Choosing the right actor to play Gandalf the Grey was a vital necessity when Peter Jackson created the original Lord of the Rings trilogy, based on the Tolkien books that single-handedly changed the fantasy genre. It was perhaps the most important role of the entire film, and the wrong actor could have easily derailed the audience's investment in the story.
Thankfully, Jackson chose the highly talented Ian McKellan to play the grey wizard, and fans rejoiced. However, what if McKellan wasn't able to take the role? Could another actor step in and do the job just as well?
10 Christopher Lee
This choice might seem odd given that most LOTR fans have already solidified Christopher Lee as the definitive Saruman the White, but think twice. Lee has shown a remarkable acting range, despite his villainous typecasting over the years. He's played benevolent heroes and savage tyrants alike.
Lee would have to dial down a lot of his intimidating presence in order to pass himself off as a benevolent wizard, but he could have done that easily. Plus, his baritone voice and commanding stature would have been wondrous to see on screen whenever Gandalf asserted himself, such as the secret council scene from the first film. It's also no secret that Lee very much wanted to play Gandalf in the films.
9 Liam Neeson
By the time Lord of the Rings was being filmed, Liam Neeson was already cast as Qui-Gon Jinn in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. There, he proved he had what it took to play a sage old wizard type, with the presence to command each scene. Layer him up in Gandalf's beard and robes, and he could have easily passed for the real thing.
Neeson's stellar work in the iconic Schindler's List proved he could handle dramatic roles with ease, and his tall physique was a natural fit for Gandalf. His signature accent may have required a slight bit of tweaking in order to make him sound more old-world, but he doubtlessly could have pulled it off.
8 John Hurt
John Hurt voiced Aragorn in the Ralph Bakshi adaptation of Lord of the Rings, and it was a miscast to say the least. Hurt's voice didn't suit the character very well, and would have been far better spent on a wise old wizard like Gandalf. This would have made him a good fit for the live-action role.
Though he wasn't the tallest man on the set, Hurt could have portrayed Gandalf with the right amount of gravitas and presence needed to command a scene. Plus, he was no stranger to belting out his emotions at full blast, which is something Gandalf was prone to do.
7 Jeff Bridges
Jeff Bridges has played a number of elderly authority figures in his time, and his signature disposition and presence would have allowed him to play Gandalf without trouble. However, it would have been a far different performance than the one audiences saw with Ian McKellan.
First, Bridges would have to adopt an old-world English accent in order to fit in. If he could manage to ditch his Americanized drawl, he'd be that much closer to assuming the role. Plus, it's easy to imagine him draped in robes, a heavy beard, and a big pointy hat.
6 Frank Langella
Frank Langella is an incredibly accomplished actor with a piercing presence that makes him the center of every shot. He's played all kinds of roles from the everyman to the intelligent and diabolical Skeletor, which is a testament to his acting chops.
Underneath a beard and hat, Langella would definitely have come alive as an old face with a young disposition, much like the grey wizard himself. Plus, he'd make excellent use of his sharp eyes, which are a signature physical trait of the actor.
5 David Warner
Audiences commonly associate British acting legend David Warner with bad guy roles due to his voice and physical characteristics, but he's played a number of good guy roles in the past, as well. His steely personality would have fit quite well with Gandalf's no-nonsense approach to great threats.
Warner's only challenge would be to harness a kinder disposition when scenes called for it - particularly those involving hobbits. He'd have to come off as approachable, assuring, and encouraging. Doubtlessly, he would have succeeded.
4 Alec Guinness
This particular entry is a "what-if" type scenario that would have required Guiness not pass away in 2000, and be young enough to handle the physical demands of the role. As the legendary Obi-Wan Kenobi, Guinness essentially played the sci-fi space opera version of Gandalf, which would have made him a perfect choice for the LOTR trilogy.
Guinness was a consummate professional, a gentleman and a class act, all the way. He embodied the best of traditional British culture and a nod to the good old days of etiquette, but he was also capable of commanding a scene with authority. It's easy to picture him as Gandalf the Grey if LOTR had been made 10-15 years earlier.
3 Peter O'Toole
Legendary actor Peter O'Toole has his own signature style of acting that only he can pull off, and that means his interpretation of Gandalf would have been wholly unique amongst the rest. O'Toole had an ability to project both benevolence and intimidation in his performances, which would be a killer combination for Gandalf.
The actor's sole challenge would have been to dial back some of his intensity in key scenes where Gandalf gets riled up. The confrontation with the Balrog is a perfect example. If O'Toole performed that scene in the same vein as Lawrence of Arabia, it would have been too over-the-top to take seriously.
2 Charles Dance
Charles Dance made a household name for himself when he portrayed the cruel and methodical Tywin Lannister on HBO's Game Of Thrones. However, he'd already had a solid Hollywood career at that point, appearing in everything from Alien 3 to The Last Action Hero.
This actor is primarily known for playing villains and no-nonsense good guys, which means he'd have to channel those smiles and feelings in order to win audiences over as the benevolent wizard. For every other scene, his natural personality would shine through and bring the wizard right to the forefront of every shot.
1 Tom Baker
The most quirky choice for Gandalf was saved for last, with good reason. It's always wise for a filmmaker to consider all possibilities before committing to just one, and that means purposely choosing actors that fly in the face of conventional wisdom. After all, it worked for Michael Keaton in Batman.
Tom Baker, most famous for having portrayed the Fourth Doctor Who, is a child trapped in a man's body, and he'd probably be the first to admit it. This gleeful, wide-eyed madman would have made for a wonderful Gandalf, provided he could summon his intensity for more dramatic scenes. If it managed to work out, Baker would have been dazzling to watch in Lord of the Rings.
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