Ian McKellen, a veteran actor with a career spanning over six decades, continues to embrace new technology in his latest role, performing virtually in a New York play that uses mixed-reality glasses for its audience. Known for his iconic fantasy roles, this latest project highlights the actor’s willingness to innovate even at 86, demonstrating his ongoing relevance in the entertainment world while engaging fans of his work.
Throughout his extensive career, McKellen has become synonymous with major fantasy franchises, particularly through his portrayal of Gandalf in Peter Jackson’s legendary Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies. The British actor’s involvement also stretches beyond fantasy; he narrated the 2007 adaptations of Stardust, starring Robert De Niro and Clare Danes, and Philip Pullman’s The Golden Compass in the same year, further showcasing his versatility across varied genres.
Despite this broad range, McKellen has openly expressed his strong dislikes for certain film genres. In a recent interview with The Telegraph, he made clear which types of movies do not appeal to him.
Three Film Genres Ian McKellen Actively Avoids
McKellen identified cartoons, westerns, and horror films as genres he prefers to steer clear of. He explained that animated films tend to bore him, while westerns lack unpredictability, making their outcomes too obvious. Regarding horror movies, his feelings are mixed, as the genre either frightens him excessively or seems implausible and absurd.
“There are various film genres that I dislike. Cartoons bore the pants off me; I don’t like westerns because you can always work out what’s going to happen, and horror films either frighten me to death or are ridiculous”
— Ian McKellen, actor
Appreciation for Visual, Silent Comedy
On the other hand, McKellen expressed admiration for a specific style of comedy reflected in the 1953 French film Les Vacances de Monsieur Hulot. Appreciating its largely silent, visually driven humor, he said the film aligns well with his comedic tastes. He reminisced about his reverence for silent comedy legends like Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, and the duo Laurel and Hardy, whose work uses physicality to convey character and humor without relying heavily on dialogue.
“Monsieur Hulot’s Holiday suits my sense of humour. It’s virtually silent, and the jokes are so visual and tell you so much about people’s characters. My comic heroes are the silent ones, like Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin and Laurel and Hardy.”
— Ian McKellen, actor
Looking Ahead: McKellen’s Role in Upcoming Superhero Blockbuster
Despite his dislikes, McKellen remains a dynamic presence in today’s movie industry, preparing to reprise his role as Magneto in the highly anticipated Avengers: Doomsday. Directed by the Russo Brothers, the film promises to be an unprecedented superhero crossover, uniting the Avengers, the Thunderbolts, the Fantastic Four, and the X-Men in a single narrative due to release in December. Early footage hints at a reunion between Magneto and his longtime adversary Professor X, played by James McAvoy, and speculation surrounds Magneto’s potential confrontation with Doctor Doom, a new villain portrayed by Robert Downey Jr.
The remarkable scale of Doomsday is underscored by its production budget, rumored to reach $1 billion, positioning it as the most expensive film ever made. This monumental investment reflects the film’s ambition to break box office records and captivate audiences worldwide. Key cast members, including McKellen, are expected to receive lucrative pay packages reportedly ranging between $50 million and $80 million, covering this film and its follow-up, Secret Wars, slated for release in 2027.
The Significance of McKellen’s Enduring Career and Future Projects
Ian McKellen’s ongoing engagement with groundbreaking projects, ranging from early theatrical work to cutting-edge mixed-reality collaborations and blockbuster superhero films, underlines his adaptability and importance in modern cinema. His candidness about personal dislikes adds a distinctive perspective on his artistic choices and preferences. The anticipation surrounding his Magneto return fuels excitement for what could be a defining moment in superhero film history, cementing his legacy as an actor who continues to evolve and captivate.
