From Gandalf To Magneto: The Legendary Sir Ian McKellen!

From Gandalf To Magneto: The Legendary Sir Ian McKellen!

By Arlene R. Weiss © Copyright February 1, 2006

When mentioning one of this century’s most brilliant actors, Sir Ian McKellen instantly, always comes to mind.

Calling him a legend are not words said or taken lightly, but then this actor’s actor, has distinguished himself as a venerable, show stealing thespian on both the theatrical stage and of course, the silver screen.

However, although generations of cinema and theater goers as well as critics and acting peers, already know of Sir Ian’s sterling, dramatic talent and lengthy, astounding resume and body of work, an entire, new generation of young fans, have discovered Sir Ian and his amazing acting gifts, for his portrayal of two of the most classic characters in modern film history and popular culture.

Fans worldwide have come to know and love Sir Ian McKellen for his dazzling portrayal of the beloved Gandalf The Grey, in Director Peter Jackson’s “The Lord Of The Rings” film trilogy, and as Uber villain, Magneto, in the “X-Men” film franchise, now with the 3rd film in the series, “X-Men: The Last Stand” in production.

Bone up on all wonderful things, and learn more about Sir Ian McKellen….

…. WATCH coming attractions video movie trailers for his upcoming film releases,

…...“X-Men: The Last Stand”!!!!........and “The “Da Vinci Code”!!!!…..

Just by visiting Sir Ian McKellen’s own OFFICIAL WEBSITE at:

http://www.mckellen.com/

To show Sir Ian McKellen’s extraordinary, otherworldly talent, virtuosity, and range as an actor, is to simply watch him embrace and literally walk away with both film trilogies in these two roles, even taking over the silver screen from his other esteemed, award winning cast members in the two film trilogies, whenever he is on screen, playing what could not be two more completely polar opposite roles with equal magnificence.

Gandalf The Grey, is THE virtuous hero of all mythic heroes in “The Lord Of The Rings” film trilogy, based on the mammoth, beloved, classic work of literature by author J.R.R. Tolkien.

A Wizard endowed with magic powers that he could use to conquer the world and misuse for his own ends, he is, instead, the quintessential pillar of GOOD. This aging sage is imbued with wisdom, insight, compassion, light, friendship, camaraderie, loyalty, courage, understanding, faith, and hope, all which he uses solely to help fight injustice, empower and protect the innocent, and is willing to sacrifice his own life to battle evil wizard Saruman, the lackey for the all evil, all powerful Sauron, who is bent on world domination and the destruction of middle earth and mankind itself.

Befriending hobbits, elves, dwarves, and animals (including a majestic white stallion loyally serving as Gandalf’s steed once Gandalf becomes, Gandalf The White!), there can be no greater personification of virtue and all that CAN be good in humanity, by virtue of the very essence that McKellen inhabits in the soul of his character portrayal, becoming ONE, as and with Gandalf.

However, portraying evil is no stranger to McKellen. As Magneto, the former friend, turned nemesis of the virtuous Professor Charles Xavier in the “X-Men” film trilogy, Magneto is the embodiment of EVIL itself.

Twisted, wrought and fraught with hatred, anger, and intolerance for ALL human kind for the few humans who have persecuted Magneto and other mutants because of the physical and psychological differences that mutants possess that humans do not understand and therefore fear and are prejudiced against, he will stop at nothing to start the war to end all wars between mutants and humans, and to kill all human kind, even the just and innocent.

He is so blinded by his own dark inner demons and hate, to bring about this war to kill humanity, that he is willing to do so by any means necessary, even if those means include killing his fellow mutants who may stand in his way, being Xavier’s “X-Men”, who are mutants who believe that a mutual peace, understanding, and co-existence can exist between humans and mutants.

Magneto’s clouded judgment has caused him to nearly kill Rogue/Marie, and to battle with Wolverine/Logan, Professor Xavier, Dr. Jean Grey, Scott /Cyclops, Storm, and many more.

With “X-Men: The Last Stand” due for a blockbuster May 26, 2006 release, fans are already clamoring to see the ultimate battle and war that Magneto and his armies will bring about and engage, as the “X-Men” race to stop it and save mutants and mankind alike.

For you NEW fans of Sir Ian, here’s a little brushing up on his celestial credentials, long before you all came to revere him as both Gandalf and Magneto.

Sir Ian McKellen was nominated for an Academy Award for his portrayal of Gandalf and WON the Screen Actors Guild Award in the category of Best Supporting Actor in 2002, for the role! Way to go Sir Ian!

Sir Ian was granted a knighthood by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth The 2nd, of England, in 1989!

Sir Ian was awarded America’s highest honor in theater, the Tony Award, for his portrayal of a man that Magneto would LOVE as a partner in crime, the nefarious villain, Salieri, in the Broadway production of “Amadeus”!

Born, May 25, 1939 in Lancashire, England, Sir Ian began his decades long, illustrious acting career, in school plays and was already stealing the stage at a mere 13 years old, playing Malvolio in Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night”.

Sir Ian became enamored with the great thespians of his day including, the late, great Lord Laurence Olivier and Sir John Gielgud. He attended Cambridge University, and became an ardent young actor, working and studying in student theater, honing his acting chops.

Sir Ian graduated to working with the Belgrade Theater Company, the prestigious Royal Shakespeare Company and more!

Apparently, Sir Ian likes a bit of levity too, as he has appeared in several episodes of Britian’s campy Television Hit soap opera series, “Coronation Street”, as well as bestowing his more dramatic gifts in numerous, stellar TV series and Television films.

His esteemed list of roles and works reads on like a glittering who’s who from “A Man For All Seasons” to “And The Band Played On” to “Rasputin” to “Richard III”, to the upcoming also highly anticipated film adaptation of the best selling book and thriller, “The Da Vinci Code” starring alongside Tom Hanks and Jean Reno!

All we can say, is, we LOVE everything this noble knight does and you make every role you play, Sir Ian, your own, stamping it with your inimitable signature, and your brilliant presence that makes each and every role you portray, indelible in both cinema, and our hearts and minds.

Sir Ian, we are very much looking forward to “X-Men: The Last Stand” and “The Da Vinci Code”!

From Gandalf to Magneto, what a WONDROUS journey it has been for us, and we know for you too, as well as being a journey on which we are most assuredly happy to continue along with you, Sir Ian McKellen!

Source:
http://www.mckellen.com/

Muse News And Micro Muse February 1, 2006

By Arlene R. Weiss © Copyright February 1, 2006