Legendary actor Sir Ian McKellen, 85, is taking a well-deserved break after a dramatic fall during a performance in London’s West End earlier this year. The iconic star, best known for his role as Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings franchise, suffered a broken wrist and a chipped vertebrae when he lost his footing on stage during a performance of Player Kings in June.
Despite the injury, Sir Ian remains as passionate as ever about his craft. In a recent interview with BBC Breakfast, he expressed his determination to continue acting as long as his “legs, lungs, and mind” allow. However, he did reveal plans to take the rest of the year off, giving his body and mind time to heal.
Fans of the Lord of the Rings franchise will be thrilled to know that Sir Ian is eager to reprise his role as Gandalf in the upcoming film The Hunt for Gollum, set for release in 2026. “I’m not letting anyone else put on the pointy hat and beard if I can help it,” he joked, hinting at his deep connection to the beloved character.
Sir Ian’s portrayal of Gandalf in the original Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit films, all directed by Peter Jackson, has cemented his status as one of the most iconic actors of our time. With a new batch of films in the works, this time under the direction of Andy Serkis, who will also star as Gollum, excitement is building for the next chapter in Middle-earth.
In a separate interview with The Big Issue, Sir Ian shared his enthusiasm for the ongoing Lord of the Rings projects, though details remain under wraps. “I’ve just been told there are going to be more films, and Gandalf will be involved,” he said. “They hope that I’ll be playing him. When? I don’t know. What the script is? It’s not written yet. So, they better be quick.”
Reflecting on his recent accident, Sir Ian described the fall as a “complete accident” unrelated to his age. His foot became caught in a chair on stage, and while trying to free himself, he slipped off the stage. The fall left him with both physical and emotional challenges to overcome. “It’s emotionally that I’ve got some residue that I’ve got to deal with,” he admitted.
The Oscar-nominated actor revealed that in the moment of the fall, he feared it might be the end. “I said to myself as I tripped and slid off the stage, ‘This is the end’. And apparently, I shouted out, ‘My neck is broken, I’m dying.’ I don’t remember saying that, so there was a lot going on in my head as the body responded to the fall.”
Since the accident, Sir Ian has been focusing on his recovery, including exercises to regain his physical strength. “I’m usually working or preparing to work, but I’ve been doing a little bit of that, wondering what might be the best plan,” he shared. For now, he’s looking forward to some well-earned rest, not because he needs it, but simply because he wants it.
In Player Kings, Sir Ian played the role of John Falstaff, a character adapted by Robert Icke from Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Parts One and Two. Reflecting on the fall, he mentioned that the fat suit he wore for the role may have protected him from more severe injuries, saving his “ribs and other joints.”
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