He was already 62 years old when he first portrayed Gandalf the Grey in the original 'Lord of the Rings' films, but Ian McKellen is up for reprising his most famous film role in the new glut of films set in Middle Earth.

Andy Serkis is set to direct the first of a new trilogy, 'Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum', which is set for release in 2026.

And even though McKellen is now 85, he admitted in a recent interview that he'd be interested in playing the role of the wise wizard - on one condition.

Speaking to The Sunday Times, McKellen said that he had heard Gandalf will feature in the new film and joked how he already had the requisite long hair and beard for his current theatre role as Falstaff in 'Player Kings', an amalgamation of Shakespeare's Henry VIII Parts 1 and 2, running in London's West End.

"But there is no script, there is no offer, there is no plan," he added. When pressed on whether he would be up for the role, he jokingly said "If I'm alive."

Considering how his fellow thesp Christopher Lee was approaching his 80th birthday when he portrayed Saruman in the original trilogy, it's certainly not beyond the realm of possibility.

It's also difficult to see anyone else in the role of Gandalf - but for now, it's a case of waiting to see how 'The Hunt for Gollum' ultimately pans out.