Revisiting Ian McKellen’s most memorable performances on his 82nd birthday

Legendary British thespian Ian McKellen is no stranger to Hollywood - he's played some of our favourite fantasy characters, has openly advocated as a member of the LGBTQ+ community even when acceptance was hard to come by, and has established himself as a distinguished actor who moulds his persona to fit the role to perfection. Bestowed with knighthood in 1991, McKellen has set himself apart in his youth by playing diverse roles with conviction and entranced the youngest of audiences in his adulthood by depicting powerful superheroes as well as wizards.

McKellen, who began his prolific career on screen with Michael Hayes’ The Promise, found his breakthrough in his portrayal of DH Lawrence in Priest of Love. In the four decades that have followed this feat, McKellen has become instrumental to some popular franchises and movie adaptations. On the actor’s 82nd birthday, OTTPlay is celebrating McKellen's legacy by noting movies where he proved to be irreplaceable.

Sherlock Holmes in Mr Holmes (2015) - Amazon Prime Video

Adding another feather to his hat, McKellen had the opportunity to portray only the most famous detective in the world. Bringing his own eccentricity to the character, McKellen completely reinvented Sherlock in Mr Holmes; the titular character is not a man who lives for adventure and brushes with villains. Instead, he is someone who is on the brink of tipping over his dementia and is trying to tie his memory together for an unsolved case. McKellen’s Sherlock adds a new dimension to the character, bringing unfamiliar vulnerability and an aging grace.

Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto in X-Men franchise - Amazon Prime Video

Before the teens knew Michael Fassbender, Mckellen was the one who brought the antihero to life. A character as complex as Magneto - a holocaust survivor who embibes superhuman strength and superhero powers - has been an ally of the X-Men, a villain to them when required and a dear friend to Professor X on multiple occasions. The various changes of heart and varying graph of the character’s inherent goodness could only be portrayed by someone like McKellen.

Gandalf in The Lord of The Rings trilogy - Amazon Prime Video

‘A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to’ - perhaps McKellen’s role as Gandalf came at the right time in his life in order to loop him in another franchise, one that has led to him becoming an icon in fiction and fantasy fans. Gandalf is the real orchestrator of the events of The Lord of The Rings. His infinite wisdom, unmatchable powers and gift of guidance first sets Bilbo on the right path and then assists Frodo in attempting to defeat Sauron.

Roy Courtnay in The Good Liar (2019) - Amazon Prime Video

Ian McKellen and Helen Mirren? Sign us up! McKellen tries to fool the widowed Mirren in the film, where he charms and lies and tries to reach his end goal before he realises Mirren is perhaps one step ahead of him. This con-artist thriller needed the performance of McKellen to make it a success, for Mirren needed a contemporary who could match her pace. The two form the most delightfully shrewd couple in the film and McKellen, while enhancing his own performance, provides Mirren the chance to be the best with the best.

Sir Leigh Teabing in Da Vinci Code (2006) - Netflix

Based on the book from Dan Brown’s popular Robert Langdon series, Da Vinci Code features McKellen in the role of Sir Leigh Teabing. In a lot of ways, Teabing is the one who cracks the mystery for Langdon and proves to be his source of trustworthy information and guidance. He is the biggest helping hand for Langdon, till his true intentions for the Holy Grail are revealed and he sets the latter half of the plot into action.