Ian McKellen has emerged as a prominent figure in Avengers: Doomsday, with surprising comments about cinema, which he once considered as one of the least respectable forms of entertainment.
Tl;dr
- Ian McKellen preferred theatre over cinema in his youth.
- He criticized film direction as “insulting”.
- He has since become a global cinema icon.
A beginning marked by theatre
For many cinema enthusiasts in the 1990s, their first encounter with Ian McKellen often came through his masterful portrayal of Richard III under the direction of Richard Loncraine. But behind this memorable role was an actor whose career was firmly rooted in stage. Since the 1960s, Ian McKellen has been a major figure in British theater, particularly with his interpretation of Richard II at the Prospect Theatre Company. On stage, he captivates with bold performances and a rare ability to embody complex roles.
Cinema: between reluctance and international breakthrough
Ironically, the actor’s transition to the big screen was not without reservations. Before being celebrated for his iconic roles in X-Men and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, McKellen expressed skepticism towards cinema. In 1991, he bluntly stated in Cable Guide magazine, “Films are absolutely the worst of all. The actor is never told anything. It is so insulting, so rude, and so despicable.” For him, cinema relegated actors to a secondary and technical position, far from the creative freedom offered by theatre.
From one art form to another: evolution of a career
Despite his critical views, Ian McKellen appeared in some films from the late 1960s onwards, such as “A Touch of Love,” and sporadically in the following decades (“The Keep,” “Plenty,” “Scandal”). However, it was with the rise of Hollywood blockbusters that his fame reached a global scale. Fans especially remember:
- Portrayal of Erik “Magneto” Lehnsherr in “X-Men.”
- Transformation into Gandalf in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy.
The irony of fate for a star actor
In a biting irony, while some critics claimed thirty years ago that his greatest roles would remain confined to the stage (“for the best in drama, try a knight in the theatre”), it is now in front of cameras that he is revered worldwide. Now sought after to reprise his iconic characters in future blockbusters like “Avengers: Doomsday” or the new installment of “The Lord of the Rings,” McKellen embodies this fascinating journey between initial mistrust and universal cinematic glory.
