James McAvoy Would Like to Play Younger Gandalf
Christopher Tolkien has made it clear he would never sell the film rights to ‘The Silmarillion.’ But that has not stopped James McAvoy (Tumnus) from dreaming. The actor says that if a film adaptation was ever made, he would love to play a younger Gandalf. Read the story here. McAvoy played a young Professor Xavier in X-Men: First Class (2011).
That would be cool if James McAvoy could play Gandalf. đ Maybe it might happen, you never know!
It'll never happen. The minimal probability (let alone viability) of a Silmarillion film aside, Gandalf really isn't in the book. Within The Silmarillion, Gandalf gets one mention in "Valaquenta" (under the name Olorin), and never makes an appearance in the main "Quenta Silmarillion". Where would McAvoy play a younger Gandalf? He can dream, but even if The Silmarillion did make it to the silver screen, I seriously doubt Gandalf would be in it.
Although, McAvoy might be good as some other Silmarillion characters. I'd actually consider him for the part of Maeglin. Or maybe Daeron.
If they did sell the rights, it wouldn't be to Peter Jackson. It would be interesting to see what someone else would do with it…
But it would be cool if Tumnus was young Gandalf! Or other characters.
Sorry to burst your bubble but there is no young Gandalf. In Unfinished Tales we read: They(The Istari-Gandalf, Saruman, Radagast, the Blue Wizards) first appeared in Middle-earth about the year 1000 of the Third Age, but for long they went about in simple guise, as it were of Men already old in years but hale in body, travellers and wanderers, gaining knowledge of Middle-earth and all that dwelt therein, but revealing to none their powers and purposes.
For they came from over the Sea out of the Uttermost West; though this was for long known only to CĂrdan, Guardian of the Third Ring, master of the Grey Havens, who saw their landings upon the western shores. Emissaries they were from Lords of the West, the Valar, who still took counsel for the governance of Middle-earth, and when the shadow of Sauron began first to stir again took this means of resisting him. For with the consent of Eru they sent members of their own high order, but clad in bodies of as of Men, real and not feigned, but subject to the fears and pains and weariness of earth, able to hunger and thirst and be slain; though because of their noble spirits they did not die, and aged only by the cares and labours of many long years. And this the Valar did, desiring to amend the errors of old, especially that they had attempted to guard and seclude the Eldar by their own might and glory fully revealed; whereas now their emissaries were forbidden to reveal themselves in forms of majesty, or to seek to rule the wills of Men and Elves by open display of power, but coming in shapes weak and humble were bidden to advise and persuade Men and Elves to good, and to seek to unite in love and understanding all those whom Sauron, should he come again, would endeavour to dominate and corrupt.
Of this Order the number is unknown; but of those that came to the North of Middle-earth, where there was most hope (because of the remnant of the DĂșnedain and of the Eldar that abode there), the chiefs was five. The first to come was one of noble mien and bearing, with raven hair, and a fair voice, and he was clad in white; great skill he had in works of hand, and he was regarded by well-nigh all, even by the Eldar, as the head of the Order. Others there were also: two clad in sea-blue, and one in earthen brown; and the last came one who seemed the least, less tall than the others, and in looks more aged, grey-haired and grey-clad, and leaning on a staff. But CĂrdan from their first meeting at the Grey Havens divined in him reverence, and he gave to his keeping the Third Ring, Narya the Red.
True, Gandalf never appeared young while incarnated in Middle-earth, but it's probable that he did appear younger prior to his arrival at the Grey Havens. The maiar, as primarily spiritual beings, can assume different forms, so in Valinor Gandalf/Olorin most likely looked different than the version in LOTR. But still, there's no way any earlier version of Gandalf should appear in any future
*future film. Arg, now I look stupid…
Yeah, you're right. (I haven't read The Silmarillion yet, though.) However, acting skills alone I think McAvoy could do a good job, if ever there would be any young Gandalf to play. Wait, did Gandalf ever appear young? Isn't his form an old man?
Yes, I was just going to say that he would have to play him as old as he is in the existing films!