Sean Connery famously turned down the role of Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings, a decision that director Peter Jackson now views positively. Jackson noted that Connery likely wouldn’t have been as supportive or adaptable as Ian McKellen, who embraced the demanding role and process. Many other actors, including Russell Crowe and Uma Thurman, also declined roles in the trilogy, but McKellen’s portrayal remains iconic. As fans anticipate new content, including The Hunt for Gollum, the legacy of Gandalf endures as a casting triumph.
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