Video Licks: Christopher Plummer Could Have Been LOTR’s Gandalf

Conan

It’s always fun to imagine other actors in the roles of iconic literary characters that have come to life on the big screen. Yesterday CONAN welcomed beloved actor Christopher Plummer (The Girl with The Dragon Tattoo) to the program. We know the actor best from his role as the dashing Captain Von Trapp in the film musical The Sound of Music, but we did not know about the epic role he turned down. In the interview it is revealed that Plummer was offered the role of Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings series. He recalls it had something to do with committing to a long stay in New Zealand, but ultimately he regrets the decision. After you hear what he says about Sir Ian McKellen you might be wishing he’d accepted too. Too funny!

Mentions: Watch CONAN weeknights 11/10C on TBS.