{"id":26491,"date":"2002-07-15T05:44:09","date_gmt":"2002-07-15T10:44:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.theonering.net\/torwp\/2002\/07\/15\/swedish-paper-interviews-mckellen-and-jackson-about-ttt-2\/"},"modified":"2002-07-15T05:44:09","modified_gmt":"2002-07-15T10:44:09","slug":"swedish-paper-interviews-mckellen-and-jackson-about-ttt-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theonering.net\/torwp\/2002\/07\/15\/26491-swedish-paper-interviews-mckellen-and-jackson-about-ttt-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Swedish Paper Interviews McKellen and Jackson About TTT"},"content":{"rendered":"

Swedish newspaper, Aftonbladet, recently posted an article about Gandalf<\/a> in the Two Towers. The article included some short interviews with both Ian McKellen<\/a> and Peter Jackson<\/a>. It´s in Swedish, but Al_Bino kindly provided the following translation. You can read the original swedish text here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Gandalf<\/a> is alive in the new movie – Strong and white<\/b><\/p>\n

McKellen: “He is like a Sam<\/a>urai”<\/p>\n

Warning. Here the intrigue of “the Two Towers” is revealed. Unfortunately it probably won´t help if you stop reading here. Before the movie has its premiere most of the viewers will know that Gandalf<\/a> is back.<\/p>\n

– He is more sharp in the new movie, says Ian McKellen<\/a> who plays Gandalf<\/a>. He is literally reborn.<\/p>\n

In “Lord of the Rings” Gandalf<\/a> falls down a dark chasm after having stopped Balrog, so that Frodo<\/a> and the others can escape. Now a trailer for “the Two Towers”, rolls in the swedish theaters. Two minutes that ends with a close-up on Ian McKellen<\/a> as the impressive Gandalf<\/a>.<\/p>\n

During a break in production in New Zeeland, I ask Peter Jackson<\/a> why he has chosen to reveal that the bearded leader of the Fellowship is coming back.<\/p>\n

Did you think about hiding the return of Gandalf<\/a> until the premiere?<\/b><\/p>\n

– No, that´s impossible. For several reasons. Many millions have read Tolkiens books and knows what an
important part Gandalf<\/a> plays in the two sequels, says Peter Jackson<\/a>. We have to have Ian McKellen<\/a>s name on the poster, and maybe a picture of him to. So I thought he could be in the trailer as well. But now it´s not really the same wizard. Last time he was Gandalf<\/a> the Grey. Now he is Gandalf<\/a> the White.<\/p>\n

I meet him at last at breakfast in Wellingtons studio, where the tall Gandalf<\/a> and Saruman<\/a> strides around majestically, picking up egg and bacon. When the day of recording is over, an Ian McKellen<\/a> without makeup comes, and tells me about the wizards return after his death in the first film. He stretches his stiff limbs.<\/p>\n

– I get tired from 14-hour days and sitting on a barrel dressed in cow-skin, pretending to be riding a horse, he says. The horse is Shadowfax. In the trailer we see a glimpse of Gandalf<\/a> riding in the front of a charge.<\/p>\n

Your character is transformed?<\/b><\/p>\n

– He is sent back to do the job he did not finish, says Ian McKellen<\/a>. Gandalf<\/a> the Grey was burdened with an ache, from all the thousands of years that he had lived. A little uncautious, made some mistakes, sat rather with the Hobbits drinking and smoking. Not always on the alert.<\/p>\n

– Now Gandalf<\/a> is sharp and concentrated. The Ring is on it´s journey, and he must see to it that it gets there. <\/p>\n

He is a leader, a samurai, more energetic. Gandalf<\/a> looks younger, even though his hair has turned white. He is neat and elegant. Still with a sense of humour, but he will not let himself get distracted.<\/p>\n

Was it easy to become Gandalf<\/a> again after 18 months?<\/b><\/p>\n

– Yes, but I was a little worried. Peter showed me all my scenes in “the Two Towers” and explained what he wanted to add and remake. When I saw them I found the right mood again.<\/p>\n

It must help having all the others back in Wellington as well?<\/b><\/p>\n

– Yes, it´s very unusual that everybody in the crew is back to make the additions. Everyone is here because of Peter Jackson<\/a>. It´s a very nice atmosphere here in New Zealand. We don´t have any pressure on us any longer, since the first film was such a success.<\/p>\n

– Peter told us that now it´s more like making a home-video. Although I´ve felt like that all the time
with “Lord of the Rings”. It just happened to be a home-video that the whole world enjoyed. Gandalf<\/a> has a bigger role in the secod and the third installment.<\/p>\n

– It´s his last job. When it´s done he knows it is the end of Gandalf<\/a>. His journey is over. He is a changed person.<\/p>\n

– Gandalf<\/a> speaks differently and looks differently. He has become more vigorous and strong to
complete his task.<\/p>\n

It sounds like an action hero?<\/b><\/p>\n

– Yes, but unlike other action heroes he is very human. You never see Magneto in “X-men” sitting down having a meal. The viewers gets to see Gandalf<\/a> on his time off as well.<\/p>\n

But after this you´re back in Magnetos costume again, right?<\/b><\/p>\n

– Yes, we´re starting to shoot in Vancouver in july. It feels like I have been doing “X-men” and Gandalf<\/a> for five years. I made the first “X-men” just before “Lord of the Rings” and now I´m back as Magneto again. “X-men” is also a family, though a little changed. Both Halle Berry and Hugh Jackman has become big stars since we made the first “X-men”.<\/p>\n

I saw you in August Strindbergs “Dödsdansen” (Dance of Death) with Helen Mirren on Broadway. Have you any new plans for the Theatre-stage?<\/b><\/p>\n

– Not right now, but quite soon. We were thinking of doing Strindberg in London. I´m shooting “X-men” in Vancouver until october, but after that i´d like to do a play.<\/p>\n

Ian McKellen<\/a> started doing theatre and made his breakthrough as a movie actor in the 1990´s. He has been a spokesman for homosexuals in England, and was recently grand marshal for the Gay Pride parade in San Fransisco. He met his boyfriend in New Zealand and spends much time there.<\/p>\n

– Yes, i´ve become like a part of the furniture. Nobody looks, says Ian McKellen<\/a>. But “Lord of the Rings” has changed a lot. I have got fans for the first time in my life. Children who draws their breaths when they see Gandalf<\/a>. It happens everywhere. My website has 2 million hits a month.<\/p>\n

The time in New Zealand has given him a new point of view.<\/p>\n

– I am more eager to have some time off now, says Ian McKellen<\/a>. Before, I worked a lot, and lived to little.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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