Lord Of The Rings’ Original Gandalf Casting Plan Would Have Killed Peter Jackson’s $3 Billion Trilogy

Ian McKellen’s iconic portrayal of Gandalf was a highlight of the Lord of the Rings movies, but the role almost went to another legend of stage and screen, and it could have had disastrous consequences. Gandalf is one of the most important figures in the fantasy trilogy, both from a power perspective and as a guiding force to other characters. Over the course of the three movies, he even transforms from the pipe-smoking, firework-shooting Gandalf the Grey to the all-powerful, all-knowing Gandalf the White, who leads the defense of Minas Tirith. Getting Gandalf right was a key part of the trilogy’s massive success.