Ian McKellen’s First Look as Gandalf in ‘The Hunt for Gollum’ Leaked Online

Avatar photoHrvoje Milakovic
Ian McKellen gandalf lord of the rings
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Middle-earth is officially back in production, and fans of the original trilogy have been eagerly awaiting any new set footage from ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum.’ With Andy Serkis returning to the franchise as director while also reprising his role as Gollum, anticipation has been at an all-time high since filming began.

This week, excitement reached new heights when a behind-the-scenes clip surfaced online, showcasing Ian McKellen in full Gandalf costume, complete with the iconic long gray beard and hair that fans have missed since his last appearance over a decade ago.

The twist came when fans investigated the origins of this footage. Surprisingly, McKellen’s Gandalf reveal wasn’t part of a traditional promotional campaign for ‘Hunt for Gollum,’ but instead emerged from an unexpected collaboration with musician Troye Sivan.

McKellen recorded the opening monologue for Sivan’s upcoming music video for the song “Party,” the lead single from his forthcoming fourth studio album, ‘She’s the Best.’ The video features a ‘Game of Thrones’-style medieval theme, following Sivan as a battle-weary warrior returning to camp just in time for a celebration.

In his familiar Gandalf cadence, McKellen delivered the line: “The conquest is nearly over. Fires blaze from one end of the realm to another. But what is victory, if not celebrated! For at long last… a party.” His delivery carries the same weight as his iconic lines from the films, despite being crafted for a pop single rather than an epic fantasy.

While the pairing may seem unusual, it makes sense given both McKellen and Sivan’s willingness to embrace playful, genre-bending projects. Regardless of how this collaboration came to be, the clip serves as the first confirmed look at McKellen back in costume for ‘The Hunt for Gollum,’ well ahead of any official studio marketing.

Beyond just the beard reveal, the clip confirms that production on the film is actively underway. At 87 years old, McKellen is stepping back into a role he first portrayed in 2001’s ‘The Fellowship of the Ring,’ making his return particularly significant after such a long absence.

He won’t be alone in reprising familiar roles. Elijah Wood is set to return as Frodo Baggins, and Lee Pace will reprise his role as Thranduil. The film will also introduce new characters, with Jamie Dornan stepping into the role of Strider, a younger version of Aragorn originally played by Viggo Mortensen, alongside Leo Woodall as a new character named Halvard and Kate Winslet as Marigol.

Positioned as a prequel and interquel to ‘The Fellowship of the Ring,’ the film follows Gandalf and Strider as they track down Gollum to determine if Bilbo Baggins’s ring is indeed the One Ring that Sauron seeks. This narrative gap allows the production to explore aspects of Middle-earth’s history that the original trilogy didn’t cover.

‘The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum’ is currently scheduled to hit theaters on December 17, 2027, giving fans ample time to speculate as more set details leak out leading up to the release. If this early Gandalf reveal is any indication, fans can expect more surprises from unexpected corners of pop culture.

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