Ian Mckellen Page 5

Fans of both Harry Potter and Ian McKellen will be aggrieved to learn that the actor was actually considered for the role of Professor Dumbledore following the death of Richard Harris, but he turned it down because the latter didn't like him very much.

Ian McKellen waves at 'Beauty and the Beast' premiere

Despite the fact that we can't understand why anyone wouldn't adore Sir Ian McKellen, it seems that his late contemporary Richard Harris wasn't his biggest fan. In an interview on the BBC program 'HARDtalk', he spoke about the situation in front of an audience at the BBC Radio Theatre.

Continue reading: Why Did Ian McKellen Decline The Invitation To Play Dumbledore?

The placard held by actor Ian McKellen as he joined the Women’s March in London has been declared the best sign of the day by the internet.

The sign featured a picture of McKellen’s pal Patrick Stewart as ‘Star Trek’s’ Captain Picard facepalming, and pretty much summed up many people’s feelings of frustration and anger towards the Trump presidency.

Continue reading: Ian McKellen's Sign At The Women's March In London Was The Best

It’s been quite the 48 hours for British singer Sam Smith. First he performed Bond theme ‘Writings on the Wall’ at the Oscars, then he took home the best original song award. But his big moment was quickly overshadowed by his speech, in which he mistakenly said he was the first openly gay Oscar winner. Then there was 2009 Oscar winner Dustin Lance Black, who called out the singer on twitter and accused him of texting his fiancé Tom Daley.

Sam Smith has apologised to Dustin Lance Black after his Oscars mix-up.

After Smith’s speech Black tweeted, ‘Hey @SamSmithWorld, if you have no idea who I am, it may be time to stop texting my fiancé.’ Backstage at the awards, Smith was told of his mistake and said: “Shit! Fuck that! Two’s my lucky number, so it’s all good. Who was the other person?”

Continue reading: Sam Smith Apologises To Dustin Lance Black After Oscars Faux Pas

Sir Ian McKellen is to become a bus tour guide – not for a new film, but in real life, as he is set to boost public tours of London locations seen in the film in which he portrayed Richard III more than two decades ago.

The 76 year old actor, a legend of both screen and stage, has agreed to host the guided tours as part of the British Film Institute’s Shakespeare film season, for which he is the ambassador.

Set in an alternative fascist version of 1930s England, McKellen portrayed the English king in the 1995 film Richard III, directed by Richard Loncraine. Speaking to reporters at the BFI on Monday (January 25th), he said that he always thought a bus tour of the locations seen in the movie “might be fun” and was pleased that he had the opportunity to realise it.

Continue reading: Sir Ian McKellen To Become A London Bus Tour Guide

Neill Blomkamp's new film Chappie held its world premiere this week in New York, just a day before before it opened around the world. Blomkamp (who previously made District 9 and Elysium) was present along with stars Hugh Jackman, Sigourney Weaver, Sharlto Copley and Dev Patel.

Photos - World film premiere of 'Chappie' at AMC Loews Lincoln Square - NYC

Continue reading: A Week In Movies: Chappie And Cinderella Premiere In New York And L.A., Ethan Hawke Is Snapped On-Set, And New Trailers Arrive For Movies Starring Veterans Ian Mckellen, Ben Kingsley And Maggie Smith.

Two long years since the first instalment of the Hobbit trilogy whet audiences’ appetites with dwarfs, wizards, dragons, fighting and, of course, a hobbit, the concluding cinematic experience has finally arrived.

Sir Ian McKellen takes on the role of Gandalf for the final time

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies hits cinema screens tonight and so does everyone’s favourite wizard, Gandalf the Grey.

Continue reading: Sir Ian McKellen Talks Gandalf As The Final Hobbit Is Released

A new trailer for Peter Jackson's The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies has rolled out online at the end of the big week of hype for cinema. Christopher Nolan's Interstellar is doing huge business across the globe, while Disney announced the official title for Star Wars Episode VII, The Force Awakens, whilst confirming that Toy Story 4 is happening in 2017.

Benedict Cumberbatch's Smaug is causing havov in 'The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies'

So spare a thought for Lord of the Rings fans who are still busy sinking their teeth into a new trailer for the final instalment in the Hobbit adventure. We're now just six weeks from the global release on December 17, 2014 and the initial trailer released in July was heralded as one of the best teasers of the year. As Forbes put it, it evoked the "gloom and doom of the Return of the King teaser, eleven years ago."

Continue reading: 'The Hobbit: Battle Of The Five Armies' Trailer Is The Best Middle Earth Teaser Yet

Twentieth Century Fox has debuted a new poster for the upcoming comic book adaptation sequel, X-Men Days of Future Past. The dramatic new image features Ellen Page, Shawn Ashmore, Daniel Cudmore, and Fan Bingbing alongside all the franchise's main characters.

It's Dark Times For The X-Men In 'Days Of Future Past.'

Jennifer Lawrence, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy, Halle Berry, Nicholas Hoult, and Peter Dinklage all star in the action epic, which is due for release in May.

Continue reading: New 'X-Men: Days Of Future Past' Poster Released: Are You Excited Yet? [Trailer]

There’s a generation out there who have been practically weened on Harry Potter. The books and the films have become a religion for devout fans of the series, but would it have been the same if different actors had been cast in the leading roles? You may be surprised to hear that before the perfect cast was set in stone, there were some strange alternate actors vying for the parts!

Ian McKellen turned down the role of Dumbledore

Sir. Ian McKellen was once thought in the running to play Hogwarts’ headmaster, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. He was, in fact, offered the role after original Dumbledore actor, Richard Harris, passed away just after filming the first Harry Potter film. However, Sir. Ian turned down the role, citing the reason that Richard Harris had once publicly declared what a dreadful actor he thought McKellen was! Eventually, Michael Gambon took on the role and the rest is Harry Potter history.

Continue reading: What Would 'Harry Potter' Have Been Like With This Alternative Cast?

Russia's anti-gay laws are not sitting well with some of the brightest minds in the world.

27 Nobel laureates have joined British actor Sir Ian McKellen in writing an open letter to President Vladimir Putin to voice their protest of Russia's anti-gay legislation.

The new law objects any "propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations to minors."

Continue reading: Sir Ian McKellen Joins 27 Nobel Laureates In Open Letter To President Vladimir Putin Protesting Russia's Anti-Gay Law

Damian Lewis has been compelled to apologise to fellow actor Ian McKellen after comments he made saying he did not want to end up a "fruity actor" who is known for playing wizards.

Damian Lewis Has Apologised After His "Fruity Actor" Comments.

Though the Homeland actor did not name names in the interview, he claims to have contacted McKellen to apologise personally after the comments were linked to the Lord of the Rings actor. Lewis, 42, issued a statement saying "I am hugely embarrassed that comments of mine have been linked in a negative way to Sir Ian McKellen. I have always been, and continue to be, an enormous fan and admirer of Sir Ian's.

Continue reading: Damian Lewis Apologises To Ian McKellen For Fruity Wizard Comments

Sir Ian McKellen was told by the Foreign Office not to visit Russia over concerns that he may be subjected to scrutiny due to their anti-homosexuality laws.

The country, which is ruled over by President Vladimir Putin, recently passed a law banning 'propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations among minors' - in other words, despite the fact that homosexuality is entirely legal, shouting about it will land you with a hefty fine or even jail time. For this reason, 'The Hobbit' star has revealed to the Radio Times magazine that he has been advised against journeying to the country. 

"Imagine trying to be a gay actor, a gay anything in modern Russia?" he said. "Where to be positively oneself, to be affectionate in public with someone you love of the same gender, or to talk of that love in the hearing of anyone under 18, will put you in prison? That's why I can't go to Russia."

Continue reading: Ian McKellen Warned Not To Visit Russia Over Gay Propaganda Laws

With the release of Thor: The Dark World in the U.S. this week, we thought we'd take a look back into Marvel's movie history and put together a list of its Top 10 finest moments. Ok so a couple of the movies weren't actually made by the studio, but all feature characters from the Marvel comics. 

The Thor sequel pulled in $8.7 million over its debut weekend in the UK - more than four times the amount that it's nearest rival grossed - and with Ender's Game the vulnerable reigning champion of the stateside box-office, things are looking good for Tom Hiddleston, Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman this weekend. Read our Thor 2 review here.

So, relax, grab yourself a cool drink and mull over our list of the Top 10 Marvel movies. Do you agree?

Continue reading: Did 'Thor 2' Make Our Top 10 Best Marvel Movies?

Game over. Go home all you Walter Whites, all you Miley Cyrus's. The game is up. Patrick Stewart's Lobster costume for Halloween is the best celebrity outfit for 2013. 

Happy Halloween. pic.twitter.com/ugLBMzAeNF

— Patrick Stewart (@SirPatStew) October 31, 2013

Continue reading: Patrick Stewart's Lobster Halloween Costume Is THE BEST Of 2013

In news that will hopefully make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, Sir Patrick Stewart has just gotten married – in a ball pit, if the picture he tweeted along with the brief announcement is anything to go by.

Yes, married. pic.twitter.com/ZSMnpluSeL

— Patrick Stewart (@SirPatStew) September 8, 2013

Continue reading: "Yes, Married." Sir Patrick Stewart Ties The Knot With Sir Ian McKellan As The Minister

Sir Patrick Stewart has once again become a married man, and the lucky woman this time is Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Sunny Ozell, his girlfriend over over five years. According to a source who first spoke to Us Weekly, the actor and his new wife made things official on Sunday, 8 September, with Sir Pat further confirming the news through a picture of the couple uploaded on to his Twitter page.

We hope that Patrick and Sunny have a joyful matrimony

The couple, who got engaged in March, kept the wedding proceedings a secret from the press until the day, ensuring they didn't mention the special day in public until after the ceremony had taken place. Recreating his brilliant Twitter profile picture, Sir Patrick and Sunny posed in a multi-coloured ball pool for a different kind of wedding photo on Sunday (8 Sept.) along with the caption: "Yes, married."

Continue reading: Sir Patrick Stewart And Girlfriend Sunny Ozell Married, And Get Sir Ian McKellen To "Make It So"

The Wolverine currently stands at the top of the US Box Office, mirroring this success in around 100 other countries across the globe, but despite this successful audience turn-around, not everyone stuck around to see the sneak peak at the next X Men film. The scene, which comes after the end credits, may have blindsided a number of cinema-goers, who missed out on the pretty epic scene.

Jackman is back as Wolverine

The scene is set two years after Logan's run in with Viper and his ninja army in Japan and sees Wolverine stood in line for an airport metal detector. He looks up to a wall-mounted television, playing an advertisement for Trask Industries (the company responsible for launching the mutant-hunting Sentinels in next summer's X-Men: Days of Future Past), before being ushered through the metal detector, which obviously goes off and Logan has to be patted down (how many people wanted that job?!) by a security guard. During his pat down, he notices a familiar scene; coins and other loose metal objects shaking furiously around him, meaning only one thing.

Continue reading: Did You Catch The Wolverine Easter Egg? Film Hints At Future X Men Movie In Post-Credits Scene

Marvel dominated the San Diego Comic-Con with their X-Men and Avenger's panels. DC's Superman announced the 2015 sequel to Man of Steel, starring Henry Cavill, would feature Batman.

Henry Cavill at the New York premiere of Superman: Man of Steel.

The X-Men panel certainly had the most impressive cast turnout. Actors from across the X-Men films appeared to promote X-Men: Days of Future Past, which is due to be released in 2014. Ian McKellan flirted with the younger reincarnation of his character Magneto, Michael Fassbender, commenting on Proposition 8, he said "It's great to be back in California, I feel safe here now." He continued by announcing "I'm looking for a husband", cheekily adding "it's great to meet you Michael". 

Continue reading: San Diego Comic-Con 2013 Highlights: Marvel Dominated With X-Men And Avengers

The X-Men cast and crew appeared at the San Diego Comic-Con on Saturday. The huge cast for the upcoming movie X-Men: Days of Future Past appeared in Hall-H and was greeted with an overwhelmingly positive response from fans.

X-Men stars Ian McKellan and Patrick Stewart at the Variety Club Showbiz Awards held at the Grosvenor House, London.

The next film will see the cast doubled (quite literally) as the mutant superheroes have to travel in time to change an event which will, if not prevented, destroy mankind. The cast appeared en masse: each taking a few moments to address the audience or in Ian McKellan's case to flirt with Michael Fassbender.

Continue reading: X-Men Steals The Show At San Diego Comic Con 2013

Orlando Bloom said goodbye to Legolas recently and now, it’s time for Martin Freeman to take off the Bilbo Baggins coat. The actor wrapped his scenes for The Hobbit trilogy today and naturally, filmmaker Peter Jackson had to share the bittersweet moment with LoTR/Hobbit fans on his Facebook page.

It's a bittersweet goodbye as Martin Freeman completes his unexpected journey.

Tonight Martin Freeman finished his last shot as Bilbo Baggins. The end of an incredible two and a half years. I cannot imagine anyone else in this role - a character that Martin has nurtured and crafted with love and great skill.”

Continue reading: Peter Jackson Salutes Martin Freeman In Honor Of The Actor Wrapping His Scenes For The Hobbit Trilogy

The BBC has dropped Ben Elton's sitcom The Wright Way. The sitcom ended in May 2013 and the BBC announced yesterday (Wednesday 10th July) that it would not be renewing the comedy for a second series.

Ben Elton at the 2010 Laurence Olivier Awards. 

Independent critic Tom Sutcliffe described the sitcom as "groan-inducing". The sitcom was set around a health and safety department of a local council in which social stereotypes were actively encouraged but seemed cliché and "old fashioned" (according to Daily Mail reviewer Christopher Stevens).

Continue reading: BBC Cancels Ben Elton's Sitcom 'The Wright Way'

As filming for The Hobbit trilogy comes to an end, the franchise says goodbye to some of its most loved characters. The time has come for Legolas and Gandalf to put down their bow and staff respectively, as the actors that portray them leave behind a loved series.

Here's McKellen enjoying a smoke and some lines

Expected to feature heavily, as he did in The Lord Of The Rings, Orlando Bloom’s Legolas will enjoy his last outings in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, which is expected to hit cinemas this December, and the last film The Hobbit: There and Back Again.

Continue reading: Orlando Bloom And Sir Ian McKellen Are Legolas And Gandalf For The Last Time

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Trailer is finally here, and with it, the first look at Benedict Cumberbatch's big scaly fire breathing dragon. The British actor voices Smaug in the second of Peter Jackson's trilogy, which appears for a couple of seconds at the end of the new trailer - however, we still haven't heard the beast's voice and really hope he utters something in the actual movie, or it could be a miserable pay-packet for our Benedict.

Martin Freeman as the Hobbit Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug

Mainly, it's the old characters that have been called upon to hype the latest film, with the dwarves playing a prominent role in the trailer and Bilbo looking a bit bewildered as usual. However, we are treated to the return of Orlando Bloom's Legolas - who literally slides into the trilogy - and Luke Evans' Bard the Bowman. The latter had a minor role in the previous film though is believed to be crucial to The Desolation of Smaug and There And Back Again. According to Yahoo Moves, the Bowman is tasked with stopping the terrifying dragon after warning the dwarves, "If you awaken that beast you will destroy us all."

Continue reading: The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug Trailer: Here's Benedict Cumberbatch! [Trailers And Pictures]

Following last Christmas' first instalment that kicked off the trilogy, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, the new episode of adventures in Middle Earth will take Gandalf (Ian McKellen), Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) and the band of aggrieved-yet-upbeat dwarves further into their quest to reclaim the Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor; stolen from them by the evil dragon, Smaug (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch).

Now, Bilbo has gained The One Ring after his life-changing meeting with the wretched Gollum (Andy Serkis) and the brave group have escaped the Goblin Kingdom to start the next leg of their quest to reclaim their kingdom and riches from Smaug, travelling through the Misty Mountains.

Based on the novel that preceded J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Hobbit was one book that has been turned into three films. Sure, this is probably to rake in maximum profits, but at least three 3 hour films will allow Jackson to deliver close interpretations and stretch out the franchise for another few years.

Continue reading: The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug Trailer - First Look

In New York, Leonardo Dicaprio, Jamie Foxx, Samuel L. Jackson, Don Johnson and a bald-shaven Christoph Waltz attended the premiere of Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained, joking with the photographers as they posed for them. And Tarantino even turned up with his Kill Bill star Uma Thurman on his arm.

Meanwhile in London, the first part in Peter Jackson's new trilogy, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, had its royal film performance this week with much of the cast in attendance, including Martin Freeman, Cate Blanchett and Ian McKellen, who watched the film alongside Prince William. The film is in cinemas now, with the following chapters scheduled for next Christmas and the summer of 2014.

Continue reading: A Week In Movies Feat: Tarantino's Django Unchained, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey And Tom Cruise's Jack Reacher All Premier

Sir Ian McKellan has been enjoying some serious longevity with his career. It began on stage in 1959, and now more than 50 years later he is one of the most famous and beloved actors in the English speaking world. He's best known for his role as Gandalf, which for many Shakespearean actors may seem to be a sell-out, but for Ian McKellan, as he told Vanity Fair, he's more than proud of his involvement with Lord of the Rings. 

"I don't find anything odd at all in being known for playing Gandalf." He said, "I couldn't be happier about it. Other people tend to get snobbish on my behalf. 'It must be dreadful to always be thought of as Gandalf,' they say. Well, I can't always be thought of as Richard III!" Adding, that though he's not a snob about content, "[He's] a snob about standards."

Another colleague captured in a very similar bracket as him as Michael Gambon who has also found increased fame playing a Wizard in recent years, as Dumbledore in the Harry Potter movies. Apparently, they both get mistaken for each other "all the time!" So, how do they combat the confusion? For Gambon, he simply signs McKellan's name, perhaps so as not to cause disappointment, or more likely, to avoid the hassle of explanation. Well, being mistaken for either one of them is an enormous compliment in regard to talent! 

Continue reading: Sir Ian McKellan On Snobbery And Standards

Sir Ian McKellen is going to be teaming up with fellow stalwart actor Sir Derek Jacobi to play a bickering gay couple in a new sitcom going out on British network ITV. According to the BBC, the show Vicious has been created by Will and Grace writer Gary Janetti and award-winning playwright Mark Ravenhill. In addition to the two gay actors, the show will feature Rising Damp actress Frances de la Tour as their best friend.

The plot will focus, though, on McKellen and Jacobi’s characters, with the pair having lived together for 50 years. The catalyst for the change in the couple’s equilibrium will come with the addition of a third, younger man, Ash, who moves in upstairs.

Janetti’s pedigree also extends to work on the US animated series Family Guy, but he confessed that he was “incredibly excited” to be involved in this new project – scheduled to air next year. ITV’s commissioning comedy editor Myfanwy Moore meanwhile added that he was "thrilled this exciting and bold sitcom, with stellar performers and writing talent is to join the increasing slate of new look comedy shows on the channel". All eyes are currently on McKellen as fans eagerly await the first of the three Hobbit films, out in cinemas in December.

Legendary thespian and film star, Sir Ian McKellen, came under fire from the late Richard Harris several years ago when he landed the role of the wise but mischievous Gandalf in 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy. McKellen claims that Harris was furious for not being cast in Peter Jackson's fantasy epic, and this was exacerbated by McKellen being chosen over him.

Related: Sir Ian McKellen Inspires Bristol Students With Famous Gandalf Line

Harris reportedly exploded at the rumour that McKellen would then take the role of Dumbledore as well in 2002 when Harris' health steadily began to fail. The actor explained: "Before Richard Harris died, there was an enquiry: would I be interested in playing in Harry Potter? And I said, 'Yes, certainly'. But I've not heard anything since."

Continue reading: Gandalf Vs Dumbledore - Sir Ian Mckellen Discusses Disagreement With Richard Harris