Music

Watch Willie Nelson's 'Hobbit 2' audition tape

by Tyler Munro

Willie Nelson turned 80 yesterday and did what any average senior would do: he dressed up like a wizard and pretended to audition for The Hobbit sequel. Of course it was a joke facilitated by Conan O’Brien for a skit on his talk show, but hell if we don’t commend the old bugger’s spirit in this one.

Watch as Nelson puts his own spin on some of Gandalf the Grey’s famous sayings, like:

– “You shall not pass… an unlit joint, man. That’s just not cool.”
– “Balrogs are assholes!”
– “Mama, don’t let your babies grow up to be Orcs”

“So that’s it, Peter. You can hire me and fire that Ian McKellen guy,” said Willie in his closing statement to director Peter Jackson. “He’s a good actor, but hell, I’m Willie Nelson.”

Ever the trooper, Ian McKellan’s responded in kind:

For what it’s worth, Willie Nelson is six years older than Sir Ian McKellen.