ARCHETYPIC WISE MAG GANDALF - A TRADITIONAL FIGURE IN THE FAMOUS TOLKIN OF SCANDINAVIAN AND BRITISH MYTHOLOGY. It is believed that the CHARACTER OF EXTERNALITY HAS BECOME A CHARACTER FROM THE SWISS MAIL POSTCARD "MOUNTAIN SPIRIT", ON WHICH THE OLD BEARED MAN IN A WIDE BELT SHELIER IS PICTURED. Gandalf was in all three Peter Jackson's films The Lord of the Rings, as well as in all parts of the Hobbit trilogy. What was it like for you as an actor?
Ian McKellen: This is a huge responsibility. But, in fact, I did not have that feeling. This work was beautiful for me in so many ways, it lasted a very long time. Usually you play a role, that's all. Sometimes, if you're lucky, you can play the role twice.
But then again, for me it wasn’t: "Oh my God! I need to pack up and play Gandalf again!"
I never thought so. These stories are so wonderful, the shooting and the actors are always so different and not like the previous ones. This is entertainment. Therefore, I was very pleased to return to New Zealand, where we shot the film. For me it was not a chore ...
And the results are amazing!
Ian McKellen: Yes. I was lucky to meet many new people of different ages who love these films very much. Basically, these are, of course, young people, as well as children, adolescents and very little ones. They just can't wait for the sequels. Therefore, Gandalf is always alive and is present next to them and for them. This is one of my favorite works in life from the moment we started making these films.
What makes it unique compared to other mages of Middle-earth?
Ian McKellen: I do not consider myself a great connoisseur of John Tolkien, but in his stories five magicians were mentioned. Two of them have no names at all - and we don’t even meet with them!
There is Saruman, he is also the leader of the Order, who has rolled off the coils. By the way, Saruman played wonderful Christopher Lee. There is also Radagast Kariy ... He is charming and beautiful. He is played by Sylvester McCoy, with whom we have already worked together in King Lear. And finally, there is my magician, who is actually one in two persons! First, he is Gandalf the Gray, and then, when he disappears, and everyone believes that he is dead, Tolkien returns him in The Lord of the Rings in the image of Gandalf the White. Therefore, I actually have, as it were, two roles. But in The Hobbit, I'm still Gandalf Gray.
It feels like you really like this period of your character's life! Why does Gandalf the Gray bribe you so much?
Ian McKellen: He is very popular and respected, because he is always on the side of Middle-earth, and this is his work. He is doing everything possible to warn everyone about the danger and guide him on the right track. He is mistaken, but his intentions are always noble.
One of such eloquent moments is the episode in the first film, when Bilbo offers Gandalf a ring, but he refuses to take it. Therefore, he has, of course, vulnerable human sides, although it is clear that he is not a person. He is more than seven thousand years old (laughs). He has been living for a long time, a very long time. I like that he behaves like a human. He likes to smoke a pipe and drink, he loves the hobbits and he likes to be in the hobbit. He often looks there.
But most of the time he devotes assistance to other inhabitants of Middle-earth. Perhaps sometimes he becomes a little impatient, especially when people do not immediately do what he thinks would be right. And that makes him even more human.
So is he essentially human?
Ian McKellen: I think he is a creature you can trust. For the youngest, he is a kind of grandfather. Getting to know him better is not so easy! Mocking lights in the eyes, subtle humor, remarks, jokes. But in fact, he is very serious and knows everything for sure. It is very rare when you manage to play a character who is not only trying to be good, but good in itself. It is generally believed that the best roles are villains. I have played them on screen and on stage. But there is nothing evil in Gandalf. He is a great role model and example for the younger generation of fantasy lovers.
Gandalf has a wonderful moment in the first film when he talks about Bilbo: they say, I'm afraid, and he gives me courage and courage ...
Ian McKellen: Well, I guess this is from what we think of the hobbits as ordinary people. They are small in height, are greedy and lazy. They have everything that is peculiar to people. But, unlike other magicians, Gandalf sees in them defenders and valiant knights who have inner strength. This is something that others miss, because they are judged only by their appearance.
And why do you think Gandalf says so about Bilbo? And why does he feel in him the potential of courage and courage, while others do not?
Ian McKellen: It’s just that Gandalf has been watching Bilbo for a long time. And he knows that he, of course, is deprived of imagination, a homebody - and at the same time quite selfish and quite comfortable in life. But he also admits that Bilbo is able, if the opportunity presents itself, to discover in himself such abilities that he did not even suspect! In real life, this often happens. You read in the newspapers about the exploits of ordinary people? Most often these are people from whom they do not expect anything like this. Tolkien and Gandalf recognize this.
Those who read the book know that Gandalf leaves the company of heroes. Where does his adventure lead?
Ian McKellen: In the book, Gandalf must leave. Dwarves do not know why this is happening. The reader also has no information. But Tolkien knows. In his notes and other stories, he refers to the particular responsibility that the magician bears. And not only in relation to the dwarves, but also to the whole of Middle-earth in general. This is a good bridge and the connection of this Gandalf with that Gandalf, whom we meet later in The Lord of the Rings, and which is in the thick of things. I don’t want to reveal too much information, but something is happening in Middle-earth. The country is changing. Link to this is given in the first film. And in the sequel, the viewer sees already very specific dangers, about which Gandalf warned. And with whom he was preoccupied. He gets into hellish alterations and troubles. But what will happen in the finale, you will learn by watching the film.
And what does Gandalf think of Thorin and his role as a leader and leader?
Ian McKellen: Thorin is a stubborn young man who knows about his background, but, according to Gandalf, is too proud. He would have preferred Thorin to do everything as the magician tells him, but, unfortunately, this does not depend on Gandalf. He doubts that Thorin really has the internal and external power to complete a difficult task. However, he decides to wait to see what will happen after all ...
What did Martin Freeman bring to his character Bilbo?
Ian McKellen: As an actor, he greatly enriched the role, of course. I am a big fan of his work on screen and on stage. I have been watching him for many years. And it was a great joy to meet him personally and become his friend. He is a very, very talented actor. Everyone has a high opinion of him - and rightly so! But to see him in the immediate vicinity was exciting, especially in the film.
If you are working with someone on stage, then constantly watching this is very difficult. You can observe a person looking at his character, but on the film all this can be seen more clearly through the way he makes his remarks during his close-ups, and then you get a chance to really learn how the actor works.
I admire Martin! He brilliantly approached for the role of Bilbo, just created for him. Every moment on the screen with Martin is full, he does not move by inertia. In general, I think that he is the very “glue” that holds it all together. And I am delighted with his success!
Was it hard to play a tall character among hobbits and gnomes?
Ian McKellen: Of course. Interact with them often did not work for various technical reasons. This is not very pleasant, because for the entire period of filming, my character, for example, happened to look into Bilbo’s eyes only a few times. And when I worked with Elijah Wood, who played Frodo, I always had to look below his face for the scene to look authentic. This is a little stupid. But it was a great relief to play with actors of my height, for example, Legolas and other elves. But there was always a separation in the work with the gnomes and the hobbits, and it was very sad. Nevertheless, I am a completely sincere and big fan of Martin. Looking at him on the screen is a great pleasure.
What is still very important! Peter is a great boss and organizer, but he always wants to know your opinion on any issue. If he had not been the director of the Tolkien trilogy, then I probably would not have been involved in the role for such a long period. Therefore, our meeting with Peter is one of those things that made my work really enjoyable.
How does it feel to reunite with Orlando Bloom and his Legolas?
Ian McKellen: I saw Orlando all the time, but in fact, he and I practically did not work together on the set of the film. This is a little strange because we are neighbors in New York. He works on Broadway at Romeo and Juliet, and I'm at Beckett and Pintere. Our apartments are on the same floor. Therefore, I often see him in my life, and meeting him on the set was also wonderful.
Tell us about your relationship with Peter Jackson, about your impressions of working with him?
Ian McKellen: That was one of the greatest joys of my career! I liked getting to know him and Fran (Walsh), their family and the many friends who were with them throughout the filming period, and some even longer. They created a wonderful atmosphere of friendliness and family. But I didn’t communicate with them as often as everyone was busy with work. But I can say that there was always laughter and jokes on the set, although everyone worked a lot and hard. And Peter always took the time to ask us about our concerns. Whether it concerned personal matters, health or work.
What is still very important! Peter is a great boss and organizer, but he always wants to know your opinion on any issue. If he had not been the director of the Tolkien trilogy, then I probably would not have been involved in the role for such a long period. Therefore, our meeting with Peter is one of those things that made my work really enjoyable.
