Amazon's Lord Of The Rings: Fan-Casting Every (Possible) Major Role

Every band of characters benefits from a seasoned shepherd and Gandalf is no exception. James McAvoy spearheaded the X-Men as Professor X but would do wonders as Amazon's wise wizard.

Locating an actor who can step out of Ian McKellen's shadow will be a dauntless task. That said, the prequel isn't about copying the cinematic versions of the novels. McKellen did an outstanding job as a mature Gandalf but now the time has come for viewers to observe Gandalf as a budding leader and magician.

McAvoy thrilled audiences as Charles Xavier after Patrick Stewart made his mark in earlier movies, and there's no reason to believe that McAvoy can't duplicate the magic as Gandalf. He conveys the right amount of charm and warmth for a wizard who takes young hobbits under his wing. The prequel should develop the early stages of Gandalf's affection for the Shire residents.

Amazon's Gandalf must have the vitality to ward off the sorcerer's foes. A regular action flick star, McAvoy has the stamina to tossle with evildoers while expressing Gandalf's philosophical dialogue. He'd simply be fighting beside halflings instead of mutants.

In both Lord of the Rings and X-Men, close friends turn into enemies. Xavier and Magneto part ways while Saruman plots behind Gandalf's back. It's rewarding to see McAvoy as Xavier capture the emotional weight of his lost companionship with Magneto. He'd be just as adept at portraying Gandalf's complicated connection with Saruman.

Gandalf's staff would be in fine hands if held by the mutants' luminous leader McAvoy.