EXCLUSIVE: Ian McKellen returns to mutant world

Sir Ian McKellen as Erik Lehnsherr/Megneto on ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’

It has been years since Sir Ian McKellen has been a mutant – or has played one, at least.

While fans of the highly successful “X-Men” film franchise have been introduced to a host of other cast members, most of whom play the younger selves of established characters, the X-Men universe is still pretty much out to mess with the heads of its followers by throwing everyone in the mix in the upcoming “X-Men: Days of Future Past.”

Here, McKellen returns as Erik Lehnsherr (on his bad days known as Magneto) and hobnobs with his handsome young self, played by Michael Fassbender. The older Magneto, of course, is just as handsome and, in fact, more commanding; but considering that this old friend and bitterest nemesis Professor X (Patrick Stewart) has also teamed up with his devilishly good-looking younger incarnation, Charles Xavier (James McAvoy), all things measure up evenly.

McKellen as Magneto with Patrick Stewart as Professor X

Clearly with his mind already in his next project, when McKellen is asked to talk about older Magneto’s disposition upon his “Future Past” return, he replied, “You’ll have to forgive me, because it’s been a year since we filmed and I’ve been busy since then.” Still, he sums things up pretty neatly: “Yes, the enemy is about to strike and Professor Xavier (Patrick Stewart) works out a way with Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) of stopping it.”

If you think that’s all you need to know, think again. At this point in this skewed X-Me timeline, the all of mutant kind are in the brink of extinction, hunted down and killed. The only way around it, and of course it works out well for how many other films they plan for this franchise, Professor X’s and Magneto’s opposing posse must unite.

McKellen eventually opens up to say that Magneto “is a bit more temperate in this film than he’s been in the past. The old rivalry, the old antagonism has gone and he’s changed. He’s come to a point where he has to do what’s right for everyone, and he realizes he needs his allies.”

Magneto gone nice? We really don’t know about that. For McKellen, however, the thrill is very much still there.

“It was easy to get back into playing him – climbing into those clothes and those boots, and them putting me up on wires, because he still has his powers.”

McKellen with Michael Fassbender, who plays the young Erik Lehnsherr

The wonders of cosplay and fabulously attired mutants aside, he also gratefully notes, “All my old friends were there, which was lovely. Of course, (director) Bryan Singer was back with us, so that was great, plus some of his old colleagues. It was a bit like going to see family you haven’t seen for a while. And then there were some new friends!”

Like most pop culture juggernauts, a film like this has had its turn at last year’s Comic Con. Despite the fun, McKellen says “it’s not really a relaxing time with friends” since they’ve mostly been tied to doing promotions.

“Patrick and I were already rehearsing one of our plays in Berkley so we were flown down for one day,” he says. “But it was enjoyable sitting with all those famous faces and fortunately we all got on… And of course the reaction from fans was overwhelming.”

Still, for McKellen, his stint in the X-Men universe is not just about making predictable blockbuster movies with awesome set pieces and digital effects.

“The story about humans with superhuman power that can control the world around them the way the rest of us can’t – for all that fantasy, it’s in the service of a serious message. I think that’s what sets ‘X-Men’ apart from other superhero films. It’s focused on people who are cast out by society for what they are…”

“X-Men: Days of Future Past” (3D), which opens in local theaters on May 21, also sees the return of Hugh Jackman as Logan and the adamantium-clawed Wolverine; Hollywood darling Jennifer Lawrence as Raven Darkhölme/Mystique, whom the actess says is at her turning point in this film; Lawrence’s real-life on/off boyfriend Nicholas Hoult as Hank McCoy/Beast; new cast member Peter Dinklage (of “Game of Thrones” fame) as military scientist Bolivar Trask, who created the Sentinels that hunt down mutants; and an army of other actors old and new to the franchise.

So, are you counting down the days? We are.

EXCLUSIVE: Ian McKellen returns to mutant world

Source: Mb.com.ph (April 30, 2014 at 07:18AM)

Continue...