Legolas and Gandalf

[Elrond Jr]

I have a question that me and my friends have been wondering about for a while: Why was Gandalf linking arms with Legolas whilst he was entering the Golden Hall in Edoras? Was it part of the script? Does it have signfigance? Or did it just happen or did Ian McKellen add that part or something else?

[dunadan_aragorn]

You know, I have no earthly clue, in fact, I never even noticed. Keen are the eyes of Elrond Jr!

I noticed it too. I think Gandalf had just said something about needing his staff because he was an old man. I suspect he was "leaning" on Legolas for support.

maybe to appear more harmless, or weaker

[Tinuviel87]

I took it as Gandalf trying to seem weak and old so they would not doubt his need of his staff<BR>~Seka

Dude I am with moth and Tinuviel87 on this one. I think its to show his weakness, but then again you never know.

[Horse-Maiden of the Shire]

well, when he said "you would not part an old man with his walking stick" after he said that i supposed it was because he was trying to keep up the illusion that he was weak and frail.

[Lush]

My God, you people, apparently all live under a large rock together.<P>Why, in Letter#666, Tolkien himself wrote that:<P> <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Legolas was really Gandalf's illegitimate son with Celebrian, and the real reason why she ditched Elrond and left.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>*Sheesh*<P>

[the phantom]

Careful, Lush, you never know when someone is going to believe a comment like that and start a thread about it.

[Gorwingel]

Or send a rumor like that to another website You can't believe what people will believe these days.<P>But back to the topic...<BR>I saw that scene many times, it was very interesting, maybe PJ was just giving Legolas some more screen time for all the Bloom fans , but yes I just think it was to further the illusion that Gandalf was old a frail (even though he still had his staff/old man walking stick)<p>[ March 11, 2003: Message edited by: Gorwingel ]

[Elrond Jr]

i'm kind of surprised that all of you answered assuming that it was according to the movie script. I'm sure you all know about McKellan, etc... Maybe he was just doing that for his own fun? Or maybe he was a frail old man. But he still brought his staff. So what would be the purpose of the staff if he still needed Legolas to walk?

[Lush]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>I'm sure you all know about McKellan, etc... Maybe he was just doing that for his own fun?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Well, of course he was! Nevermind that Sir Ian McKellen is one of the greatest actors living today. You know those crazy homosexuals, willing to compromise every single scene for the purpose of their "own fun." Why how very <I>astute</I> of an observation! Bravo.<P>

[lord of dor-lomin]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> You know those crazy homosexuals, willing to compromise every single scene for the purpose of their "own fun." <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>Though I'm certain that was intended to be sarcasm, that seems to describe very accurately several such individuals that I know. Then again, aren't most people of all sorts like that, using everyday situations on the job to have a bit of fun?<P>I think that Elrond Jr did make an astute observation, just because of how people are in general. You don't think Sir Ian is above having fun, do you?

[Lush]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>You don't think Sir Ian is above having fun, do you?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Of course not. I do, however, think that Sir Ian <I>is</I> above placing his own homosexuality ahead of the film's intentions, the dynamic between characters, etc. I find Elrond's assertion curious, because it specifically addresses Sir Ian's sexual orientation, as opposed to general human nature. If you adopt Elrond's logic, that would mean that we should interpret Galadriel kissing Frodo on the forehead in FotR as something Cate Blanchett did "for fun," because she is a hererosexual female.

[Tar-Palantir]

Many have said the same thing about when Frodo jumped into his arms at the beginning of Fellowship. Some even said that it made them uncomfortable. That makes me absolutely laugh out loud, don't get out much do ya'? It's this crazy misconception that every gay man is tryin' to get it on with every other man, gay or straight. And that they can't control their own behavior for some reason - like it's raging out of control or some such thing. "Look out! Nobody's safe around that guy. Don't let him touch you!!" And FYI - not everybody thinks Bloom or Wood is hot - believe it.<P>And besides, I think if we all knew what everybody else did for fun, we probably wouldn't let anybody near us. Ewwwwww.....you do what?!?

[Rochelle]

I don't think being gay had anything to do with those scenes. I think in Edoras, Gandalf was being supported by Legolas to portray him as weak, as many have said. <P>As far as your comments, wether sarcastic or not, about "crazy homosexuals"...lets hope no one else took offense. I have many gay friends and I respect them as much as anyone can.

[gilraën]

I don't think an actor as talented and well respected as Sir Ian McKellen can be accused of turning these films into a vehicle for his sexuality, after all he shared a trailer/dressing room with the 4 hobbits for the time the film was being shot and not one word has been said to imply there was anything but propriety observed.

[Burzdol]

It was to signify that he was "supposedly" not able to walk well without his staff. Then he turned around as a strong wizard.<P>~Burzdol~

[dunadan_aragorn]

Geez! All you guys have keener eyes then me! Maybe I should visit the eye doctor.................

[GaladrieloftheOlden]

Yes, I noticed the leaning thing too, and I thought, the same as many others, that it was simply to portray his "weakness". I did <B>not</B> think it was anything homosexual and sincerely hope the rest of you were just kidding. <BR>BTW- Even though McKellen is gay, I think that saying he was hitting on the other actors is just nasty. Seriously, that's like saying that if you're not gay, you like every person, every age, as long as they're your gender. Seriously, he's 60 or something! Elijah is 20, Orlando is 24, you pervs

[Arathiriel]

Sheesh did any of you actually watch TTT and enjoy it or did you sit there analyzing all its faults as well as how the actors played out their scenes?<P>This entire issue turning towards the fact that Sir Ian McKellen is gay should have <B>never</B> had happened! Sheesh, any and all touches he makes with the other actors IMNSHO is for the sake of advancing the scene/Gandalf's character for <B>pity's sake</B>!!!! <P>Seriously, people, when I watched TTT I sat there and allowed myself to be absorbed into the story and I wasn't analyzing this, that, and the other!<P>Please get your minds out of the gutters already!<P><I>*Climbs off of her soapbox*</I><p>[ March 12, 2003: Message edited by: Arathiriel ]

[Nevcairion_of_Rivendell]

Oh my gosh! i never noticed that i think that Eyes of an Elv Elrond Jr! has<P><BR>"Gandalf the forces of Mordor are moving in the west his eye is fixed on Rivendell. Who will you turn to when we are gone? The Dwarves? They keep to their mines seeking riches they care nothing of the troubles of others! "-Elrond from FotR<BR>"Then it is in Men that we must place our hope"-Gandalf<BR>"MEN Men are weak it is because of men that the ring endures. I was there Gandalf. I was there a thousand years ago at that battle at Mount Doom, the one place this one time that it could be destroyed. I led Isildor to the heart of Mount Doom, the one place it could be destroyed, but he kept it, the time that the strength of men failed." - Elrond<P>

[balrogman]

Ok I mean no offense to any of the other downers, but if you really think that Sir Ian being gay has anything to do with the fact that he leans on Legolas, you clearly need to think. This whole gay issue may be a joke, but come on! If he wanted to lean on Orlando to satisfy his "appetite" he definetely wouldn't have done it when they were filming. In the movie, Gandalf says that he needs his staff to lean on because he is a feeble old man. He's tricking the guards into letting his staff inside with him. Gandalf leaning on Legolas is only an act to help make his feeble old man story more believable.<P>O God I'm ranting aren't I?

[the real findorfin]

OMG, this is a moive section, not some 'anti-homosexual' site. Please stay on topic!

[Rynoah, the Overly-Happy]

I don't even want to begin to imagine the fanfictions that will be produced from this topic/idea.

[Elrond Jr]

You know what, that was just a rumor. And an obviously false rumor too. But i just wanted to mention what a great job Ian McKellan did as Gandalf. Im sure there's other threads about all of the great acting jobs. But Ian Mckellan was incredible. And the thing with him being frail, or pretending to be frail just shows you how he attends to every single detail. By the way you should see the movie "The Scarlet Pimpernel". It's pretty old but Ian Mckellan is in it (much younger) as Chauvelin. That is a great movie too, as it's very interesting to see a young McKellan in it.

[Elvish Hermit]

If you watch the fellowship with cast commentary (Extended version), in the scene when Frodo just wakes up and Sam runs in all worried about him, Sir Ian McKellen says something among the lines: "It was very touching when Sam grabbed Frodo's hand, just like Tolkein wrote it in the book. In fact a women wrote saying how important it was that Sam grabbed his hand. Being a homosexual myself I thought this was important too."

[Rynoah, the Overly-Happy]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>By the way you should see the movie "The Scarlet Pimpernel". It's pretty old but Ian Mckellan is in it (much younger) as Chauvelin. That is a great movie too, as it's very interesting to see a young McKellan in it.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>I almost choked when I saw him in that movie. He did a great job and all, but I had never seen him so young before. Quite a good movie, I agree.<P> <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Sir Ian McKellen says something among the lines: "It was very touching when Sam grabbed Frodo's hand, just like Tolkein wrote it in the book. In fact a women wrote saying how important it was that Sam grabbed his hand. Being a homosexual myself I thought this was important too."<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Actually, you're getting two actors' lines mixed up. It was Sean Astin who spoke of a girl who wrote to him telling him how grateful she was that Sam grabbed Frodo's hand in that scene. Sir Ian McKellan was the one who, after <I>reading the action in the book</I>, suggested that Sean grab Elijah's hand in that scene. He then went on to say how sometimes heterosexual actors don't pick up on the importance of such actions while homosexual ones do; that is why he suggested it to Astin and Wood.

(Some of you) have sick minds...I mean c'mon! I agree with so many others, that it was to make Gandalf appear older and weaker..and Legolas (xox) was the closest one to lean on. Another possiblity, was that Gandalf was holding Legolas back a bit...you now how Grrr... aggressive he can get-especially after gettin his weapon taken away!<BR>Another point...is there was a cr*p load of editin done on this film, and PJ wouldnt have left it in if it was unscripted and ahem...inappropriate. I dont think that at all, and McKellen is a pro- he wouldnt try to screw up even an itty-bitty part of such an amazing movie!

[Birdland]

Well, I understood perfectly why Gandalf was leaning on Legolas' arm in that scene. He wanted Theoden's guards to think that he was a harmless, frail old man. <P>I did, however, wonder about that scene in Helm's Deep when Aragorn slaps Legolas on the butt...OK! OK! JUST KIDDING!

[Naurwen_of_Lothlorien]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> I did, however, wonder about that scene in Helm's Deep when Aragorn slaps Legolas on the butt... <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> <BR>Hahaha!! *snorts* Sorry, but I could just imagine Legolas being all serious and then...<P>"Aragorn...what are you doing?"<P>But seriously, Ian McKellen's sexuality had, I beleive, nothing what so ever to do with him leaning on Legolas. I think that it was (as others have said) done to portray him as a weak old man. It kind of annoys me that just because a homosexual man touches another man (some) people automatically think "He must fancy him" or "It must be for his own 'fun'." <BR> Ian is a fantastic actor and I do not beleive he would do such a thing anyway, plus the fact that he is so much older than Orlando. Homosexuality, I should think, is the same as being heterosexual. I mean, we all have our own preferances. Me, for example...I like tall guys, whilst some girls like short guys etc. So it must be the same for homosexuals. They don't instantly fancy the first guy they see. I think people look into little things like Gandalf leaning on Legolas too seriously. It was done to make him look weaker, nothing more.<BR> Why can't people just enjoy the film and not take things so seriously?<P>Yours rantingly<BR> ~Naurwen

[Lucinda]

I personally like the idea that Gandalf was giving the appearance of being weak whilst sorta telling Legolas to calm down- maybe elves and wizards can do mind-to-mind speech?(hehe)