Director Peter Jackson’s adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings remains one of cinema’s most iconic trilogies, still widely viewed and appreciated on HBO Max. Ian McKellen, who portrayed the wizard Gandalf, recently shared a humorous moment from early in the filming process, revealing an unexpected question he asked during his second day on set. This memorable anecdote sheds light on the challenges actors face when filming out of narrative order, especially in a story as complex as LOTR.
Filming the Final Goodbye Scene First
While Ian McKellen became synonymous with Gandalf throughout the trilogy, his initial experience filming was unconventional. His second scene to shoot was actually the farewell scene from The Return of the King, where Gandalf says goodbye to the four hobbits before sailing away. In an interview with journalist Jake Hamilton, McKellen explained this unusual timeline:
“The next scene I did two days later was in the studio when Gandalf is saying goodbye to the four hobbits, before sailing off into the sunset. This was the last movie, the last scene in the third movie was the second scene I ever shot.”
This meant that McKellen had to embody the emotional closure of Gandalf’s journey before experiencing the progression of the character’s story, an intense challenge given the trilogy’s deep narrative layers and character arcs.
A Funny Question During Early Filming
During the same interview, McKellen recalled asking Peter Jackson a question revealing his initial confusion about the character relationships early in filming. He shared:
“There were these four young hobbits, and I had to say to Peter Jackson, ‘Ugh, do I know these guys?’ He said, ‘Yes, you’ve been through an awful lot with them, had a lot of adventures. ‘Do I like them?’ ‘Yes, you like them.’”
This exchange highlights how McKellen initially grappled with embodying Gandalf’s connections to the hobbits before filming the majority of their shared journey. Given the source material’s richness, stepping into the role without exposure to the full story was understandably disorienting.
Self-Reflection on His Performance
Although McKellen’s portrayal of Gandalf is celebrated by many fans, the actor himself acknowledged the challenge of performing such a significant scene so early. Reflecting on his work in that farewell moment, he remarked:
“If you ever see that third movie, you’ll see that Gandalf’s face is serene and conveys nothing, because there was nothing going on in my mind.”
His self-deprecating humor captures the pressure actors face when filming scenes stripped of full storyline context. Through this candid admission, McKellen reveals the unease underlying even the most iconic performances when navigating complex shooting schedules.
The Lasting Impact of Lord of the Rings and McKellen’s Career
The Lord of the Rings trilogy continues to hold a special place in cinematic history and among audiences worldwide, with the films readily available to stream on HBO Max. New related content like The Hunt for Gollum is also in development, expanding the universe further. Meanwhile, Ian McKellen remains an active figure in entertainment, poised to appear in the upcoming Marvel movie Avengers: Doomsday, scheduled to premiere in theaters on December 20, 2026.
McKellen’s early LOTR filming question offers insight into the complexities of bringing a beloved character to life under challenging conditions, emphasizing the actor’s adaptability and dedication. As filming continues to intrigue audiences behind the scenes, stories like this deepen fandom appreciation for the monumental effort behind the trilogy’s success.
