Ian McKellen Says He Doesn’t Plan to Retire Anytime Soon: ‘Why Shouldn’t I Carry On?’

When it comes to his film career, Sir Ian McKellen doesn’t let up.

In an interview with Diversity about his new thriller Criticwhich will have its world premiere on Monday at the Toronto International Film Festival, the 84-year-old British actor said of retirement: “Retire to do what?”

“I’ve never been out of a job, but I’m aware that at any moment something could happen to me that could prevent me from ever working again,” said McKellen, who is known for his decades-long work in theater, television and films, including Lord of the Rings franchise, The X-Men movies, 2019 A good liar and more.

“But as long as the knees hold up and the memory remains intact, why not keep going? I really feel like I’m pretty good at this acting thing now,” he joked.

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From L: Ian McKellen enters The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003), X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) and A good liar (2019).

New Line/courtesy Everett Collection

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McKellen has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including a Golden Globe Award, a Tony Award, and six Olivier Awards. He has also earned two Academy Award nominations, five Emmy nominations and five BAFTA Award nominations.

As for how he views the projects he takes on, “each play or film stands on its own for me,” he said. “And every time I start with that terror of just ‘Here we go again, making the same mistakes.’ “

IN CriticMcKellen and Gemma Arterton star as adversaries in pre-World War II England who are “forced to take desperate measures to save their careers,” according to a TIFF synopsis that calls the film “a dazzling tale of ambition and deception in the world of theater.”

Directed by Anand Tucker (Saleswoman, Leap year), the thriller also stars Mark Strong, Ben Barnes, Alfred Enoch, Romola Garai and Lesley Manville.

Ian McKellen October 14, 1965 Don Smith/Radio Times via Getty Ian McKellen’s life in pictures

McKellen will also star on stage Frank and Percy at The Other Palace Theater in London from September 8 to December 3, and noted in his conversation with Diversity that the critic said in his review that the actor forgot his lines, after seeing an early preview of the series.

“Rather than realizing that this happens from time to time, this critic says that it was proof that it was time for Ian McKellen to stop acting,” said McKellen, who also said that at the time he was “insufficiently familiar with text”. performance.

“Maybe I should challenge this man to a podcast where we can discuss this,” he joked, before adding, “Maybe that’s not a smart thing to do.”

“It might just bring more attention to it. After all, I made peace with the critics a long time ago,” McKellen said.

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Source: HIS Education