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McKellen Gives Start Date
Matthew Bass

David Bass, our own rumor coordinator, recently e-mailed Sir Ian McKellen to inquire as to when he goes to New Zealand to begin filming:

From: Ian McKellen <imm@mckellen.com> To: David Bass <dave@tolkien-movies.com> Date: Wednesday, September 29, 1999 7:56 PM Subject: Re: "The Lord of the Rings" Movies. I just wanted to e-mail to say that I'm very happy with the choice to put you in the role of Gandalf in the upcoming "Lord of the Rings" movies. May I ask when you're leaving for New Zealand to start filming? Regards, David N. Bass dave@tolkien-movies.com

Here is the reply David received from Sir Ian himself:

From: Ian McKellen <imm@mckellen.com> To: David Bass <dave@tolkien-movies.com> Date: Thursday, September 30, 1999 12:21 AM Subject: Re: "The Lord of the Rings" Movies. i start on LOTR in january - i'll keep in touch via the Grey Book on www.mckellen.com best wishes ian mckellen

Interesting. Since principal photography begins on October 11th I guess that filming of scenes which include Gandalf will start much later than expected.