IAN MCKELLEN - MCKELLEN FEARS X-MEN SNUB

SIR IAN McKELLEN fears he won't be asked to resume his role as MAGNETO in the spin-off X-MEN movie about the comic book character - because he's too old.

McKellen played the evil scientist in X-Men, X2 and plans to reprise the role in X-MEN 3, but the new movie focuses on the early years of the villain, so the 66-year-old believes it's unlikely he'll be chosen for the part.

He explains, "I have heard of a story being developed. A Magneto spin-off would probably be about his early life and therefore might not need my participation. We'll see."