Ian McKellen took a serious fall during the London production of ‘Player Kings’ in June, leading his doctors to advise a break from the play to recover. The accident later raised concerns about his ability to continue performing.
The actor replied to the retirement rumors in a recent press talk: “I’ll carry on until the knees give way or the memory gives way or the mind goes. There’s nothing else I’d rather do with my life than that. Much better to wear out than rust out, as they say.”
McKellen last appeared on the big screen in 2023’s ‘The Critic,’ playing a gay theater critic in 1930s London. The film finally saw release in the UK on September 13, 2024, after premiering at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival.
There’s currently a chance for the actor to return to the set in another project. He revealed receiving an offer to reprise his role as Gandalf in the upcoming ‘Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum’ earlier this month.
“Enthusiasm for ‘The Lord of the Rings’ shows no sign of abating,” he told The Big Issue. “I’ve just been told there are going to be more films and Gandalf will be involved and they hope that I’ll be playing him.”
While interested in revisiting the ‘LOTR’ franchise, McKellen has doubts about joining the new Andy Serkis-directed prequel due to his age. Especially because ‘The Hunt for Gollum’ still has no production schedule.
