Celebrity guests including Lord of the Rings star Sir Ian McKellen, rugby great Sean Fitzpatrick and Flight of the Conchords comedian Rhys Darby were among those at a memorial service for Sir Edmund Hillary at Windsor Castle today. New Zealand opera singer Jonathan Lemalu sang the aria Lord God of Abraham, described by Prime Minister Helen Clark as a “very special performance by one of our most talented young singers”. Miss Clark said a karanga by Mereana Hond was “very, very emotional” and “very moving”. Celebrities and friends attend Sir Ed memorial
Category: Ian McKellen
From Gigwise.com: Sir Ian McKellen, who played Gandalf in the Lord Of The Rings trilogy, will make a cameo appearance in the new Guillemots video. The English actor, who admits to being a fan of the group, filmed his guest spot earlier this week.
“A young relative of mine, who’s a fan of the Guillemots took me along to a concert of theirs in London and I really took to them, I really liked the music,” Sir Ian told Sky News.
Thanks to board member diedye for the link. Read More
Things are looking up for those of us who are hoping to see Sir Ian McKellen return to the role of Gandalf in The Hobbit. Many of you have pointed us to the Q&A Sir Ian posted on his blog today:
“Q: Have you been approached yet by Peter Jackson or anyone else about reprising your wonderful role as Gandalf for the two upcoming “Hobbit” movies. I read that principal photography begins in 2009, and I can’t imagine those movies without you!
A: Encouragingly, Peter and Fran Walsh have told me they couldn’t imagine The Hobbit without their original Gandalf. Their confidence hasn’t yet been confirmed by the director Guillermo del Toro but I am keeping my diary free for 2009!”
Keep that calendar clear, Sir Ian! Read More
It seems a given to LOTR fans, but maybe there are actually some people out there who still think Ian McKellen can be replaced as Gandalf in the upcoming ‘Hobbit’ films. As of last night, according this to this report from Ringer Philip, Ian McKellen has not been contacted to reprise his role as everyone’s favorite wizard. Check out Phil’s report and then feel free to make your voice heard in our message boards and other various venues. Continue reading “Of Course Ian McKellen would play Gandalf? Right? RIGHT?”
Board member diedye alerted us to this article at “Varsity” about a new book by Sir Ian McKellen and an appearance he’s making at The Octagon this Monday:
“Sir Ian McKellen is launching a new book about the Marlowe Society, of which he was President whilst reading English at Cambridge in the Sixties. He’s written the foreword, and now he wants to talk. The voice on the other end of the telephone line is eerily familiar, and terribly grand. McKellen is keen to discuss the book: “It is important for wider readership because of the influence the Marlowe Society has had on the professional theatre world,” he observes – an influence largely to do with their “shared approach” to the Elizabethan dramatic verse that is their area of interest.
The JRR Tolkien adaptation – one of the most expensive West End shows in history – received four nominations at the Laurence Olivier Awards. The stage version of The Lord Of The Rings is also a best new musical contender, despite mixed reviews. Other nominations include best lighting, set design, costume and sound. Sir Ian McKellen also received a ‘best actor’ nomination for his portrayal as King Lear.
The 32nd annual Laurence Olivier Awards ceremony will be held on 9 March at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel, hosted by actor Richard E Grant. [More]