[Breaking News] Peter Jackson WILL Direct "The Hobbit" After All

Well, he was functionally immortal, and always chose the form of an old man upon his arrival in Middle Earth - about 2000 years before the LOTR. He was a Maia, a Demigod, who lived in the Undying Lands for millenia before his arrival in the mortal world.

This reconciliation between New Line and Jackson was inevitable, especially given the costly failure of Golden Compass. These people are all money whores, and they know there's a shitpile of money to be made off of fresh cinematic Tolkien.

Ian is best scifi actor there is he makes patrick stewart look l ike william shatner and kate mulgrew.

Gandalf can look however. It was never addressed in LOTR but Gandalf isn't a man at all, but one of the Maiar, which is something akin to an angel. He came out of the west near the beginning of the third age along with the other Istari, sent by the Valar to aid Middle Earth against Sauron. However, the Istari were forced to assume the guise of men, and were forbidden from exercising the full extent of their power.

That's the short version, but it explains why Gandalf was able to survive the fall in Moria, defeat the Balrog, and was returned from 'death'. The truth is that like the Eldar, the Maiar are really immortal, more spiritual beings. Gandalf (Olodrin) was 'sent back' to Middle Earth after perishing in his fight with the Balrog because the Valar wanted him to finish his task of aiding men against the Enemy.

So, in the Hobbit, they can really have Gandalf look however they need to. Doesn't make a whole lot of difference.

Being a fan of the LOTR movies, as well as the book it is based on, I'm really looking forward to seeing how this movie will be like.

Man, and I liked you!