The Hobbit opening weekend: Ian McKellen hosts Twitter #AskGandalf Q&A

The venerated actor, who stars as Gandalf the Grey in The Hobbit, hosts a question and answer session on Twitter. We'll have the highlights.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey opens Thursday and is the first of three installments.

I will do live Twitter interview tomorrow 1pm PST/4pm EST! Follow @thehobbitmovie, send your questions now using hashtag #AskGandalf!
— Ian McKellen (@IanMcKellen) December 5, 2012

30 minutes until our live Twitter Q&A with #TheHobbit's Sir @ianmckellen! Send in your questions using #AskGandalf!
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

“@thehobbitmovie: Sir @ianmckellen is running a bit late. He should be with us in about 20 min! #AskGandalf."A WIZARD IS NEVER LATE!!
— Mikey Thomson (@Mianmath83) December 5, 2012

We're here with Sir @ianmckellen, and he's ready to take on your questions! #AskGandalf #TheHobbit
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

RT @amysupfan: #askgandalf What was it like donning Gandalf's robe again for The Hobbit?
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

It was like coming home.
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

After too long away.
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

RT @paulynvdc: How was working with Mr. Martin Freeman? #AskGandalf
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

I'm a total fan. And have been ever since The Office. He's brilliant on stage too. Seriously - I asked him for acting lessons.
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

RT @ruck_it_turner: @thehobbitmovie #AskGandalf what his favorite scene is in #TheHobbit and #LOTR
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

The scene with Galadriel in Rivendell.A chance to get to know Cate Blanchett and gaze into that beautiful face all day long.
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— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

RT @shhhhgrogs: Sir Ian, is there anything special that you kept, like Gandalf's staff or hat, either from the Hobbit or LOTR? #AskGandalf
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

I was given Gandalf's hat by Peter Jackson. And his staff. And I already had Glamdring, which I keep with a couple of umbrellas and
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

the sticks that Leigh Teabing used in the Da Vinci Code. And if you wonder why you don't see the big keys to Bag End in #TheHobbit, it's b/c
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

they're hanging up on my terrace overlooking the Thames in London.
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

RT @captaincho: #AskGandalf Sir Ian, what trait most resembles or connects you to Gandalf?
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

Is it the smoking? Is it the drinking? Is it being bossy? No. It's having a good laugh.
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

RT @kevinttalbott: @thehobbitmovie #AskGandalf Who was the "favourite dwarf" you mentioned during the premiere?
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

Frankly, I'm still making up my mind...
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

RT @mczedmalik: @ianmckellen @thehobbitmovie in a battle between you and dumbledore, who do you think would win? #askgandalf
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

The original wizard, of course. The one JK Rowling based the headmaster on.
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

RT @allan_isumi: Have you ever said some quote of Gandalf in your routine day, Sr Ian? #AskGandalf
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

Visiting schools, I have warned students that if they don't revise hard for their exams: "You shall not pass!"
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

RT @philbonjbaggins: @thehobbitmovie Sir Ian, can you, or can you not, name all of the 13 dwarves? I'll be impressed if you succeed!
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

I can name them all. It helps that some of them rhyme.
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

RT @chattypatra: #AskGandalf Aside from LOTR & The Hobbit, what is your favorite book, Sir Ian? My friend Yvonne from Germany wants to know.
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

Thinking of books that appeal to youngsters and remain favorites throughout life, what about "The Wind in the Willows" by Kenneth Grahame?
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

RT @gilbertlowe: @thehobbitmovie @ianmckellen I don't have a dad. I always wanted my dad 2 b a wizard. Will u b my dad? R u my dad? #iloveu
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

I used to have hair like yours, so who knows...
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

You should ask your mum.
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

RT @stevethenoob77: #AskGandalf If you were able to choose a character to play as (besides Gandalf) who would you be?
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— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

Oh, way back I would have loved to play Bilbo. He goes on such a worthwhile journey from self-absorption to self-awareness.
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

RT @trollinggnome: @thehobbitmovie #AskGandalf DO YOU LIKE BACON GANDALF?
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

Yes, indeedy-indeedy. Crisp and salty.
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

RT @sabeanietralala: @thehobbitmovie #AskGandalf What's your favorite colour?
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

I'm a bit colorblind, so anything bright suits me. Maybe yellow, gold, sunny.
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

RT @hugohustler: @thehobbitmovie #AskGandalf Does the beard tickle?
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

It does a bit.
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

RT @xindea: What is your favourite place in the world (if you're not allowed to pick a place in either New Zealand or Great Britain)?
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

Venice, Italy.
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

RT @theshedobear: @thehobbitmovie @ianmckellen #AskGandalf If you could use Gandalf's magic for ONE thing, what would it be?
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

To outlaw violence as a way of solving disagreement.
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

My father was a pacifist, and, so I suppose, am I.
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

RT @ianmkelley: @thehobbitmovie What was your favorite location to shoot in?? #AskGandalf
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

Near the tiny settlement called Paradise in the South Island of New Zealand. But I've just remembered the valley where the
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

Golden Hall of Edoras was built for Lord of the RIngs.
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

RT @jonathonbeggs: @thehobbitmovie Would you ever go on Im a celebrity, get me out of here? #askgandalf
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

No, absolutely not.
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

RT @nicholassiegel: What is your favorite Shakespeare play? #AskGandalf
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

Out of the comedies, Twelfth Night. Out of the tragedies - all of them.
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

RT @noemiplatania: @thehobbitmovieAre there any actors and actresses you would like to work with in the future? #askgandalf
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

I'm still hoping to meet Dustin Hoffman on screen. Or Meryl Streep again.
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

RT @audreegilchrest: @thehobbitmovie #askgandalf do you like @onedirection
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

Do you like One Direction? Who doesn't? I saw them on stage in New Zealand.
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

But I'd like to put in a word for Union J - they're coming to the London premiere for The Hobbit.
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

OMG we're trending! #AskGandalf
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

RT @jake_shapiro:In the future when watching all 6 Tolkien-based films in a row, which trilogy should I watch first? #AskGandalf
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

Start chronologically.
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

RT @darth_martus: Do you have a favourite Greek tragedian? #AskGandalf
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

If you mean plays, The Bacchae.
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

RT @abbiandrews: @thehobbitmovie #AskGandalf what's the best way to poach an egg?
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

With care.
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

I crack the egg first into a saucer, then slide it into the simmering water with a dash of vinegar.
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

That stops the white from running.
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

RT @bobagg66: @thehobbitmovie #AskGandalf who fluffed most lines during filming?
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— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

My least favorite dwarf.
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

RT @victoriathedeer: @thehobbitmovie #AskGandalf Do you have a favorite musical?
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

Probably "Company."
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

By Stephen Sondheim.
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

RT @onehottweet: @thehobbitmovie Best place to hide your pipe weed? #AskGandalf
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

In the fridge.
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012

I'm going to see Lee Pace (Thranduil) in the new Kevin McNally play, so we'll have to postpone more questions for another time. One last one
— The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) December 5, 2012