The first voice we hear in The Fellowship of the Ring is Galadriel (Cate Blanchett). Originally the prologue was to be narrated by Frodo (Elijah Wood), but since his character didn't really have much to do with the opening sequence it just didn't feel right. Gandalf (Ian McKellen) took over narration duties, actually recording a version of the prologue, but the producers still felt that this was the wrong character for the part. Finally, it was decided to let Galadriel narrate the prologue as this would emphasize the timelessness of the elves. Originally, New Line Cinema had insisted on limiting the prologue to two minutes; but in the final film, it lasts for seven and a half.