Ian McKellen says the one-two punch of Gandalf and Magneto was 'timing'
Also learn which version of Gandalf the actor prefers playing
Are you a fan of Motion Captured?
Sign up to get the latest updates instantly.
Ian McKellen probably never expected the odd turn that his career has taken over the last fifteen years, but he seems to have embraced it with grace and gusto.
I'm sure if you'd told him before all of this that he would end up beloved by an audience of fantasy-loving comic-book-reading genre fans all over the world, he would have dismissed the idea as silly. Even when he appeared in "Gods and Monsters," the sensational James Whale biopic by Bill Condon, he probably never expected the particular way that his audience would expand.
Now here we are, sitting down with him to discuss his return to Middle Earth, and I love that he sees a distinct difference between playing Gandalf the White and Gandalf the Grey. Like McKellen, I prefer Gandalf the Grey, and one of the nicest things about "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" is getting my favorite version of my favorite wizard back in action. He brings such warmth and humor to the part that it was sad to see him changed into more of an action hero on the final film.
He doesn't seem quite as sure of his return to the world of "X-Men" as Bryan Singer was recently when tweeting about it. Singer said flat out that both Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen were signed, but my conversation with McKellen made it sound like something that they would like to see happen, but that is by no means a done deal.
I love the way he seems very matter-of-fact about the odd collision of timing and events and availability that led to him becoming both Magneto and Gandalf in the space of a very short time. And while we chatted for a moment after the cameras were turned off, I told him that more than anything else, I want to see him work with Condon again.
"Then I shall tell you, since you asked, that Bill and I have spoken, and we will be working together again." I'm not sure if that's for the Wikileaks film that Condon is set to make next or if it's for something else, but that is genuinely exciting news.
"The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" will be in theaters this Friday.
News From Our Partners
-
The Telefile - The Most Heinous Person on Reality TV This Week
The Telefile - Does Someone Have to Go?: Work Sucks.... If You Are On This Show
The Telefile - Save Me: Lightning Strikes NBC
-
Hear This: “Second Best” reflects a pivotal moment all serious bands face
Watch This: The wages and the fear remain high in William Friedkin’s Sorcerer
Cannes Film Festival: Cannes 2013, Day Nine: James Gray and Joaquin Phoenix reteam for a compelling period drama
-
What To Watch This Memorial Day Weekend
Is The New 'Bachelorette' Engaged?
Tavis Smiley Marks 10th Year On PBS
-
'Fast & Furious 6': The Reviews Are In!
'Return Of The Jedi' Turns 30: Secrets Of Ewok Language Revealed!
'Fast & Furious 6' Expected To Lap 'Hangover III' At Box Office
-
The CW's 'Cult' Returns from Cancellation June 28
'White House Down' Featurette: Roland Emmerich Revists White House-Based Mayhem
Jimmy Fallon Goes 'Game of Thrones' For 'Late Night's "Game of Desks"
-
What to Watch This Weekend: Orphan Black, Behind the Candelabra, and Arrested Development's Netflix Debut
Do These Four New Arrested Development Clips Get You Excited for the Show's Return? (VIDEO)
Arrested Development Q&A: Alia Shawkat on Maeby, the Return of the Show, and the Canonization of Mitch Hurwitz
-
Weekly Ketchup: Fox and Marvel Both Courting Quicksilver for Comic Blockbusters
Critics Consensus: Fast & Furious 6 is Certified Fresh
Red Carpet Photos with Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Gina Carano and More
-
Would You Rather… Hang Backstage with One Direction or the Jonas Brothers?
Watch Kesha Perform 'Machine Gun Love' Live
See Pictures of Your Favorite Celebrity Couples Now + Then
Get Instant Alerts on Motion/Captured
Latest Posts
-
How long until they discuss another film in this series?Friday, May 24, 2013
-
They can both use the same character, but will it be worth it?Thursday, May 23, 2013
-
Our conversation was an afternoon delightThursday, May 23, 2013
-
One of the emotional lynchpins of the series discusses the newest filmWednesday, May 22, 2013


Comments
Option 1
Comment instantly as a guest GuestOption 2
Option 3
Login or create a HitFix account Login Signupfilmboy
December 14, 2012 at 3:22PM EST Reply to CommentIt will be great to see him back in both roles if it works out. One of my favorite actors working out there today.