Veteran British actor Ian McKellen, now 85, is eager to revisit the role of John Falstaff in Henry IV after a dramatic fall off the stage during a performance in London’s West End. The incident, which occurred in June during a fight scene in Player Kings, left McKellen with a broken wrist and a chipped vertebrae. Reflecting on the fall, McKellen expressed his desire to return to the role and finish the job properly. “I think I’ve come to realize that the best thing would be to go back and play the part again,” he said. “I want to end it by saying, ‘I played Falstaff well,’ not by remembering the night I fell off the stage.”
Despite his enthusiasm for reprising the role, McKellen remains cautious about making long-term plans at his age. “At 85, planning too far ahead is a little bit foolhardy,” he admitted. Fortunately, his injuries were mitigated by the padded suit he wore for the famously rotund character, sparing him from more serious harm.
Currently, McKellen is promoting his latest film, The Critic, where he takes on the role of Jimmy Erskine, a powerful theater critic in 1930s London. Based on Anthony Quinn‘s novel Curtain Call, the film follows Erskine’s attempts to hold onto power after the death of his boss. Erskine forms a risky alliance with struggling actress Nina Land, played by Gemma Arterton, leading to a complex web of manipulation and intrigue. McKellen acknowledged that the film’s plot may seem melodramatic, but noted, “Well, the 1930s were melodramatic.”
One aspect of The Critic that drew McKellen to the role was the character’s openness about his sexuality, something that would have been highly challenging during the era. McKellen, who came out in his forties, found the portrayal of an openly gay man in the 1930s particularly compelling. “It’s very much what it would have been like in those days, even for someone renowned and secure in his position,” McKellen said.
Throughout his illustrious career, McKellen has delivered memorable performances in both stage and film, from Shakespearean roles like Richard III and King Lear to iconic film characters such as Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings and Magneto in the X-Men series. Knighted in 1991, McKellen continues to captivate audiences with his versatility and enduring passion for his craft.
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