Before quitting his role as Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings franchise, Sir Ian McKellan was applauded for his acting skills and ease of bringing life to the character. However, as is with any movie or series, the behind-the-scene story on the sets of The Hobbit is surprising. In an interview with ContactMusic, The Hobbit, Sir Ian McKellen revealed shocking behind-the-scenes details about the making of the movie.
Sir Ian McKellen’s Isolated Struggle
The Lord of the Rings trilogy revolutionized fantasy and established a new benchmark for epic filmmaking. In a frank interview, McKellen revealed that due to the need to shoot the dwarves and a large Gandalf, they couldn’t be on the same set.
As a result, he had no human company and had to make do with 13 photographs of the dwarves on stands with little lights. Trying to convey emotions and interact with mere photographs proved challenging for the actor and took a toll on him.
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In a candid interview with ContactMusic, McKellen confessed that pretending to be with 13 other people when no one was around was not an easy task.
“In order to shoot the dwarves and a large Gandalf, we couldn’t be in the same set. All I had for company was 13 photographs of the dwarves on top of stands with little lights.”
McKellen admitted in the same interview that trying to emote and interact with mere photographs, devoid of any human presence, took a toll on the actor.
“Pretending you’re with 13 other people when you’re on your own, it stretches your technical ability to the absolute limits.”
During the filming of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, tensions reached their peak. As revealed by ContactMusic, McKellen was overwhelmed by the isolation and the demands of green-screen acting.
“This is not why I became an actor. I cried, actually. I cried. Unfortunately, the microphone was on, and the whole studio heard.”
That vulnerable moment, marked by tears, was unwittingly broadcast throughout the studio, giving everyone a raw glimpse into the actor’s emotional state.
The Hobbit’s Director’s Dilemma
Peter Jackson, the filmmaker, noticed that Sir Ian McKellen was struggling and feeling down. To uplift him, Jackson made a heartwarming gesture. He empathized with McKellen, acknowledging that he felt sorry for him being thrown into the world of green screens on the first few days of filming.
Recognizing the weight of his pressures, the cast and crew members organized a spontaneous “Gandalf appreciation day.” McKellen’s tent was adorned with Lord of the Rings memorabilia, a heartwarming gesture meant to uplift his spirits.
Even though McKellen faced many challenges, his unyielding determination enabled him to complete the project. His hard work paid off as The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey earned more than $1 billion globally.
Source: ContactMusic
