Ian McKellen BROKE DOWN and cried on the Hobbit set

Filming the Bag End scenes in The Hobbit was particularly challenging for Ian McKellen due to the use of a new filming system that required two different sets. As a result, McKellen never actually acted alongside other actors during these scenes, relying instead on audio cues and markers to simulate their presence. This unconventional method was a significant struggle for McKellen, who is accustomed to traditional acting. The experience was so distressing that he initially considered quitting the film. The crew, sympathetic to his situation, tried to support and uplift him during the process.