In this interview, Sir Ian McKellen discusses his illustrious career, upcoming projects, and passion for live theater.
Key points from the interview include:
- Lord of the Rings and The Hunt for Gollum (1:17-6:22): McKellen reflects on his role as Gandalf, sharing anecdotes about filming and his relationship with the cast. He confirms his return as Gandalf in the upcoming film, The Hunt for Gollum, with filming set to begin in July in New Zealand.Ian McKellen joined Lord of the Rings without having read the books (2:15). He was approached for the role of Gandalf, but there was no script available, only a few design sketches for the scenery (2:20). He met director Peter Jackson and the rest of the cast for the first time at dinner in Wellington, New Zealand (2:51).
- Reprising Magneto in Avengers: Doomsday (7:27-9:00): He humorously describes filming a scene where Magneto destroys New Jersey, highlighting the challenges of acting against a green screen and the director's unique instructions.
- Broadway Debut and An Architect (9:15-12:20): McKellen recalls his first impressions of New York during his 1964 Broadway debut in The Promise. He then delves into his current project, An Architect, describing it as a "mixed reality play" that offers an immersive and intimate experience for the audience.
- Love for Live Theater (12:20-18:00): McKellen emphasizes his deep love for live theater, explaining the unique connection between performers and the audience. He shares a childhood memory of seeing Peter Pan and being fascinated by the magic backstage, which inspired him to pursue acting.
- Originating a Shakespearean Role (20:10-26:00): McKellen proudly shares that he is one of the only living actors to have originated a Shakespearean role. In 1964, he premiered the role of Thomas More in a play that Shakespeare himself contributed to, performing a monologue from the play that remains highly relevant today