In light of the major announcement, a few stars from the LOTR film series have already begun to throw their hats in the ring. Ian McKellen is totally down to play Gandalf again. Back in December, he discussed the Amazon series during a visit on The Graham Norton Show. When Norton suggested that they may have to cast another Gandalf for the show, McKellen wouldn't hear it. "What do you mean, another Gandalf? I haven't said yes because I haven't been asked. But are you suggesting that someone else is going to play it? Gandalf is over 7,000 years old, so I'm not too old." Sounds like he wants dibs, Amazon.
Dominic Monaghan, meanwhile, isn't opposed to reprising his role as Merry, either. "It just depends how they do it, really. . . . If they do the older hobbits sitting around reminiscing on their journeys, of course I'd do that. I love that world, and I think introducing new generations to that world only brings them back to the Peter Jackson trilogy, and to the books."
But not everyone is on board to return (even if Amazon asks). John Rhys-Davies, who played Gimli in the original trilogy, isn't a fan of the series. In fact, he dislikes the idea. "Why we quite need Lord of the Rings as a TV series baffles me slightly . . . I mean, the extraordinary money they're getting from online gambling and stuff like this, it's just a disgrace."
Andy Serkis, who memorably portrayed Gollum and Smeagol, also isn't inclined to return. He was a bit kinder about the prospect of a TV series, though. "It sounds incredible, but I don't see myself being any part of it," he said. "I think it's a completely fresh, new approach to it all, so I don't think I'd imagine myself to be anywhere near it really."