters and fanboys. December 2012
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
I wouldn't say self-righteous. More impatient, maybe. "The grey pilgrim, that's what they used to call me. For three hundred lives of men I walked this earth, and now, I have no time..." Having been sent back at the "turn of the tide," you could imagine Gandalf would be under considerable pressure, especially with how quickly Sauron was advancing around this time. I always interpreted his tone to be as kind as it was before, his actions as selfless. His authority as the newly instated leader of the Istari, or the wizards, also doesn't have anything to do with it, considering Gandalf was always considered to be the greatest of the Istari (by Cirdan, for example), and was even asked (by Galadriel) to be the leader of the White Council (consisting of Galadriel, Elrond, Cirdan, and Saruman), a position that he denied because he didn't want to be bound to anyone other than the Valar that sent him. With this in mind, I have absolutely no doubt that Gandalf never wanted or asked to be the replacement for Saruman, especially not when we consider that during his time in Valinor (before being sent to Middle-Earth the first time, obviously), Gandalf (who was then called Olorin), didn't want to even go, but agreed because Manwe (the leader of the Valar) asked him to.
People tend to relate more with flawed things because they are more human-like. Being italian, reading Dante's Divine Comedy was a big part of my school education in italian classes, and I've been told several times that people generally love the Inferno part, which is the most focused on the human flaws, much more than Purgatorio and Paradiso, precisely because everybody can relate to sinners, while it's pretty hard to relate to something completely perfect and ethereal.
uhhh yeahh no he wasn't at all. gandalf's character was completely trashed in the movies. the movie gandalf is an angry dotard and his interactions with pippin and merry are completely wrong compared to what actually happened in the books.
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.
+Jill Valentine Now if only Sir Ian McKellen played as Elminster Aumar and Christopher Lee played as Halaster Blackcloak both from D&D Forgotten Realms, what would you do if such was the case? (I will have to admit since Christopher Lee died, then someone else would have to play him)
And despite they being legendary, they weren't above everyone else. Looks at current Hollywood actors. They were approachable and did help people. These were true Shakespearean actors and they understood what it took to make it. It wasn't handed to them, they had to earn it.
Probably because his essence which inhabited both bodies is immortal. He was reincarnated into a new body and became Gandalf the White in the process, occurring 20 days after the Balrog, Durin's Bane, and he mutually killed each other.
He was scolded by a boss, send back to a place he didn't want to go, given a deadline and small chance of success. I think any person will look like a ghost under this conditions.
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.
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.
Olorin was sent back by Eru Iluvitar, the true god, not by the Valar. I'd also say that Gandalf the White seeming different than Gandalf the Grey is more due to his role being different and time was short. Being the White Wizard meant he was the head of the Istari and so his responsibility was greater than when he was the Grey Wizard. When he was resurrected there wasn't as much time left so Gandalf had to be more serious and to the point for the War of the Ring to be won, which may seem like detachment and less emotional.
@@seandobbins2231 you got it wrong, it's the other way around. "The Ainur (singular Ainu) were divine spirits, the 'Holy Ones'. They were the first beings created by Ilúvatar, the 'order' of the Valar and Maiar, made before Eä."
@@Jay-fb5sv thanks I was gonna say the same thing. My understanding is that the Valar are just special-case Ainur-they are Maiar that are particularly strong and powerful, with the first created and most powerful being Melkor, who knew “all of the mind of Ilúvatar” while Manwë and the other Valar and lesser Maiar only knew parts of the mind of Ilúvatar. But I did not understand until recently that we think Olórin was repackaged and returned to middle earth by Ilúvatar himself. I didn’t think Ilúvatar directly intervened in anything past the the creation of the Ainur, Eä, and the “children of Ilúvatar” (Elves and Men). I had assumed that Olórin was working directly for Manwë and the Valar. But people have been saying his spirit traveled back to Ilúvatar who saw that his work was good and sent him back with more ammo to get the job done, having proved himself worthy of trust.
Richard Harris doesn't think so. In fact he said that Ian wasn't a good actor at all. But, He's dead and Ian isn't and Ian in my opinion is a far better actor than Harris. But yes, he does seem like a person we would definitely get along with. Bless his heart.
an opportunity missed, but not for Ian making the effort to collaborate on a flowing conversation that sort of oh well, let's stagnate in the backwaters
@@barbaragoode9436 He said he doesn't like gandalf the white 'as a person' which tells me he has something against him. If he thought the white version was just more detached or less human he could still like him as a person. I'm thinking he felt the white version was like priests who shame people for being gay because he had convictions?
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. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Very true! Although you have to admit Lord of the Rings, an epic literature, generally has a higher status over Star Wars, a great space opera, but ultimately just a blockbuster film series
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
Gandalf the Grey had more origin,more innocent flaws, more human characteristics, more of an all good spirit, while gandalf the white seemed to be alot more like saruman the white before he was corrupted, he was more powerful and more stern. he remained compassionate and what not but he lost the innocent flaws that made him more unique and the demeanor that gave him character, the demeanor that gave him the old man who has seen some crazy shit,did some crazy shit and also would be cool to hang out with and get good advice from type of guy. lol Gandalf the Grey embodied all of that for me. he is my favorite fictional character of all time not just lord of the rings. and Ian McKellen is the face of all of it. he's the image of him that can't be replaced, a great actor.
Well, Iluvatar (god) send Gandalf back to replace Saruman because of his corruption, so it does make sence they're alike. Though I agree it would've been a lot nicer if he'd kept more of his old personality. Same goes for Radagast. He's accurate and all, but I'd love to see him a bit more like a 'proper wizard'.
Nope, Eru had nothing to do with that. The only time he ever intervened after he created Arda was when he sank Númenor into the sea. He didn't even help the Valar fight Morgoth so why would he send back a Maia to help defeat another Maia?
MrLiquidman18 No, the original poster is correct. Tolkien explicitly stated that it was The One who sent Gandalf/Olorin back. Here is a quote from Letter 156--" In the end before he (Gandalf) departs for ever he sums himself up: ‘I was the enemy of Sauron’. He might have added: ‘for that purpose I was sent to Middle-earth’. But by that he would at the end have meant more than at the beginning. He was sent by a mere prudent plan of the angelic Valar or governors; but Authority (God) had taken up this plan and enlarged it, at the moment of its failure. ‘Naked I was sent back - for a brief time, until my task is done’. Sent back by whom, and whence? Not by the ‘gods’ whose business is only with this embodied world and its time; for he passed ‘out of thought and time’."
Gandalf the Grey is advisor and sentinel in peaceful times, with warm relation to the peoples of Middle-Earth. Gandalf the White is leader and the general of the Good Armies in the times of war against Sauron. Different times, different mission, different Gandalf. Gandalf the Grey couldn't have lead the armies of Gondor in the siege of Minas Tirith or the Rohirrim in the siege of Helm's Deep.
omg this man's voice is so powerful. No wonder they cast him to play fantasy like characters with deep evokotive voices and narative monlogues in films. Like wow. Just him speaking, is enough to make you feel a sence of "DOMINANCE" and "POWER" in that voice that takes control. Him along with Christopher Lee are two of the greatest legendary voice actors for this style and genre of film.
ian mckellen and christopher lee as well as viggo mortensen were perfectly in their roles. those 3 actors where perfect and i highly doubt anyone else could have done it better. tbh: there was, is and will be never a better solution to those roles.
gandalf the grey felt more human. more real. there was a personality there, experience and charm. gandalf the white seems so sterile and void of origin
+Alexander Ditimus Gandalf the white did indeed seem a lot more serious and goal driven.. but I think the picture is a little muddied due to the fact that we got to see a lot of Gandalf pre-world crisis when he relaxed, enjoyed himself with some weed, fireworks, dwarven/hobbit companies etc, whereas we've only seen very little of Gandalf the white post-world crisis, kicking back. Looking back, Gandalf the gray from after fellowship of the ring was composed till his death at the hands of the balrog was a lot more like Gandalf the white. Less powerful and less self assured, but very similar - shit needed to get done. I wonder how gandalf the white would have behaved had there not been a world crisis. We have seen that he can laugh and can joke around a little.
Thor Klauson Gandalf the White could not stay on Middle Earth post-crisis. He had to leave when the crisis was averted. I suspect, had he not been killed in the Balrog fight, he would've remained Grey, and stayed on ME. But then he would not have overthrown Saruman. Curse you, Fate.
Daniel why couldn't he stay? Radagast stayed. Perhaps they were ordered to go back by the Valar, but couldn't they go against that order like Radagast did? And the blues too I guess.
Gandalf the Grey is better because he is more...iconic, everyone knows Gandalf by 'the grey one'. He has more swag then Gandalf the White because he has that simple iconic hat and the quote "You shall not pass!".
Why see them as two different characters? I always took it as character evolution, he simply developed over the span of the story. Of course when he was resurrected he had this sense of urgency to him and given the gravity of their situation it's understandable.
I took it as "the grey" being the culmination of thousands of years living in middle-earth. "The White" was freshly back to life and much closer to his original self.
@@RichardStrong86 I believe Gandalf "The White" is Saruman, as he should be, and therefore not at all "his original self," however of this I am not certain.
He such a cheery fun youthful old man, his existence just brings me so much joy beyond the fact that he portrayed the most wonderful wizard ever🧙🏻♂️ I’m really happy he’s still going on living a happy life & receiving so much love 🙏 May he have many more years to come
This interview is so old, but still enjoyable because of this wonderful actor and person Sir McKellen is. And I do understand why he didn't like Gandalf the White as much as the Grey, but he portrays both versions wonderfully. And in my opinion, there should be some difference between them as Gandalf grows from being attached (the grey grandfather and troubled old man) to detached (demigod), something Sir McKellen nails perfectly in my eyes. He really embodied the character how I envisioned him when I read the books, so many years ago. But so did many other of the excellent actors that Peter Jackson brought along in his project. Of course, I'm talking about LotR, but if you put aside expectations (and, you know, forget about the book), the Hobbit is quit nice as well on it's own.
If Ian McKellen only know how much he inspired me and influenced my life just by portraying Gandalf. His wise quotes about death, fear and friendship really made me look different at them and made me a better person in general. I will always be thankfull for the entire lotr crew for blessing us with those masterpieces.
Gandalf the Grey is when you're a part-timer. Plenty of time to go and have some fun and indulge between work. Gandalf the White you go full-time, shit hit the fan and your old boss got shit-canned. You had to step up and now the next time you get to mess around is when you retire.
Ian has perfectly portrayed both Gandalf and Magneto. Both very iconic charachters in the modern mythology. I think very few other actors has made such an impression on a whole generation.
I think the difference between the character in his two iterations is that when he died he was returned to the place of what are essentially the gods of Tolkien's world after wandering Middle Earth for hundreds (thousands?) of years. It was timeless; it felt like an eternity spent among the gods, and then he was returned. The character would have changed radically from such an experience, and I think Sir Ian played that change very well; even if he didn't like it very much.
Having seen Sir Ian as King Lear and being able to speak with him as an adoring fan was a highlight I will treasure!. I also was lucky to see Sir Patrick in the Tempest.
Gandalf the Grey is the guy who's focusing on saving the world but would still go out for a drink with you. Gandalf the White is just about saving the world. Ian Mckellan does a great job of highlighting the differences between them just through his mannerisms
Sir Ian is, to me at least, a magnificent actor. He portrayed Gandalf the Grey and Gandalf the White as nobody else could. He will always have a special place in my heart and in my memory. I say thank you to Sir Ian, for having such an impact on the white screen and for being the person that he is.
You mean, a man has to agree with him. Know your own role >(! Also, you're a shitty trainer. The Waif couldn't kill Arya, and Aray trampled around the town like a fool, allowing herself to get stabed.
So much frigging passion. I enjoyed watching his scenes with the White Council and Bard in the Hobbit films, since he clearly was enjoying the scenes a lot more (Given that he wasn't talking to a green screen in those scenes).
also because the fucktard who uploaded this decided to pan the mic channels to left and right. whilst dialogue should always be mono from both sides... at least for youtube
Even if you read Lord of the Rings before the movie, once you've seen the movie, you will always see McKellan when you imagine Gandalf. He so nailed it, they are now inseparable images.
I'd be intimidated to interview Sir Ian McKellen because he seems so educated and really into his work. He deserves all the credit he gets for a great actor because he truly is one and like I have no idea how to talk about his work unless I was truly into the craft of acting and storytelling which I'm merely a novice and rookie at.
Sir Ian I would like to say I’m 31 years old and I still love Gandalf as much in the year 2021 I love you so much I get a warm feeling I watch this still yes you are a amazing actor but you will always be Gandalf to me even as Gandalf the white 🤣🤣🤣 I love you so much I know you probably won’t see this but in case you do I just want to say thank you 🙏🙏🙏🥰🥰🥰❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
My interpretation was that Gandalf the White was different than Gandalf the Grey because Gandalf the White was supposed to be a portrayal of what Saruman the White was supposed to be. Saruman wasn’t happy about Gandalf’s new title/color because it was like the gods telling Saruman “you failed”.
I've been watching some of the extras for "An Unexpected Journey", and I can see why Ian would think he had a bad experience filming some parts of that movie. For much of it (like the first meeting of the Dwarves with Bilbo), he was not actually there with the other actors. For someone who 'grew up' on the stage, being forced to spend a lot of your time alone on a totally green set can probably get infuriating. At least when they made "Fellowship" he was still on the set with the other actors, they just used forced perspective to get the size relationships (something that wouldn't work because of the 3D tech they were using for this movie).
If you truly want to see something sad go look up Ian on the set of the hobbit. He literally cries because of how much green screen was being used. He broke down because of the way that movies are being made which is understandable. I feel bad for him of course but I feel even worse for Peter Jackson on the three Hobbit movies. The Lord of the Rings trilogy was planned meticulously by him and his crew for years before filming even started, he had plans on what he wanted to happen and how he wanted to film it. On The Hobbit he was basically thrown in the day filming started with no warning at all. Half the time he didn't have a full script and had to do it all on the fly. It's all Del Torro's fault because he was originally going to film the Hobbit, he was the one that designed a lot of the stuff and then he backed out and Peter got screwed by that. In the behind the scenes stuff he just looks like a man who's exhausted and defeated. I don't blame him for the hobbit being bad at all.
As I understood it, Del Torro was chosen because there were still some legal difficulties between Peter and New Line Cinema that prevented him from coming back to The Hobbit Trilogy. When that was eventually settled, he decided to come back and direct (while being properly compensated, that is ^_^). It is sad, because I like Del Torro as a director as well, and would have loved to see his vision for the trilogy played out.
Unfortunately that isn't the case. Peter Jackson had no interest in making The Hobbit but Del Torro did. That's why things are so different compared to the original trilogy. For instance the goblins look completely different because that's how Del Torro imagined them. The original trilogy took a lot out of Peter Jackson and he made it very clear that he had no interest in making any more movies in that world. Del Torro did however but decided to back out for some reason that I don't remember.
Ian is very accommodating to this interviewer. It seems as if the interviewer keeps reiterating the same question and then changes it once he notices (then subsequently ignores) Ian changing tack to come at it another way as if to say you already asked me this but you are helping people into their theatre seats so I will accommodate you and does it politely as ever. Ian is a rock star of stage and screen and a true gem and The Lord of the Rings series and the X-men movies are only scratching the surface of what he has accomplished. Of course he enjoys Shakespeare more, it is more theatrical and more enjoyable to play at. This is a great video and I am not hating the interviewer but appreciating Ian’s deftness at dealing with this type of interviewer
For Gandalf the Grey the end is approaching only after 1,000 years of his being around. For most of his stay on Middle Earth things weren't all that immanent. The ring hadn't been discovered until just before his demise. For Gandalf the White things had gotten down to the short strokes with a vengeance! Time was just about up. The one ring was not only discovered but on the way and the Fellowship was falling apart as he came back to life. No wonder he was more focused and less easy going.
I think, even though he wasn't much fond of Gandalf the White, he did an excellent job. Gandalf the White was supposed to be what Saruman's supposed to be. To be the White Wizard was to be a leader and the greatest enemy of Sauron. Meanwhile the Gray Wizard was to be a friend to all that was good in Middle Earth. Either way, Sir Ian McKellin's portrayal in his part as both the Gray Wizard and the White Wizard was exemplary.
I disliked Gandalf's hair and beard in his “white” version and can’t really point out why, maybe because to me it looked too artificial. Anyway, I don’t understand the criticism towards the character, possibly the script's fault or something? I don’t think Gandalf the white is a boring character to play at all, he’s not invincible or all knowing, wiser and more power full for sure, but he’s still fearful and very much worried about everything going on around him, uncertain, but still confident in his plan, as he was in his “grey” version.
Gandalf the Grey is way more charming and human indeed. His wise, brave, sometimes grumpy and quirky personality makes him way more the guy you want to go on an adventure with. In that sense he is bit more like Radagast, but not that quirky, while as Gandalf the White he is more like Saruman, but not as arrogant and cold. Gandalf the Grey rocks.
@Al Strider Ian is a real person not just Gandalf. He's allowed to do whatever he wants when he's not acting. I don't care if the interview is technically tied to Tolkien's work. It's an interview with an actor not a character. And I'm sure someone as mature as Tolkien wouldn't have been furious over some so insignificant as what Ian said. Perhaps you're projecting your own anger onto a dead author?
The movie weakens Gandalf, like it weakens all the main characters, due to Hollywood film-politics: “Oh we can’t have powerful characters, that makes them look like they solve their own problems, and promotes attitudes of anti-social independence, toxic-masculinity; and we can’t have any of that.” So we get a lot of severely-weakened characters who do no justice to the books, Gandalf the White is one such character in the LOTR that is changed quite drastically in the film version as opposed to the books. This is probably why Ian made the statement that he doesn't like gandalf the white and specifically casting his blame towards Peter Jackson. Gandalf is protrayed quite more cowardly and more foolish as well, in addition to being just plain ruthless and ignoble… all characteristics Tolkien despised but Hollywood loves. An example is when Gandalf stood up against the Witch King in the movie they protrayed him as "I have falling and can't get up" where as in the books you get this: {{{{In rode the Lord of the Nazgûl. A great black shape against the fires beyond he loomed up, grown to a vast menace of despair. In rode the Lord of the Nazgûl, under the archway that no enemy ever yet had passed, and all fled before his face. All save one. There waiting, silent and still in the space before the Gate, sat Gandalf upon Shadowfax: Shadowfax who alone among the free horses of the earth endured the terror, unmoving, steadfast as a graven image in Rath Dínen. ‘You cannot enter here,’ said Gandalf, and the huge shadow halted. ‘Go back to the abyss prepared for you! Go back! Fall into the nothingness that awaits you and your Master. Go!’ The Black Rider flung back his hood, and behold! he had a kingly crown; and yet upon no head visible was it set. The red fires shone between it and the mantled shoulders vast and dark. From a mouth unseen there came a deadly laughter. ‘Old fool!’ he said. ‘Old fool! This is my hour. Do you not know Death when you see it? Die now and curse in vain!’ And with that he lifted high his sword and flames ran down the blade. Gandalf did not move. And in that very moment, away behind in some courtyard of the City, a cock crowed. Shrill and clear he crowed, recking nothing of wizardry or war, welcoming only the morning that in the sky far above the shadows of death was coming with the dawn. And as if in answer there came from far away another note. Horns, horns, horns. In dark Mindolluin’s sides they dimly echoed. Great horns of the North wildly blowing. Rohan had come at last.}}}} now that is a... eucatastrophe No Comparison!
People don't like living up to a standard, especially when they know they are not trying. Perfection in a character raises the standard and something to achieve, rather than reveling in one's flaws as if a virtue. I think this explains the conditions we live in today and forget the reasons why past civilizations fell. They became pleasure-seeking and corrupt. Gandalf the White was an angel that rose above human fallibility, yet was still very much himself, just with purpose. Seeing him as reduced in some way says something about the individual.
One of the things I love about sir Ian is that he is a true artist and respects good work, in this case Tolkien, even if he himself isn't exactly an expert on the material. One could imagine an actor cast as gandalf that would get sick of the idea of that being what he's remembered for, but Ian is content with being associated with a great work, even if it's not exactly his passion like Shakespeare
+thomasring67 To be honest Gandalf the grey had much more badass screen time in my opinion. I mean he dueled the balrog which was so awesome but Gandalf mk.2 only had normal battles and he was defeated by the which king.
I'm bias because when I was young and Gandalf the white first made his introduction. I got goose bumps all down my arms and you can argue that without Gandalf the white, the war wouldn't of been won. The becons wouldn't of been lit. Plus his staff his cooler looking. lol nerd argument
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
+leofcpm *maiar (or istari if you want to be specific)
Gandalf the White is self righteous and Gandalf the grey is humble.
I wouldn't say self-righteous. More impatient, maybe. "The grey pilgrim, that's what they used to call me. For three hundred lives of men I walked this earth, and now, I have no time..." Having been sent back at the "turn of the tide," you could imagine Gandalf would be under considerable pressure, especially with how quickly Sauron was advancing around this time. I always interpreted his tone to be as kind as it was before, his actions as selfless. His authority as the newly instated leader of the Istari, or the wizards, also doesn't have anything to do with it, considering Gandalf was always considered to be the greatest of the Istari (by Cirdan, for example), and was even asked (by Galadriel) to be the leader of the White Council (consisting of Galadriel, Elrond, Cirdan, and Saruman), a position that he denied because he didn't want to be bound to anyone other than the Valar that sent him. With this in mind, I have absolutely no doubt that Gandalf never wanted or asked to be the replacement for Saruman, especially not when we consider that during his time in Valinor (before being sent to Middle-Earth the first time, obviously), Gandalf (who was then called Olorin), didn't want to even go, but agreed because Manwe (the leader of the Valar) asked him to.
Maia is singular and Maiar is plural, I believe.
People tend to relate more with flawed things because they are more human-like.
Being italian, reading Dante's Divine Comedy was a big part of my school education in italian classes, and I've been told several times that people generally love the Inferno part, which is the most focused on the human flaws, much more than Purgatorio and Paradiso, precisely because everybody can relate to sinners, while it's pretty hard to relate to something completely perfect and ethereal.
Gandalf was perfectly portrayed by him. it is a role and character i will always treasure! sincerely thank you!
i like your profile pic, it made me thing there was a spider on my screen xD
+The_DwarvenSquirrel Love your profile pic. For the Emperor
He played Gandalf perfectly.
As far as I'm concerned, the most well-casted role ever
uhhh yeahh no he wasn't at all. gandalf's character was completely trashed in the movies. the movie gandalf is an angry dotard and his interactions with pippin and merry are completely wrong compared to what actually happened in the books.
Gimli in the Fangorn Forest: _"This new Gandalf's more grumpy than the old one."_
Sorry for 'dumb' quesiton, but how do you do italics on TH-cam?
I'm guessing [i]like this[/i]
Nope, not like that
I know, I tried the same thing after my initial post. xD
I think it's / at the beginning and end. /like this/ (Seems not)
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.
0seconds that was so funny
Hell yea
Lord of the weed
And he still wasn't allowed to use his full power-on account of the increased risk of collateral damage.
I like the way you put that.
Ian Mckellen and Christopher Lee are legendary actors
+Jill Valentine Now if only Sir Ian McKellen played as Elminster Aumar and Christopher Lee played as Halaster Blackcloak both from D&D Forgotten Realms, what would you do if such was the case? (I will have to admit since Christopher Lee died, then someone else would have to play him)
And despite they being legendary, they weren't above everyone else. Looks at current Hollywood actors. They were approachable and did help people. These were true Shakespearean actors and they understood what it took to make it. It wasn't handed to them, they had to earn it.
Rest in peace sir Christopher Lee
Christopher is far above him.
*Christopher Lee, SAS and Power Metal Vocalist*
While Gandalf the grey felt very human, Gandalf the white seemed a bit more spirit like in my opinion
Probably because his essence which inhabited both bodies is immortal. He was reincarnated into a new body and became Gandalf the White in the process, occurring 20 days after the Balrog, Durin's Bane, and he mutually killed each other.
no, he killed it and got massive XP from it and therefore got way over levelled compared to the rest of the team who just "escaped".
P-A Cormier LOL. Clever, but not that actual LOR lore ;-)
P-A Cormier sounds legit....
He was scolded by a boss, send back to a place he didn't want to go, given a deadline and small chance of success. I think any person will look like a ghost under this conditions.
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.
What a wonderful story! 👏
Wow awesome story thx for sharing 🤙🏻👍🏻
Love this
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.
One correction, he was not sent back by the Valar. The text implies he was sent back by Eru himself.
Olorin was sent back by Eru Iluvitar, the true god, not by the Valar.
I'd also say that Gandalf the White seeming different than Gandalf the Grey is more due to his role being different and time was short. Being the White Wizard meant he was the head of the Istari and so his responsibility was greater than when he was the Grey Wizard. When he was resurrected there wasn't as much time left so Gandalf had to be more serious and to the point for the War of the Ring to be won, which may seem like detachment and less emotional.
@@seandobbins2231 you got it wrong, it's the other way around. "The Ainur (singular Ainu) were divine spirits, the 'Holy Ones'. They were the first beings created by Ilúvatar, the 'order' of the Valar and Maiar, made before Eä."
@@Jay-fb5sv thanks I was gonna say the same thing. My understanding is that the Valar are just special-case Ainur-they are Maiar that are particularly strong and powerful, with the first created and most powerful being Melkor, who knew “all of the mind of Ilúvatar” while Manwë and the other Valar and lesser Maiar only knew parts of the mind of Ilúvatar.
But I did not understand until recently that we think Olórin was repackaged and returned to middle earth by Ilúvatar himself. I didn’t think Ilúvatar directly intervened in anything past the the creation of the Ainur, Eä, and the “children of Ilúvatar” (Elves and Men). I had assumed that Olórin was working directly for Manwë and the Valar. But people have been saying his spirit traveled back to Ilúvatar who saw that his work was good and sent him back with more ammo to get the job done, having proved himself worthy of trust.
It is nice to see someone who has actually read Tolkien commenting ;)
Sir Ian came to my school today and he said "you shall not pass" it was brilliant
Original Gaming the thing we saw on video ? yeah, pretty fkn epic! :)
i know
And everyone in the room had failed their classes
Ates Ghash fucking hell I commented this ages ago hahaha fuck
Original Gaming and you replied so it doesn't matter
Ian is such a talented man. Wonderful actor and just seems like a kind person
Richard Harris doesn't think so. In fact he said that Ian wasn't a good actor at all. But, He's dead and Ian isn't and Ian in my opinion is a far better actor than Harris. But yes, he does seem like a person we would definitely get along with. Bless his heart.
Mitchel Anhalt and what you didn't know, was that mckellen was considered to replace harris as dumbledore, but he declined
simonster -909 Oh I already knew that.
Mitchel Anhalt just a bit of trivia then
@@mitchelanhalt5261 Harris was an alcoholic and abusive man. McKellen is, by all accounts, an absolute sweet hearted man.
My right ear enjoyed the question, and the left ear enjoyed the answer.
Ladies and gentlemen, dual sound!
Sir Ian Mckellan immortalised the character of Gandalf..I simply can't imagine him played by anybody else
Christopher Plummer?
Kevin Spacey?
😭Rings of Power have done it though
@@TSF15152 Tbh the actor they chose wasn't bad for a younger Gandalf. Like a lot of things in that show his origin is waaay off though
There will be another. Could be 50 years from now, but it'll happen again.
Ian is and will always be the OG, though.
He deserved his own Magneto movie. Just a great actor.
I like how he calls his fans for friends ^^ he is great...
How sad the qeustioner don't ask further. I mean: WHY does McKellen like The Grey more than the White? That would be interesting.
+Tom Hamoen because it rhymes with gay lol
Too Real For These Fake People nay
an opportunity missed, but not for Ian making the effort to collaborate on a flowing conversation that sort of oh well, let's stagnate in the backwaters
It's likely because the Grey is more human more of na emotional spectrum, whereas White is more detached, more in the spirit world and less emotional.
@@barbaragoode9436 He said he doesn't like gandalf the white 'as a person' which tells me he has something against him. If he thought the white version was just more detached or less human he could still like him as a person. I'm thinking he felt the white version was like priests who shame people for being gay because he had convictions?
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
Ian McKellan is a brilliant actor. His work is extraordinary.
Well it's SIR Ian McKellan for a reason.
i like both gandalfs
Leon Tarkshina me too
Same :D
Leon Tarkshina me too
Gandalves
@@babbonatale276 tolkiene-esque language, brilliant
Can't imagine a Gandalf without this man. What a spectacular job he did with the character!
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. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Very true! Although you have to admit Lord of the Rings, an epic literature, generally has a higher status over Star Wars, a great space opera, but ultimately just a blockbuster film series
True. Although Sir Alec played Obi Wan wonderfully, and his dislike never showed.
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
Yes! I love when he teases Bilbo about "Good morning" xD
A perfect angel would not be unrelatable. What is the point of calling something 'perfect' if it lacks in certain aspects?
wat
Could you elaborate?
Dude, just look up the definition of 'perfect' in a dictionary.
Gandalf the Grey had more origin,more innocent flaws, more human characteristics, more of an all good spirit, while gandalf the white seemed to be alot more like saruman the white before he was corrupted, he was more powerful and more stern. he remained compassionate and what not but he lost the innocent flaws that made him more unique and the demeanor that gave him character, the demeanor that gave him the old man who has seen some crazy shit,did some crazy shit and also would be cool to hang out with and get good advice from type of guy. lol Gandalf the Grey embodied all of that for me. he is my favorite fictional character of all time not just lord of the rings. and Ian McKellen is the face of all of it. he's the image of him that can't be replaced, a great actor.
Well, Iluvatar (god) send Gandalf back to replace Saruman because of his corruption, so it does make sence they're alike. Though I agree it would've been a lot nicer if he'd kept more of his old personality.
Same goes for Radagast. He's accurate and all, but I'd love to see him a bit more like a 'proper wizard'.
More like Saruman, yes. In the film he even says to Legolas: ''I am Saruman, or rather Saruman as he should have been''
Nope, Eru had nothing to do with that. The only time he ever intervened after he created Arda was when he sank Númenor into the sea. He didn't even help the Valar fight Morgoth so why would he send back a Maia to help defeat another Maia?
MrLiquidman18 No, the original poster is correct. Tolkien explicitly stated that it was The One who sent Gandalf/Olorin back. Here is a quote from Letter 156--"
In the end before he (Gandalf) departs for ever he sums himself up: ‘I was the enemy of Sauron’. He might have added: ‘for that purpose I was sent to Middle-earth’. But by that he would at the end have meant more than at the beginning. He was sent by a mere prudent plan of the angelic Valar or governors; but Authority (God) had taken up this plan and enlarged it, at the moment of its failure. ‘Naked I was sent back - for a brief time, until my task is done’. Sent back by whom, and whence? Not by the ‘gods’ whose business is only with this embodied world and its time; for he passed ‘out of thought and time’."
@@mayalackman7581 Thank you! Most informative.
Gandalf the Grey is advisor and sentinel in peaceful times, with warm relation to the peoples of Middle-Earth. Gandalf the White is leader and the general of the Good Armies in the times of war against Sauron. Different times, different mission, different Gandalf. Gandalf the Grey couldn't have lead the armies of Gondor in the siege of Minas Tirith or the Rohirrim in the siege of Helm's Deep.
That’s a really interesting point, I never thought of it like that.🤓
omg this man's voice is so powerful. No wonder they cast him to play fantasy like characters with deep evokotive voices and narative monlogues in films. Like wow. Just him speaking, is enough to make you feel a sence of "DOMINANCE" and "POWER" in that voice that takes control. Him along with Christopher Lee are two of the greatest legendary voice actors for this style and genre of film.
ian mckellen and christopher lee as well as viggo mortensen were perfectly in their roles.
those 3 actors where perfect and i highly doubt anyone else could have done it better.
tbh: there was, is and will be never a better solution to those roles.
I was going to add a couple of names but they were too many haha, LOTR is probably the most well-casted movie ever made.
@@CodGeronimo some of the important characters (i won't say who) weren't casted well. The ones you mentioned ,however, were perfect.
@@goodpeopleoftheworldunite Who wasnt cast well then?
@@CodGeronimo Honestly, most good movies that I watch are "perfectly casted" and maybe that's why they are so good.
@@Blackhawk211 For me Frodo was weakest of them all. He always have the same expresion.
gandalf the grey felt more human. more real. there was a personality there, experience and charm. gandalf the white seems so sterile and void of origin
+Alexander Ditimus Gandalf the white did indeed seem a lot more serious and goal driven.. but I think the picture is a little muddied due to the fact that we got to see a lot of Gandalf pre-world crisis when he relaxed, enjoyed himself with some weed, fireworks, dwarven/hobbit companies etc, whereas we've only seen very little of Gandalf the white post-world crisis, kicking back.
Looking back, Gandalf the gray from after fellowship of the ring was composed till his death at the hands of the balrog was a lot more like Gandalf the white. Less powerful and less self assured, but very similar - shit needed to get done.
I wonder how gandalf the white would have behaved had there not been a world crisis. We have seen that he can laugh and can joke around a little.
Thor Great point!
QoVoC I read this as "gandalf the white was a sterile virgin"
Thor Klauson Gandalf the White could not stay on Middle Earth post-crisis. He had to leave when the crisis was averted.
I suspect, had he not been killed in the Balrog fight, he would've remained Grey, and stayed on ME. But then he would not have overthrown Saruman.
Curse you, Fate.
Daniel why couldn't he stay? Radagast stayed. Perhaps they were ordered to go back by the Valar, but couldn't they go against that order like Radagast did? And the blues too I guess.
I miss these kind of interviews where they sit in front of the fantasy movie poster and had 2000's feel to the video
Gandalf the Grey is better because he is more...iconic, everyone knows Gandalf by 'the grey one'. He has more swag then Gandalf the White because he has that simple iconic hat and the quote "You shall not pass!".
I gotta admit, seeing him as Gandalf the grey again made me happy.
Why see them as two different characters? I always took it as character evolution, he simply developed over the span of the story. Of course when he was resurrected he had this sense of urgency to him and given the gravity of their situation it's understandable.
Yup.
I took it as "the grey" being the culmination of thousands of years living in middle-earth. "The White" was freshly back to life and much closer to his original self.
@@RichardStrong86 I believe Gandalf "The White" is Saruman, as he should be, and therefore not at all "his original self," however of this I am not certain.
They are two different people. Gandalf The White has the memories and personality of both Gandalf and Saruman
@@DeadManSinging1 How could he have the memories of Saruman when Saruman was still alive OwO
He such a cheery fun youthful old man, his existence just brings me so much joy beyond the fact that he portrayed the most wonderful wizard ever🧙🏻♂️ I’m really happy he’s still going on living a happy life & receiving so much love 🙏 May he have many more years to come
This interview is so old, but still enjoyable because of this wonderful actor and person Sir McKellen is.
And I do understand why he didn't like Gandalf the White as much as the Grey, but he portrays both versions wonderfully. And in my opinion, there should be some difference between them as Gandalf grows from being attached (the grey grandfather and troubled old man) to detached (demigod), something Sir McKellen nails perfectly in my eyes. He really embodied the character how I envisioned him when I read the books, so many years ago.
But so did many other of the excellent actors that Peter Jackson brought along in his project.
Of course, I'm talking about LotR, but if you put aside expectations (and, you know, forget about the book), the Hobbit is quit nice as well on it's own.
It never ceases to amaze and amuse me when actors speak of their roles/characters as actual real individuals
Everyone forgets how good Gandalf the White laughed when he met Frodo again:)(I know it was not in books)
If Ian McKellen only know how much he inspired me and influenced my life just by portraying Gandalf. His wise quotes about death, fear and friendship really made me look different at them and made me a better person in general. I will always be thankfull for the entire lotr crew for blessing us with those masterpieces.
I just love Gandalf, he is the epitome of the mentor and the elder wise man. Ian did such a perfect job. I am grateful for it...
Gandalf the Grey is when you're a part-timer. Plenty of time to go and have some fun and indulge between work. Gandalf the White you go full-time, shit hit the fan and your old boss got shit-canned. You had to step up and now the next time you get to mess around is when you retire.
I almost cried. That was a really sweet interview
Ian has perfectly portrayed both Gandalf and Magneto. Both very iconic charachters in the modern mythology.
I think very few other actors has made such an impression on a whole generation.
I could listen to Ian Mckellen's voice all day. He is such a lovely guy, he would probably be a great grandfather (as it were).
There's just some people I could listen to talk about even the most mundane subjects and be enthralled. He is definitely one of them.
I think the difference between the character in his two iterations is that when he died he was returned to the place of what are essentially the gods of Tolkien's world after wandering Middle Earth for hundreds (thousands?) of years. It was timeless; it felt like an eternity spent among the gods, and then he was returned.
The character would have changed radically from such an experience, and I think Sir Ian played that change very well; even if he didn't like it very much.
he was sent back by eru not the valar
Having seen Sir Ian as King Lear and being able to speak with him as an adoring fan was a highlight I will treasure!. I also was lucky to see Sir Patrick in the Tempest.
Gandalf the Grey is the guy who's focusing on saving the world but would still go out for a drink with you. Gandalf the White is just about saving the world. Ian Mckellan does a great job of highlighting the differences between them just through his mannerisms
And plus have litlle time to defeat the enemy
My wife and I saw Sir Ian as King Lear a couple years ago. You have not seen Shakespeare until you’ve seen a true master perform it.
Sir Ian is, to me at least, a magnificent actor. He portrayed Gandalf the Grey and Gandalf the White as nobody else could. He will always have a special place in my heart and in my memory. I say thank you to Sir Ian, for having such an impact on the white screen and for being the person that he is.
I have to agree with him.
You mean, a man has to agree with him. Know your own role >(! Also, you're a shitty trainer. The Waif couldn't kill Arya, and Aray trampled around the town like a fool, allowing herself to get stabed.
Jaqen H'ghar You're supposed to be a faceless man 😒
Jaqen H'ghar A man has no opinion.
The replies to this comment are kinda awkward now that he's changed his name and profile pic.
My right ear LOVED this interview
So much frigging passion. I enjoyed watching his scenes with the White Council and Bard in the Hobbit films, since he clearly was enjoying the scenes a lot more (Given that he wasn't talking to a green screen in those scenes).
Ian McKellen is the proof that it's not about him being gay, he's just an amazing human being. Top 3 favorite actors.
You mean you didnt already know that? You didnt think people are just people regardless of orientation?
I don't know why the algorithm pushed this old clip now, but this man is a treasure.
I actually like that they panned the two voices left and right for this interview. It feels more natural.
Sounds very good to me too. I mean, as long as you're using speakers and not headphones, this is completely ok.
Why is the volume on this video like 1/10 that of the advert which preceded it?
Jacob Hoss compression/limiting/multi-band eq giving flatline graphics and shit drc rating
also because the fucktard who uploaded this decided to pan the mic channels to left and right. whilst dialogue should always be mono from both sides... at least for youtube
Even if you read Lord of the Rings before the movie, once you've seen the movie, you will always see McKellan when you imagine Gandalf. He so nailed it, they are now inseparable images.
He seems like such a nice and genuine man. I could listen to him talk about almost anything
I really love his voice. Would love to hear him voice the audio LOTR books
You will forever be Gandalf.
Am I the only wants who would love to see Gandalf and Magneto in a room together, having a conversation.
I'd be intimidated to interview Sir Ian McKellen because he seems so educated and really into his work. He deserves all the credit he gets for a great actor because he truly is one and like I have no idea how to talk about his work unless I was truly into the craft of acting and storytelling which I'm merely a novice and rookie at.
Sir Ian I would like to say I’m 31 years old and I still love Gandalf as much in the year 2021 I love you so much I get a warm feeling I watch this still yes you are a amazing actor but you will always be Gandalf to me even as Gandalf the white 🤣🤣🤣 I love you so much I know you probably won’t see this but in case you do I just want to say thank you 🙏🙏🙏🥰🥰🥰❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Great interviewer, asking thoughtful questions to a legendary actor tasked with promoting a corny movie.
My interpretation was that Gandalf the White was different than Gandalf the Grey because Gandalf the White was supposed to be a portrayal of what Saruman the White was supposed to be. Saruman wasn’t happy about Gandalf’s new title/color because it was like the gods telling Saruman “you failed”.
Herr lies Gandalf... That gave me tears . I hope you will stay with us for many more years sir Ian.
The saddening fact that all of this is years ago now. At least we all got to be a part of the ride. Ian has had an amazing run.
3:20 listen with headphones. Sirens in the background
Jackson Carroll hahahah yeee!
I've been watching some of the extras for "An Unexpected Journey", and I can see why Ian would think he had a bad experience filming some parts of that movie. For much of it (like the first meeting of the Dwarves with Bilbo), he was not actually there with the other actors. For someone who 'grew up' on the stage, being forced to spend a lot of your time alone on a totally green set can probably get infuriating.
At least when they made "Fellowship" he was still on the set with the other actors, they just used forced perspective to get the size relationships (something that wouldn't work because of the 3D tech they were using for this movie).
If you truly want to see something sad go look up Ian on the set of the hobbit. He literally cries because of how much green screen was being used. He broke down because of the way that movies are being made which is understandable. I feel bad for him of course but I feel even worse for Peter Jackson on the three Hobbit movies. The Lord of the Rings trilogy was planned meticulously by him and his crew for years before filming even started, he had plans on what he wanted to happen and how he wanted to film it. On The Hobbit he was basically thrown in the day filming started with no warning at all. Half the time he didn't have a full script and had to do it all on the fly.
It's all Del Torro's fault because he was originally going to film the Hobbit, he was the one that designed a lot of the stuff and then he backed out and Peter got screwed by that. In the behind the scenes stuff he just looks like a man who's exhausted and defeated. I don't blame him for the hobbit being bad at all.
As I understood it, Del Torro was chosen because there were still some legal difficulties between Peter and New Line Cinema that prevented him from coming back to The Hobbit Trilogy. When that was eventually settled, he decided to come back and direct (while being properly compensated, that is ^_^).
It is sad, because I like Del Torro as a director as well, and would have loved to see his vision for the trilogy played out.
Unfortunately that isn't the case. Peter Jackson had no interest in making The Hobbit but Del Torro did. That's why things are so different compared to the original trilogy. For instance the goblins look completely different because that's how Del Torro imagined them. The original trilogy took a lot out of Peter Jackson and he made it very clear that he had no interest in making any more movies in that world. Del Torro did however but decided to back out for some reason that I don't remember.
Ian is very accommodating to this interviewer. It seems as if the interviewer keeps reiterating the same question and then changes it once he notices (then subsequently ignores) Ian changing tack to come at it another way as if to say you already asked me this but you are helping people into their theatre seats so I will accommodate you and does it politely as ever. Ian is a rock star of stage and screen and a true gem and The Lord of the Rings series and the X-men movies are only scratching the surface of what he has accomplished. Of course he enjoys Shakespeare more, it is more theatrical and more enjoyable to play at.
This is a great video and I am not hating the interviewer but appreciating Ian’s deftness at dealing with this type of interviewer
For Gandalf the Grey the end is approaching only after 1,000 years of his being around. For most of his stay on Middle Earth things weren't all that immanent. The ring hadn't been discovered until just before his demise. For Gandalf the White things had gotten down to the short strokes with a vengeance! Time was just about up. The one ring was not only discovered but on the way and the Fellowship was falling apart as he came back to life. No wonder he was more focused and less easy going.
Ian McKellen is an international treasure
Wonderful actor
I'd love to see more Gandalf the Grey. I don't know if we can ever have too much of him.
Our Gandalf :)
Great man (Istari,Maia)!
I think, even though he wasn't much fond of Gandalf the White, he did an excellent job. Gandalf the White was supposed to be what Saruman's supposed to be. To be the White Wizard was to be a leader and the greatest enemy of Sauron. Meanwhile the Gray Wizard was to be a friend to all that was good in Middle Earth.
Either way, Sir Ian McKellin's portrayal in his part as both the Gray Wizard and the White Wizard was exemplary.
Great interview to my left ear.
I disliked Gandalf's hair and beard in his “white” version and can’t really point out why, maybe because to me it looked too artificial. Anyway, I don’t understand the criticism towards the character, possibly the script's fault or something? I don’t think Gandalf the white is a boring character to play at all, he’s not invincible or all knowing, wiser and more power full for sure, but he’s still fearful and very much worried about everything going on around him, uncertain, but still confident in his plan, as he was in his “grey” version.
His hair and beard and outfit were a lot cooler it’s just a shame he didn’t keep the hat
Ian would make an amazing grandpa
Gandalf the Grey is way more charming and human indeed. His wise, brave, sometimes grumpy and quirky personality makes him way more the guy you want to go on an adventure with. In that sense he is bit more like Radagast, but not that quirky, while as Gandalf the White he is more like Saruman, but not as arrogant and cold. Gandalf the Grey rocks.
Sir Ian McKellen is one of my favorite actors.
White or Grey........he's still Gay!!!
He plays both perfectly, so who cares.
rhymed you have, out the window you now go...
@Al Strider Ian is a real person not just Gandalf. He's allowed to do whatever he wants when he's not acting. I don't care if the interview is technically tied to Tolkien's work. It's an interview with an actor not a character.
And I'm sure someone as mature as Tolkien wouldn't have been furious over some so insignificant as what Ian said. Perhaps you're projecting your own anger onto a dead author?
The movie weakens Gandalf, like it weakens all the main characters, due to Hollywood film-politics: “Oh we can’t have powerful characters, that makes them look like they solve their own problems, and promotes attitudes of anti-social independence, toxic-masculinity; and we can’t have any of that.”
So we get a lot of severely-weakened characters who do no justice to the books, Gandalf the White is one such character in the LOTR that is changed quite drastically in the film version as opposed to the books. This is probably why Ian made the statement that he doesn't like gandalf the white and specifically casting his blame towards Peter Jackson. Gandalf is protrayed quite more cowardly and more foolish as well, in addition to being just plain ruthless and ignoble… all characteristics Tolkien despised but Hollywood loves.
An example is when Gandalf stood up against the Witch King in the movie they protrayed him as "I have falling and can't get up" where as in the books you get this:
{{{{In rode the Lord of the Nazgûl. A great black shape against the fires beyond he loomed up, grown to a vast menace of despair. In rode the Lord of the Nazgûl, under the archway that no enemy ever yet had passed, and all fled before his face.
All save one. There waiting, silent and still in the space before the Gate, sat Gandalf upon Shadowfax: Shadowfax who alone among the free horses of the earth endured the terror, unmoving, steadfast as a graven image in Rath Dínen.
‘You cannot enter here,’ said Gandalf, and the huge shadow halted. ‘Go back to the abyss prepared for you! Go back! Fall into the nothingness that awaits you and your Master. Go!’
The Black Rider flung back his hood, and behold! he had a kingly crown; and yet upon no head visible was it set. The red fires shone between it and the mantled shoulders vast and dark. From a mouth unseen there came a deadly laughter.
‘Old fool!’ he said. ‘Old fool! This is my hour. Do you not know Death when you see it? Die now and curse in vain!’ And with that he lifted high his sword and flames ran down the blade.
Gandalf did not move. And in that very moment, away behind in some courtyard of the City, a cock crowed. Shrill and clear he crowed, recking nothing of wizardry or war, welcoming only the morning that in the sky far above the shadows of death was coming with the dawn.
And as if in answer there came from far away another note. Horns, horns, horns. In dark Mindolluin’s sides they dimly echoed. Great horns of the North wildly blowing. Rohan had come at last.}}}}
now that is a... eucatastrophe
No Comparison!
Man the stereo spread is messing with my head. Keep vocals in the middle. Panning like this is crazy!
Such an amazing man, He will go down in history
It'd be cool to see him in Game of Thrones
No it wouldn't. We'd grow to love or hate his character then he'd die. And you can't kill him. It's just not cool.
He should be the king at the end of all... :V
He should have been Barristan.
nah... my thoughts of Ian are all innocent and happy.... if he were in game of thrones it would steal that away from me:P
Morgan Free man would have leapt at the chance of playing Gandalf the Black. Damn Mckellen, so ungrateful.
People don't like living up to a standard, especially when they know they are not trying. Perfection in a character raises the standard and something to achieve, rather than reveling in one's flaws as if a virtue. I think this explains the conditions we live in today and forget the reasons why past civilizations fell. They became pleasure-seeking and corrupt. Gandalf the White was an angel that rose above human fallibility, yet was still very much himself, just with purpose. Seeing him as reduced in some way says something about the individual.
I would love to see Ian in a comedy film. He has such a great sense of humour
Who knew Ian McKellen was gay? I mean, it's not like he ever mentions it!
After seeing a picture of him in the Pride Parade it was pretty obvious to me.
He's classy, he doesn't publicise his personal life like kartrashians.....nor does he shy away however.....a gentleman!
A good role model then
Johnny Solipsis reallyyy? 😱
Gandalf The Gay and Albus Dumbledore
I love Gandalf so much.
+Karnik Badvaganyan So you are gay to.
pieterjan29 No i am straight.
Same here.
One of the things I love about sir Ian is that he is a true artist and respects good work, in this case Tolkien, even if he himself isn't exactly an expert on the material. One could imagine an actor cast as gandalf that would get sick of the idea of that being what he's remembered for, but Ian is content with being associated with a great work, even if it's not exactly his passion like Shakespeare
this is quite a rad way of panning audio
i don't get it. white or grey, they're only slightly different
Hmm Gandalf the white is way more badass
+thomasring67 To be honest Gandalf the grey had much more badass screen time in my opinion. I mean he dueled the balrog which was so awesome but Gandalf mk.2 only had normal battles and he was defeated by the which king.
I'm bias because when I was young and Gandalf the white first made his introduction. I got goose bumps all down my arms and you can argue that without Gandalf the white, the war wouldn't of been won. The becons wouldn't of been lit. Plus his staff his cooler looking. lol nerd argument
I agree to an extent. White was like a strict but fair headmaster but Grey was the Grandad who always had sweets.
Well Sir Ian you will ALWAYS be Gandalf to me. No one could ever potray a better Gandalf than you. You are amazing!!!
Gandalf the Grey looks much better than Gandalf the White.
Gandalf the grandfather!
Ian you’re an amazing man. Your performance is Gandalf only increased my love of TLOTR
One word: RESPECT. Sir Ian is such a cool man!
I mean it's still Gandalf. He just had his best interactions in the earlier part of the story.