Mckellen versus Connery

[Balrog_of_Morgoth]

I remember reading all the rumours a few years ago regarding Sean Connery being cast as Gandalf. I liked the idea, and can remember being dismayed when I found out otherwise.

Now that I have seen the movie, I can't imagine anyone but Sir Ian playing the role. I think he simply "is" Gandalf, and loved his acting.

I suspect Connery would have been great, but it may have been a bad thing to "see Sean Connery" behind the face of Gandalf, since we are all so familiar with him from 007 movies, etc.

What do you guys think?

[hobinator]

i dont think connery would have been good for the role, everytime i would think of LOTR i would think of Celebrity Jeopardy on SNL, Connery wouldnt have been serious enough, i think, for the role of Gandalf

[Elfhelm]

I think it was good that they kept away from the most famous of the famous, such as James Bo... ummm... Sean Connery. Can you imagine if they used someone like Leonardo D. for Frodo!?!?! ugh! And Ian is such a good actor it took zero seconds for me to forget what a frightening Richard III he played, or that danged Magneto in X-Men. When he looked up from under that pointed hat, it was Gandalf for me.

[Legolas_Frodo_Aragorn]

i could not imagine it with sean connery

[Gwaimir Windgem]

Hmm, I don't know that he would have been a very good Gandalf, but I like Connery way more than McKellen! He's a good actor, but Connery is as well, and he's just too cool! However, I think McKellan (McKellen or McKellan?) is definitely better for Gandalf.

[cee2lee2]

I like Sean Connery but I don't think he would have inhabited the role as well as Sir Ian does.

[cee2lee2]

I likek Sean Connery but I don't think he would have inhabited the role as well as Sir Ian does.

[Gwaimir Windgem]

Wow, you really wanted to get that across, huh? ;)

[cee2lee2]

Sorry for the double post :(

[Aeryn Evenstar]

I think Sean Connery would have done really well as Gandalf, however, now I can't see anyone else but Sir Ian in the role. He is just perfect for that role. That's why it was rumored he'd be the new Dumbledore. I'm glad it's not true. Gandalf can't be in Harry Potter! :D But it will be hard to replace Richard Harris.

[Millane]

i dunno i probly just cant see it because i am so used to Sir Ian but i can certainly imagine Daniel Day Lewis as Aragorn even though Viggo was awesome

[Insidious Rex]

Originally posted by hobinator
i dont think connery would have been good for the role, everytime i would think of LOTR i would think of Celebrity Jeopardy on SNL, Connery wouldnt have been serious enough, i think, for the role of Gandalf

Ha ha! Thats too funny. I can just see it now:

Sean C: Alecsh Ill take "Me Nasty" for 300.

Alex T: uh.. thats MINAS TIRITH! How did you get that pen in here!

Sean C: OH HO HO HO HO!! OH HO HO!!

Alex T: thats IT Im demoting you to ring wraith!

but anyway I think Ian is just perfect for the roll. I wouldnt want anyone else at all. But all the same it would have been interesting to see Patrick Stewart in the roll. I could definitely see that. Or Nicole Williamson who played the best wizard roll (as Merlin in excalibur) ever filmed in the history of movie making. ahem. just my opinion though.

[Huan]

Ian McKellen is Gandalf. When he said "Bilbo. You still have the Ring in your pocket," it sounded exactly as I heard it in my imagination. As for Merlin in Excalibur, some would debate whether he is the best wizard "in the history of movie making," Insidious; my Arthurian Literature professor thought he was the worst thing in the movie! But I too love his portrayal. "That's it! That's it!" Sometimes I walk around just saying that to myself.

[Insidious Rex]

Originally posted by Huan
Ian McKellen is Gandalf. When he said "Bilbo. You still have the Ring in your pocket," it sounded exactly as I heard it in my imagination. As for Merlin in Excalibur, some would debate whether he is the best wizard "in the history of movie making," Insidious; my Arthurian Literature professor thought he was the worst thing in the movie!

utter and complete sacralidge! he obviously has something against classically trained british actors with 30 years of stage experience.

But I too love his portrayal. "That's it! That's it!" Sometimes I walk around just saying that to myself.

"Whats this! Whats this!! I never saw this!!"

[Arathorn]

Oh dear. My imagination sails forth:

Frodo: Why weren't you at Bree, Gandalf?

Gandalf: I am sorry, Frodo. I was delayed. The friendship of Saruman is not to be shaken nor stirred lightly.

[azalea]

LOL, Arathorn, that was a good one!:D

[LuthienTinuviel]

Originally posted by Arathorn
Oh dear. My imagination sails forth:

Frodo: Why weren't you at Bree, Gandalf?

Gandalf: I am sorry, Frodo. I was delayed. The friendship of Saruman is not to be shaken nor stirred lightly.

:eek: :D

[cassiopeia]

I'm glad Sean Connery didn't get the role, even though I love his voice. :) There are already too many jokes about Elrond/Agent Smith. I couln't take Gandalf/Bond jokes as well. Although Arathorns line in Rivendell would be funny. :D

[Dúnedain]

Although the movies have been cast wonderfully in my opinion, I think that the characters that were cast the best were Gandalf and Saruman, I mean when I first saw the movies and both of them as them, I was so amazed at how much they made the characters like I thought they were.

LOL, the thing about Elrond/Agent Smith, when my friends and I first saw the movie and saw who was playing Elrond, I leaned over and said "Mr. Anderson", lol, I kept saying it everytime he was on screen :D

[Aeryn Evenstar]

Originally posted by Dúnedain
LOL, the thing about Elrond/Agent Smith, when my friends and I first saw the movie and saw who was playing Elrond, I leaned over and said "Mr. Anderson", lol, I kept saying it everytime he was on screen :D

My little brother and his buddy do the same thing. They always quote Hugo, "I'm going to enjoy watching you die, Mr. Anderson." Funny for awhile, now it's getting anoying.

[Gwaimir Windgem]

"Hobbits are a virus."

[Dúnedain]

Originally posted by Gwaimir Windgem
"Hobbits are a virus."

LOL! "I can taste their stink in the air"

[jimbo]

I think sir Ian was perfect for the job look at him at the council of Elrond he was great:D :D :D :D :D :D :D

[Evenstar1400]

Ian did do an awesome job. hes just the person for an old wizard type look.

[Aeryn Evenstar]

Sir Ian, like Orlando Bloom, is very good at delivering a line without saying a word. Legolas doesn't say much, but his facial expressions say a lot. :)

[francod]

Gandalf the grey inparticular had a bigger sense of humor than portrayed by Ian. Gandalf in the movie is kind of a stiff. People who have read the book have knowledge of he character, and do not notice how perfect and humorless Gandalf is in the movie.

[Guardian_of_the_Forest]

It is very difficult to imagine actors other than the ones that were chosen in these roles.