Ian McKellen plays the great wizard Gandalf, Gandalf plays a very important part in the film. He is on the side of good where as saruam the white has turned evil. Gandalf is known as a trouble maker in the shire after he and Bilbo met and Bilbo suddenly striving for an adventurous life. In the first film gandalf sacrifices himself to kill the Balrog demon and when the fellowship feel that they have failed there is hope again when Gandalf returns even more powerful as the white wizard. He is both wise and faithful in the film and brings a great deal of hope when he is around!!