Editing Ian McKellen (section)

==Career==
=== 1965–1985: National Theatre acclaim ===
[[File:Jane Seymour and Ian McKellen in Amadeus, 1980 or 1981.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|right|McKellen (Antonio Salieri) alongside [[Jane Seymour (actress)|Jane Seymour]] (Constanze Mozart) in ''[[Amadeus (play)|Amadeus]]'', c. 1981]]
McKellen made his first professional appearance in 1961 at the [[Belgrade Theatre]] in [[Coventry]], as Roper in ''[[A Man for All Seasons (play)|A Man for All Seasons]]'', although an audio recording of the Marlowe Society's ''Cymbeline'' had gone on commercial sale as part of the [[Argo Records (UK)|Argo]] Shakespeare series.<ref name="trowbridge"/><ref name="Drabble"/> After four years in regional [[repertory|repertory theatres]], McKellen made his first [[West End theatre|West End]] appearance, in ''A Scent of Flowers'', regarded as a "notable success".<ref name="trowbridge" /> In 1965 he was a member of [[Laurence Olivier]]'s National Theatre Company at the [[Old Vic]], which led to roles at the [[Chichester Festival]]. With the [[Prospect Theatre Company]], McKellen made his breakthrough performances of [[Shakespeare]]'s [[Richard II (play)|''Richard II'']] (directed by [[Richard Cottrell]]) and [[Christopher Marlowe]]'s [[Edward II (play)|''Edward II'']] (directed by [[Toby Robertson]]) at the [[Edinburgh Festival]] in 1969, the latter causing a storm of protest over the enactment of the homosexual Edward's lurid death.<ref name=Scotsman>{{cite web | url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/obituaries/obituary-toby-robertson-obe-theatre-director-1-2400165 | access-date=16 September 2013 | date=6 September 2012 | title=Obituary: Toby Robertson, OBE, theatre director | first=Alasdair | last=Steven | work=The Scotsman | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821050238/http://www.scotsman.com/news/obituaries/obituary-toby-robertson-obe-theatre-director-1-2400165 | archive-date=21 August 2014 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

One of McKellen's first major roles on television was as the title character in [[David Copperfield (1966 TV serial)|the BBC's 1966 adaptation]] of ''[[David Copperfield]]'', which achieved 12 million viewers on its initial airings. After some rebroadcasting in the late 60s, the master videotapes for the serial were [[Lost television broadcast|wiped]], and only four scattered episodes (3, 8, 9 and 11) survive as [[telerecordings]], three of which feature McKellen as adult David. McKellen had taken film roles throughout his career—beginning in 1969 with his role of George Matthews in ''[[A Touch of Love (1969 film)|A Touch of Love]]'', and his first leading role was in 1980 as [[D. H. Lawrence]] in ''[[Priest of Love]]'',<ref>Cosmopolitan – "Ian McKellen bursts into film" – May 1981</ref> but it was not until the 1990s that he became more widely recognised in this medium after several roles in blockbuster Hollywood films.<ref name="actors"/> In 1969, McKellen starred in three films, [[Michael Hayes (director)|Michael Hayes]]'s ''[[The Promise (1969 film)|The Promise]]'', [[Clive Donner]]'s epic film ''[[Alfred the Great (film)|Alfred the Great]]'', and [[Waris Hussein]]'s ''[[A Touch of Love (1969 film)|A Touch of Love]]'' (1969).

In the 1970s, McKellen became a well-known figure in British theatre, performing frequently at the [[Royal Shakespeare Company]] and the [[Royal National Theatre]], where he played several leading Shakespearean roles. From 1973 to 1974, McKellen toured the United Kingdom and [[Brooklyn Academy of Music]] portraying Lady Wishfort's Footman, Kruschov, and Edgar in the [[William Congreve]] comedy ''[[The Way of the World]]'', [[Anton Chekov]]'s comedic three-act play ''[[The Wood Demon]]'' and [[William Shakespeare]] tragedy ''[[King Lear]]''. The following year, he starred in [[Shakespeare]]'s ''[[King John (play)|King John]]'', [[George Colman the Elder|George Colman]]'s ''[[The Clandestine Marriage]]'', and [[George Bernard Shaw]]'s ''[[Too True to Be Good]]''. From 1976 to 1977 he portrayed Romeo in the Shakespeare romance ''[[Romeo & Juliet]]'' at the [[Royal Shakespeare Theatre]]. The following year he played [[Leontes|King Leontes]] in ''[[The Winter's Tale]]''.{{sfn|Barratt|2006|p=93}}

In 1976, McKellen played the title role in [[William Shakespeare]]'s ''[[Macbeth]]'' at Stratford in a "gripping&nbsp;... out of the ordinary" production, with [[Judi Dench]], and [[Iago]] in ''[[Othello]]'', in award-winning productions directed by [[Trevor Nunn]].<ref name="trowbridge"/> Both of these productions were adapted into television films, also directed by Nunn. From 1978 to 1979 he toured in a double feature production of Shakespeare's ''[[Twelfth Night]]'', and [[Anton Chekov]]'s ''[[Three Sisters (play)|Three Sisters]]'' portraying Sir Toby Belch and Andrei, respectively.{{sfn|Barratt|2006|p=108}} In 1979, McKellen gained acclaim for his role as [[Antonio Salieri]] in the [[Broadway (theatre)|Broadway]] transfer production of [[Peter Shaffer]]'s play ''[[Amadeus (play)|Amadeus]]''. It was an immensely popular play produced by the [[Royal National Theatre|National Theatre]] originally starring [[Paul Scofield]]. The transfer starred McKellen, [[Tim Curry]] as [[Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart]], and [[Jane Seymour (actress)|Jane Seymour]] as [[Constanze Mozart]]. ''[[The New York Times]]'' theatre critic [[Frank Rich]] wrote of McKellen's performance "In Mr. McKellen's superb performance, Salieri's descent into madness was portrayed in dark notes of almost bone-rattling terror".<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/1981/12/17/theater/the-theater-amadeus-with-3-new-principals.html|title= THE THEATER: 'AMADEUS,' WITH 3 NEW PRINCIPALS|website= [[The New York Times]]|date= 17 December 1981|access-date= 17 June 2021|last1= Rich|first1= Frank|archive-date= 24 June 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202836/https://www.nytimes.com/1981/12/17/theater/the-theater-amadeus-with-3-new-principals.html|url-status= live}}</ref> For his performance, McKellen received the [[Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Farber |first=Stephen |date=15 January 1984 |title=ENTER MCKELLEN, BEARING SHAKESPEARE |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/01/15/theater/enter-mckellen-bearing-shakespeare.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=24 May 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524153539/https://www.nytimes.com/1984/01/15/theater/enter-mckellen-bearing-shakespeare.html |archive-date=24 May 2015}}</ref>

In 1981, McKellen portrayed writer and poet [[D. H. Lawrence]] in the [[Christopher Miles]] directed biographical film, ''[[Priest of Love]]''. He followed up with [[Michael Mann]]'s horror film ''[[The Keep (film)|The Keep]]'' (1983). In 1985, he starred in ''[[Plenty (film)|Plenty]]'', the film adaptation of the [[David Hare (playwright)|David Hare]] [[Plenty (play)|play of the same name]]. The film was directed by [[Fred Schepisi]] and starred [[Meryl Streep]], [[Charles Dance]], [[John Gielgud]], and [[Sting (musician)|Sting]]. The film spans nearly 20 years from the early 1940s to the 1960s, around an Englishwoman's experiences as a fighter for the [[French Resistance]] during [[World War II]] when she has a one-night stand with a British intelligence agent. The film received mixed reviews with [[Roger Ebert]] of ''[[The Chicago Sun-Times]]'' praising the film's ensemble cast writing, "The performances in the movie supply one brilliant solo after another; most of the big moments come as characters dominate the scenes they are in".<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/plenty-1985|title= Plenty movie review|website= Rogerebert.com|access-date= 17 June 2021|archive-date= 24 June 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201951/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/plenty-1985|url-status= live}}</ref>

=== 1986–2000: Established actor ===
In 1986, he returned to Broadway in the revival of [[Anton Chekhov]]'s first play ''Wild Honey'' alongside [[Kim Cattrall]] and [[Kate Burton (actress)|Kate Burton]]. The play concerned a local Russian schoolteacher who struggles to remain faithful to his wife, despite the attention of three other women. McKellen received mixed reviews from critics in particular [[Frank Rich]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' who praised him for his "bravura and athletically graceful technique that provides everything except, perhaps, the thing that matters most—sustained laughter". He later wrote, "Mr. McKellen finds himself in the peculiar predicament of the star who strains to carry a frail supporting cast".<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/1986/12/19/theater/theater-mckellen-in-wild-honey.html|title= THEATER: MCKELLEN IN 'WILD HONEY'|website= [[The New York Times]]|date= 19 December 1986|access-date= 18 June 2021|last1= Rich|first1= Frank|archive-date= 24 June 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210624212115/https://www.nytimes.com/1986/12/19/theater/theater-mckellen-in-wild-honey.html|url-status= live}}</ref> In 1989 he played [[Iago]] in production of ''[[Othello]]'' by the [[Royal Shakespeare Company]].{{sfn|Barratt|2006|pp=159–160}} McKellen starred in the British drama ''[[Scandal (1989 film)|Scandal]]'' (1989) a fictionalised account of the [[Profumo affair]] that rocked the government of British prime minister [[Harold Macmillan]]. McKellen portrayed [[John Profumo]]. The film starred [[Joanne Whalley]], and [[John Hurt]]. The film premiered at the [[1989 Cannes Film Festival]] and competed for the [[Palme d'Or]]. When his friend and colleague, [[Patrick Stewart]], decided to accept the role of [[Captain Jean-Luc Picard]] in the American television series, ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]'', McKellen strongly advised him not to throw away his respected theatrical career to work in television. However, McKellen later conceded that Stewart had been prudent in accepting the role, which made him a global star and later followed his example such as co-starring with Stewart in the ''[[X-Men (film series)|X-Men]]'' [[superhero film]] series.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sharf |first1=Zack |title=Ian McKellen Told Patrick Stewart to Reject 'Star Trek' Offer and Stay in Theater, Admitted Later He Was Wrong: 'You Can't Throw That Away to Do TV. No!' |url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/ian-mckellen-patrick-stewart-reject-star-trek-stay-in-theater-1235743624/ |work=Variety |date=3 October 2023 |access-date=22 October 2023}}</ref>

From 1990 to 1992, he acted in a world tour of a lauded revival of ''[[Richard III (play)|Richard III]]'', playing the [[Richard III|title character]]. The production played at the [[Brooklyn Academy of Music]] for two weeks before continuing its tour where Frank Rich of ''New York Times'' was able to review it. In his piece, he praised McKellen's performance writing, "Mr McKellen's highly sophisticated sense of theatre and fun drives him to reveal the secrets of how he pulls his victims' strings whether he is addressing the audience in a soliloquy or not".<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/1992/06/12/theater/review-theater-richard-iii-mckellen-s-richard-is-for-this-century.html|title= Review/Theatre;Richard III; McKellen's Richard Is for This Century|website= [[The New York Times]]|date= 12 June 1992|access-date= 18 June 2021|last1= Rich|first1= Frank|archive-date= 24 June 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210624223540/https://www.nytimes.com/1992/06/12/theater/review-theater-richard-iii-mckellen-s-richard-is-for-this-century.html|url-status= live}}</ref> For his performance he received the [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Anderson |first=Susan Heller |date=9 April 1991 |title=CHRONICLE |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/04/09/style/chronicle-004791.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=25 May 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525224611/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/04/09/style/chronicle-004791.html |archive-date=25 May 2015}}</ref>

In 1992, he acted in [[Pam Gems]]'s revival of Chekov's ''[[Uncle Vanya]]'' at the [[Royal National Theatre]] alongside [[Antony Sher]], and [[Janet McTeer]]. In 1993, he starred in the film ''[[Six Degrees of Separation (film)|Six Degrees of Separation]]'' based on the [[Pulitzer Prize]] and [[Tony Award]] nominated [[Six Degrees of Separation (play)|play of the same name]]. McKellen starred alongside [[Will Smith]], [[Donald Sutherland]] and [[Stockard Channing]]. The film was a critical success. That same year, he also appeared in the western ''[[The Ballad of Little Jo]]'' opposite [[Bob Hoskins]] and the action comedy ''[[Last Action Hero]]'' starring [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]]. The following year, he appeared in the superhero film ''[[The Shadow (1994 film)|The Shadow]]'' with [[Alec Baldwin]] and the [[James L. Brooks]] directed comedy ''[[I'll Do Anything]]'' starring [[Nick Nolte]].

In 1995, McKellen made his screenwriting debut with ''[[Richard III (1995 film)|Richard III]]'', an ambitious adaptation of [[William Shakespeare]]'s [[Richard III|play of the same name]], directed by [[Richard Loncraine]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1068177-richard_iii|title=Richard III (1995)|website=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=15 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090428191015/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1068177-richard_iii/|archive-date=28 April 2009|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="richard">{{cite web|title=Notes |url=http://www.mckellen.com/cinema/richard/notes.htm |publisher=Ian McKellen Official Website |access-date=15 June 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090430075105/http://www.mckellen.com/cinema/richard/notes.htm |archive-date=30 April 2009 }}</ref> The film reimagines the play's story and characters to a setting based on 1930s Britain, with Richard depicted as a fascist plotting to usurp the throne. McKellen stars in the title role alongside an ensemble cast including [[Annette Bening]], [[Robert Downey Jr.]], [[Jim Broadbent]], [[Kristen Scott Thomas]], [[Nigel Hawthorne]] and [[Dame Maggie Smith]]. As executive producer he returned his £50,000 fee to complete the filming of the final battle.<ref name="empire-2006">''[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]'', May 2006</ref> In his review of the film, ''[[The Washington Post]]'' film critic Hal Hinson called McKellen's performance a "lethally flamboyant incarnation" and said his "florid mastery&nbsp;... dominates everything".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/richardiii.htm#hinson|title=A Rich 'Richard III' Rules|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=19 January 1996|access-date=1 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324112052/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/richardiii.htm#hinson|archive-date=24 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Film critic [[Roger Ebert]] of the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' praised McKellen's adaptation and his performance in his four star review writing, "McKellen has a deep sympathy for the playwright&nbsp;... Here he brings to Shakespeare's most tortured villain a malevolence we are moved to pity. No man should be so evil, and know it. Hitler and others were more evil, but denied out to themselves. There is no escape for Richard. He is one of the first self-aware characters in the theatre, and for that distinction he must pay the price".<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/richard-iii-1996-1|title= Richard III - Movie Review|website= Rogerebert.com|access-date= 17 June 2021|archive-date= 13 June 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210613103551/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/richard-iii-1996-1|url-status= live}}</ref> His performance in the title role garnered [[BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role|BAFTA]] and [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama|Golden Globe]] nominations for Best Actor and won the [[European Film Awards|European Film Award for Best Actor]]. His screenplay was nominated for the [[BAFTA Award for Best Adapted Screenplay]]. That same year, he appeared in the historical drama ''[[Restoration (1995 film)|Restoration]]'' (1995) also starring Downey Jr., as well as [[Meg Ryan]], [[Hugh Grant]], and [[David Thewlis]]. He also appeared in the British romantic comedy ''[[Jack and Sarah]]'' (1995) starring [[Richard E. Grant]], [[Samantha Mathis]], and [[Judi Dench]].

In 1993, he appeared in minor roles in the television [[miniseries]] ''[[Tales of the City (1993 miniseries)|Tales of the City]]'', based on the novel by his friend [[Armistead Maupin]]. Later that year, McKellen appeared in the [[HBO]] television film ''[[And the Band Played On (film)|And the Band Played On]]'' based on the [[And the Band Played On|acclaimed novel of the same name]] about the discovery of [[HIV/AIDS|HIV]]. For his performance as [[gay rights activist]] [[Bill Kraus]], McKellen received the [[CableACE Awards|CableACE Award for Supporting Actor in a Movie or Miniseries]] and was nominated for the [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie]].<ref>{{cite web
  |title = Ian McKellen
  |author = <!-- no byline -->
  |website = [[Emmy Award]]
  |date = n.d.
  |access-date = 24 March 2017
|url = http://www.emmys.com/bios/ian-mckellen
  |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171113233413/http://www.emmys.com/bios/ian-mckellen
  |archive-date = 13 November 2017
|url-status = live
  }}</ref> From 1993 to 1997 McKellen toured in a one-man show entitled, ''A Knights Out'', about coming out as a gay man. Laurie Winer from ''[[The Los Angeles Times]]'' wrote, "Even if he is preaching to the converted, McKellen makes us aware of the vast and powerful intolerance outside the comfortable walls of the theatre. Endowed with a rare technique, he is a natural storyteller, an admirable human being and a hands-on activist".<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-19-ca-60336-story.html|title= McKellen Offers a Comfortably Breezy Evening|website= [[Los Angeles Times]]|date= 19 May 1997|access-date= 18 June 2021|archive-date= 24 June 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202025/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-19-ca-60336-story.html|url-status= live}}</ref> From 1997 to 1998, he starred as Dr. Tomas Stockmann in a revival of [[Henrik Ibsen]]'s ''[[An Enemy of the People]]''.{{sfn|Barratt|2006|p=175}} Later that year he played Garry Essendine in the [[Noël Coward]] comedy ''[[Present Laughter]]'' at the [[West Yorkshire Playhouse]].{{sfn|Barratt|2006|p=178}} In 1998, he appeared in the modestly acclaimed psychological thriller ''[[Apt Pupil (film)|Apt Pupil]]'', which was directed by [[Bryan Singer]] and based on a story by [[Stephen King]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/apt_pupil|title=Apt Pupil (1998)|website=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=15 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090218015222/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/apt_pupil/|archive-date=18 February 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> McKellen portrayed a fugitive [[Nazi]] officer living under a [[false name]] in the US who is befriended by a curious teenager ([[Brad Renfro]]) who threatens to expose him unless he tells his story in detail. That same year, he played [[James Whale]], the director of ''[[Frankenstein (1931 film)|Frankenstein]]'' in the [[Bill Condon]] directed period drama ''[[Gods and Monsters (film)|Gods and Monsters]]'', a role for which he was subsequently nominated for the [[Academy Award for Best Actor]], losing it to [[Roberto Benigni]] in ''[[Life is Beautiful]]'' (1998).<ref name="actors"/>

In 1995, he appeared in the [[BBC]] television comedy film ''[[Cold Comfort Farm (film)|Cold Comfort Farm]]'' starring [[Kate Beckinsale]], [[Rufus Sewell]], and [[Stephen Fry]]. The following year he starred as [[Tsar Nicholas II]] in the [[HBO]] made-for-television movie ''[[Rasputin: Dark Servant of Destiny]]'' (1996) starring [[Alan Rickman]] as [[Rasputin]]. For his performance, McKellen earned a [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie]] nomination and received a [[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film]] win. McKellen appeared as Mr Creakle in the [[BBC]] series ''[[David Copperfield (1999 film)|David Copperfield]]'' (1999) based on the [[Charles Dickens]] classic novel. The miniseries starred a pre-''[[Harry Potter]]'' [[Daniel Radcliffe]], [[Bob Hoskins]], and [[Dame Maggie Smith]].

=== 2000–2011: International stardom ===
[[File:Ian McKellen.jpg|thumb|McKellen at the world premiere of ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'' in [[Wellington]], 1&nbsp;December&nbsp;2003]]
In 1999, McKellen was cast, again under the direction of Bryan Singer, to play the comic book supervillain [[Magneto (Marvel Comics)|Magneto]] in the 2000 film ''[[X-Men (film)|X-Men]]'' and its sequels ''[[X2: X-Men United]]'' (2003) and ''[[X-Men: The Last Stand]]'' (2006).<ref name="actors"/> He later reprised his role of Magneto in 2014's ''[[X-Men: Days of Future Past]]'', sharing the role with [[Michael Fassbender]], who played a younger version of the character in 2011's ''[[X-Men: First Class]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://screenrant.com/x-men-days-of-future-past-cast-patrick-stewart-ian-mckellen|title=Patrick Stewart & Ian McKellen Join 'X-Men: Days of Future Past'|date=27 November 2012|last=Keyes|first=Rob|website=Screenrant|access-date=28 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121128083518/http://screenrant.com/x-men-days-of-future-past-cast-patrick-stewart-ian-mckellen/|archive-date=28 November 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

While filming the first ''X-Men'' film in 1999, McKellen was cast as the [[Wizard (Middle-earth)|wizard]] [[Gandalf]] in [[Peter Jackson]]'s film trilogy adaptation of [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'']] (consisting of ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring|The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers|The Two Towers]]'', and ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King|The Return of the King]]''), released between 2001 and 2003. He won the [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role|Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture]] for his work in ''The Fellowship of the Ring'' and was nominated for the [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor]] for the same role. He provided the voice of Gandalf for several video game adaptations of the ''Lord of the Rings'' films.<ref>{{cite web|title=2000's|publisher=Ian McKellen Official Website|url=http://www.mckellen.com/cinema/index0.htm|access-date=25 April 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430204550/http://www.mckellen.com/cinema/index0.htm|archive-date=30 April 2008|url-status=live}}</ref>

McKellen returned to the Broadway stage in 2001 in an [[August Strindberg]] play ''[[The Dance of Death (Strindberg play)|The Dance of Death]]'' alongside [[Helen Mirren]] and [[David Strathairn]] at the [[Broadhurst Theatre]]. ''The New York Times'' Theatre critic [[Ben Brantley]] praised McKellen's performance writing, "[McKellen] returns to Broadway to serve up an Elysian concoction we get to sample too little these days: a mixture of heroic stage presence, actorly intelligence, and rarefied theatrical technique".<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/12/movies/theater-review-to-stay-alive-snipe-snipe.html|title= THEATER REVIEW; To Stay Alive, Snipe, Snipe|website= [[The New York Times]]|date= 12 October 2001|access-date= 18 June 2021|last1= Brantley|first1= Ben|archive-date= 24 June 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210624214309/https://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/12/movies/theater-review-to-stay-alive-snipe-snipe.html|url-status= live}}</ref> McKellen toured with the production at the [[Lyric Theatre, London|Lyric Theatre]] in London's West End and to the Sydney Art's Festival in Australia. On 16 March 2002, he hosted ''[[Saturday Night Live]]''.

In 2002 McKellen appeared in a solo performance at the [[Beverly Hills]] Canon Theatre, where he performed his personally written scene from a Shakespeare annex piece.<ref>{{citation |url=https://archive.org/details/ASG-Propositioning-Sir-Ian-McKellen-2025|title=Lit 21: Propositioning Sir Ian McKellen (2025)|publisher=Internet Archive|date=23 March 2025|access-date=25 March 2025}}</ref>

In 2003 McKellen made a guest appearance as himself on the American cartoon show ''[[The Simpsons]]'' in a special British-themed episode entitled "[[The Regina Monologues]]", along with the then UK Prime Minister [[Tony Blair]] and author [[J. K. Rowling]]. In April and May 2005, he played the role of [[Mel Hutchwright]] in [[Granada Television]]'s long-running British soap opera, ''[[Coronation Street]]'', fulfilling a lifelong ambition, where in 2015 he was gifted a [[Cobblestone|cobble]] from the [[Coronation Street sets|soap's exterior set]] for his seventy-sixth birthday.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sir Ian McKellen gets a Coronation Street cobble for his 76th birthday|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a654009/sir-ian-mckellen-gets-a-coronation-street-cobble-for-his-76th-birthday/|last=Babbage |first=Rachel|work=[[Digital Spy]]|date=19 June 2015|access-date=23 July 2024}}</ref> He narrated [[Richard Bell (director)|Richard Bell]]'s film ''Eighteen'' as a grandfather who leaves his World War II memoirs on audio-cassette for his teenage grandson.
[[File:BAFTA 2007 (387064580).jpg|thumb|left|McKellen with [[Kate Winslet]] at the [[60th British Academy Film Awards]] in 2007]]
McKellen has appeared in limited release films, such as ''[[Emile (film)|Emile]]'' (which was shot in three weeks following the ''X2'' shoot),<ref name="emile-words">{{cite web|url=http://www.mckellen.com/cinema/emile/words.htm|title=Adrian Salpeter interviews Ian McKellen about Emile|work=Ian McKellen Official Website|access-date=27 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105013927/http://www.mckellen.com/cinema/emile/words.htm|archive-date=5 November 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Neverwas]]'' and ''[[Asylum (2005 film)|Asylum]]''. In 2006, he appeared as Sir Leigh Teabing in ''[[The Da Vinci Code (film)|The Da Vinci Code]]'' opposite [[Tom Hanks]] as [[Robert Langdon]]. During a 17 May 2006 interview on ''[[The Today Show]]'' with the ''Da Vinci Code'' cast and director [[Ron Howard]], [[Matt Lauer]] posed a question to the group about how they would have felt if the film had borne a prominent disclaimer that it is a work of fiction, as some religious groups wanted.<ref name="suspend"/> McKellen responded, "I've often thought the Bible should have a disclaimer in the front saying 'This is fiction'. I mean, walking on water? It takes&nbsp;... an act of faith. And I have faith in this movie—not that it's true, not that it's factual, but that it's a jolly good story". He continued, "And I think audiences are clever enough and bright enough to separate out fact and fiction, and discuss the thing when they've seen it".<ref name="suspend">{{cite web|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/blog/2006/05/17/ian-mckellen-unable-to-suspend-disbelief-while-reading-the-bible/ |title=Ian McKellen Unable to Suspend Disbelief While Reading the Bible. |access-date=20 May 2006 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060614150617/http://www.usmagazine.com/blog/2006/05/17/ian-mckellen-unable-to-suspend-disbelief-while-reading-the-bible/ |archive-date=14 June 2006 }} ''Us Weekly''. 17 May 2006.</ref>

McKellen appeared in the 2006 BBC series of [[Ricky Gervais]]'s comedy series ''[[Extras (TV series)|Extras]]'', where he played himself directing Gervais's character [[Andy Millman]] in a play about gay lovers. McKellen received a 2007 [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor – Comedy Series]] nomination for his performance. In 2007, McKellen narrated the romantic fantasy adventure film ''[[Stardust (2007 film)|Stardust]]'' starring [[Charlie Cox]] and [[Claire Danes]], which was a critical and financial success. That same year, he lent his voice to the armoured bear [[Iorek Byrnison]] in the [[Chris Weitz]]-directed fantasy film ''[[The Golden Compass (film)|The Golden Compass]]'' based on the acclaimed [[Philip Pullman]] novel ''[[Northern Lights (Pullman novel)|Northern Lights]]'' and starred [[Nicole Kidman]] and [[Daniel Craig]]. The film received mixed reviews but was a financial success.

[[File:BAFTA 2007 (387059718).jpg|thumb|right|McKellen at the 2007 [[BAFTA Awards]]]]
In 2007, he returned to the [[Royal Shakespeare Company]], in productions of ''[[King Lear]]'' and ''[[The Seagull]]'', both directed by [[Trevor Nunn]]. In 2009 he portrayed Number Two in ''[[The Prisoner (2009 miniseries)|The Prisoner]]'', a remake of the 1967 cult series ''[[The Prisoner]]''.<ref name="Wilson2010">{{cite news|title=The Prisoner: remake of a 1960s TV classic|last=Wilson|first=Benji|date=11 April 2010|work=The Sunday Times|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article7091471.ece|location=London|access-date=13 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615094550/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article7091471.ece|archive-date=15 June 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2009, he appeared in a very popular revival of ''[[Waiting for Godot]]'' at London's [[Haymarket Theatre]], directed by [[Sean Mathias]], and playing opposite [[Patrick Stewart]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.whatsonstage.com/index.php?pg=207&story=E8821225446926|title=McKellen & Stewart Wait in Haymarket Godot|last=Paddock|first=Terri|date=31 October 2008|publisher=Whatsonstage.com|access-date=8 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616065547/http://www.whatsonstage.com/index.php?pg=207&story=E8821225446926|archive-date=16 June 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://theater2.nytimes.com/2009/05/08/arts/08iht-LON8.html|title=McKellen and Stewart Deliver a 'Godot' With a Difference|last=Wolf|first=Matt|date=7 May 2009|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date =8 July 2009}}</ref> From 2013 to 2014, McKellen and Stewart starred in a double production of [[Samuel Beckett]]'s ''Waiting for Godot'' and [[Harold Pinter]]'s ''[[No Man's Land (play)|No Man's Land]]'' on [[Broadway (theatre)|Broadway]] at the [[Cort Theatre]]. ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' theatre critic Marilyn Stasio praised the dual production writing, "McKellen and Stewart find plenty of consoling comedy in two masterpieces of existential despair".<ref name="broadway-review-land-godot">{{cite web|url= https://variety.com/2013/legit/reviews/broadway-review-no-mans-landwaiting-for-godot-1200851722/|title= Broadway Review: 'No Man's Land/Waiting for Godot'|website= [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date= 25 November 2013|access-date= 18 June 2021|archive-date= 24 June 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210624200919/https://variety.com/2013/legit/reviews/broadway-review-no-mans-landwaiting-for-godot-1200851722/|url-status= live}}</ref> In both productions of Stasio claims, "the two thespians play the parts they were meant to play".<ref name="broadway-review-land-godot" /> He is Patron of [[English Touring Theatre]] and also President and Patron of the [[Little Theatre Guild of Great Britain]], an association of amateur theatre organisations throughout the UK.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://littletheatreguild.org/our-patron-sir-ian-mckellen-ch/|title=The Little Theatre Guild of Great Britain|publisher=Littletheatreguild.org|access-date=15 December 2016|date=23 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220172322/http://littletheatreguild.org/our-patron-sir-ian-mckellen-ch/|archive-date=20 December 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> In late August 2012, he took part in the [[2012 Summer Paralympics opening ceremony|opening ceremony]] of the [[London Paralympics]], portraying [[Prospero]] from ''[[The Tempest]]''.<ref name=paralympics-opening>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19411225|title=Paralympics: Games opening promises 'journey of discovery'|work=BBC News|date=29 August 2012|access-date=20 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120829190233/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19411225|archive-date=29 August 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Since 2012: Career expansion ===
[[File:9.24.13WaitingForGodot-NoMansLandPressJunketByLuigiNovi8.jpg|thumb|McKellen with [[Billy Crudup]] and [[Patrick Stewart]] promoting ''[[Waiting for Godot]]'' and ''[[No Man's Land (play)|No Man's Land]]'' (2013)]]

McKellen reprised the role of Gandalf on screen in Peter Jackson's three-part film adaptation of ''[[The Hobbit (film series)|The Hobbit]]'' starting with ''[[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]'' (2012), followed by ''[[The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug]]'' (2013), and finally ''[[The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies]]'' (2014).<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Rottenberg|first=Josh|url=https://ew.com/article/2011/01/10/the-hobbit-scoop-ian-mckellan-and-andy-serkis-on-board/|title=Hobbit' scoop: Ian McKellen and Andy Serkis on board|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=10 January 2011|access-date=18 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204084239/http://www.ew.com/article/2011/01/10/the-hobbit-scoop-ian-mckellan-and-andy-serkis-on-board|archive-date=4 February 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite the series receiving mixed reviews, it emerged as a financial success. McKellen also reprised his role as Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto in [[James Mangold]]'s ''[[The Wolverine (film)|The Wolverine]]'' (2013), and Singer's ''[[X-Men: Days of Future Past]]'' (2014).  In November 2013, McKellen appeared in the ''[[Doctor Who]]'' 50th anniversary comedy homage ''[[The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot]]''.<ref>"[https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03lv3mj The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019111019/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03lv3mj |date=19 October 2019 }}", BBC programmes. Retrieved 26 November 2013</ref> From 2013 to 2016, McKellen co-starred in the [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] sitcom ''[[Vicious (TV series)|Vicious]]'' as Freddie Thornhill, alongside [[Derek Jacobi]]. The series revolves around an elderly gay couple who have been together for 50 years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.itv.com/presscentre/ep1week23/vicious|title=Vicious|website=ITV Press Centre|publisher=ITV|access-date=4 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201035447/http://www.itv.com/presscentre/ep1week23/vicious|archive-date=1 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a509391/vicious-renewed-for-second-series-by-itv-job-lot-moving-to-itv2.html|title='Vicious' renewed for second series by ITV, 'Job Lot' moving to ITV2|website=[[Digital Spy]]|date=23 August 2013|access-date=7 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130911032718/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a509391/vicious-renewed-for-second-series-by-itv-job-lot-moving-to-itv2.html|archive-date=11 September 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> The show's original title was "Vicious Old Queens". There are ongoing jokes about McKellen's career as a relatively unsuccessful character actor who owns a tux because he stole it after doing a guest spot on "Downton Abbey" and that he holds the title of "10th Most Popular 'Doctor Who' Villain". Liz Shannon Miller of ''[[IndieWire]]'' noted while the concept seemed, "weird as hell", that "Once you come to accept McKellen and Jacobi in a multi-camera format, there is a lot to respect about their performances; specifically, the way that those decades of classical training adapt themselves to the sitcom world. Much has been written before about how the tradition of the multi-cam, filmed in front of a studio audience, relates to theatre, and McKellen and Jacobi know how to play to a live crowd".<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.indiewire.com/2015/09/review-vicious-is-a-real-tv-show-we-promise-and-its-weird-as-hell-58335/|title= Review: 'Vicious' Is a Real TV Show, We Promise, And It's Weird as Hell|website= [[IndieWire]]|date= 10 September 2015|access-date= 17 June 2021|archive-date= 30 July 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210730120059/https://www.indiewire.com/2015/09/review-vicious-is-a-real-tv-show-we-promise-and-its-weird-as-hell-58335/|url-status= live}}</ref>

In 2015, McKellen reunited with director Bill Condon playing an elderly [[Sherlock Holmes]] in the mystery film ''[[Mr. Holmes]]'' alongside [[Laura Linney]]. In the film based on the novel ''[[A Slight Trick of the Mind]]'' (2005), Holmes now 93, struggles to recall the details of his final case because his mind is slowly deteriorating. The film premiered at the [[65th Berlin International Film Festival]] with McKellen receiving acclaim for his performance. ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' film critic [[Peter Travers]] praised his performance writing, "Don't think you can take another Hollywood version of Sherlock Holmes? Snap out of it. Apologies to Robert Downey Jr. and [[Benedict Cumberbatch]], but what Ian McKellen does with Arthur Conan Doyle's fictional detective in Mr Holmes is nothing short of magnificent&nbsp;... Director Bill Condon, who teamed superbly with McKellen on the Oscar-winning Gods and Monsters, brings us a riveting character study of a lion not going gentle into winter".<ref>{{cite magazine|url= https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/mr-holmes-248772/|title= Mr. Holmes - Movie Review|magazine= [[Rolling Stone]]|date= 15 July 2015|access-date= 17 June 2021|archive-date= 24 June 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201114/https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/mr-holmes-248772/|url-status= live}}</ref> In October 2015, McKellen appeared as Norman to [[Anthony Hopkins]]'s Sir in a [[BBC Two]] production of [[Ronald Harwood]]'s ''[[The Dresser (2015 film)|The Dresser]]'', alongside [[Edward Fox (actor)|Edward Fox]], [[Vanessa Kirby]], and [[Emily Watson]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-34660715 |title=Ian McKellen: 'Working with Anthony Hopkins was bliss' |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |date=31 October 2015 |access-date=31 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151030211959/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-34660715 |archive-date=30 October 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> Television critic Tim Goodman of ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' praised the film and the central performances writing, "there's no escaping that Hopkins and McKellen are the central figures here, giving wonderfully nuanced performances, onscreen together for their first time in their acclaimed careers".<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/review-starzs-dresser-starring-ian-898297/|title= The Dresser: TV Review|website= [[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date= 30 May 2016|access-date= 17 June 2021|archive-date= 24 June 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210624200138/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/review-starzs-dresser-starring-ian-898297/|url-status= live}}</ref> For his performance McKellen received a [[British Academy Television Award]] nomination for his performance.
[[File:McKellenRichmnd040219-13 (46275366854) (cropped).jpg|thumb|McKellen in 2019]]

In 2017, McKellen portrayed in a supporting role as [[Cogsworth]] (originally voiced by [[David Ogden Stiers]] in the [[Beauty and the Beast (1991 film)|1991 animated film]]) in the live-action adaptation of [[Disney]]'s ''[[Beauty and the Beast (2017 film)|Beauty and the Beast]]'', directed by Bill Condon (which marked the third collaboration between Condon and McKellen, after ''Gods and Monsters'' and ''Mr. Holmes'') and co-starred alongside [[Emma Watson]] and [[Dan Stevens]].<ref name=McKellenCast>{{cite news|last1=Kroll|first1=Justin|title=Ian McKellen to Play Cogsworth in Disney's 'Beauty and the Beast'|url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/beauty-beast-ian-mckellen-cogsworth-1201464763/|access-date=11 April 2015|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=10 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411192321/http://variety.com/2015/film/news/beauty-beast-ian-mckellen-cogsworth-1201464763/|archive-date=11 April 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> The film was released to positive reviews and grossed $1.2{{nbsp}}billion worldwide, making it the highest-grossing live-action musical film, the [[2017 in film|second highest-grossing film of 2017]], and the [[List of highest-grossing films|17th highest-grossing film]] of all time.<ref name="BeautyandtheBeastReception">{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/beauty_and_the_beast_2017 |title=Beauty and the Beast (2017) |work=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=11 December 2017 |archive-date=11 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171211204754/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/beauty_and_the_beast_2017/ |url-status=live }}<br />{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=beautyandthebeast2017.htm |title=Beauty and the Beast (2017) |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=18 September 2017 |archive-date=26 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190826163452/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=beautyandthebeast2017.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-reviews/beauty-and-the-beast-review-9971177|title=Beauty and the Beast review: Irresistible charm shows no one casts a spell quite like Disney|first=Chris|last=Hunneysett|work=[[Daily Mirror]]|date=17 March 2017|access-date=27 April 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170910200005/http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-reviews/beauty-and-the-beast-review-9971177|archive-date=10 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Lavish 'Beauty and the Beast' true as it can be to original|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/2017/3/15/18322097/lavish-beauty-and-the-beast-true-as-it-can-be-to-original|last=Roeper|first=Richard|date=15 March 2017|website=Chicago Sun-Times|language=en|access-date=25 May 2020|archive-date=10 September 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170910202458/http://chicago.suntimes.com/entertainment/lavish-beauty-and-the-beast-true-as-it-can-be-to-original/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2017, McKellen appeared in the documentary ''McKellen: Playing the Part'', directed by director Joe Stephenson. The documentary explores McKellen's life and career as an actor.

In October 2017, McKellen played [[King Lear]] at the [[Chichester Festival Theatre]], a role which he said was likely to be his "last big Shakespearean part".<ref name=king-lear>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-41531398|title=Sir Ian McKellen says King Lear is his 'last big Shakespeare part'|work=BBC News|date=7 October 2017|access-date=20 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730152416/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-41531398|archive-date=30 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> He performed the play at the [[Duke of York's Theatre]] in London's West End during the summer of 2018.<ref name=king-lear-west-end>{{cite news|url=https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatre-news/news/ian-mckellen-to-play-king-lear-in-londons-west-end-this-summer|title=Ian McKellen to play King Lear in London's West End this summer|work=LondonTheatre.co.uk|date=8 February 2018|access-date=8 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614195041/https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatre-news/news/ian-mckellen-to-play-king-lear-in-londons-west-end-this-summer|archive-date=14 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=king-lear-west-end2>{{cite web | url=https://www.londonboxoffice.co.uk/news/post/king-lear-ian-mackellen | access-date=9 February 2018 | date=9 February 2018 | title=Don't miss Sir Ian McKellen as King Lear | first=Phil | last=Willmott | work=LondonBoxOffice.co.uk | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180209182510/https://www.londonboxoffice.co.uk/news/post/king-lear-ian-mackellen | archive-date=9 February 2018 | url-status=live }}</ref> McKellen voiced Dr. Cecil Pritchfield the [[Developmental psychology|child psychiatrist]] for [[Stewie Griffin]] in the ''[[Family Guy]]'' episode "[[Send in Stewie, Please]]" in 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://variety.com/2018/tv/features/family-guy-stewie-therapy-sir-ian-mckellen-1202725999/|title= How 'Family Guy' Crafted Its Limited-Interruption, Stewie-Centric Episode
|website= Variety|date= 16 March 2018
|accessdate= 10 February 2024}}</ref> He appeared in [[Kenneth Branagh]]'s historical drama ''[[All is True (film)|All is True]]'' (2018) portraying [[Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton]], opposite Branagh and Judi Dench. [[Peter Bradshaw]] of ''[[The Guardian]]'' described his performance "offer solid support" and added that it's a "colossal, emphatically wigged cameo".<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/dec/21/all-is-true-review-ben-elton-kenneth-branagh-shakespeare|title= All Is True review – Kenneth Branagh and Ben Elton's poignant Bard biopic|newspaper= The Guardian|date= 21 December 2018|last1= Bradshaw|first1= Peter}}</ref> To celebrate his 80th birthday, in 2019 McKellen performed in a one-man stage show titled ''[[Ian McKellen on Stage: With Tolkien, Shakespeare, Others and YOU]]'' celebrating the various performances throughout his career. The show toured across the UK and Ireland (raising money for each venue and organisation's charity) before a [[West End theatre|West End]] run at the [[Harold Pinter Theatre]] and was performed for one night only on [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] at the [[Hudson Theatre]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Wiegand|first=Chris|date=14 June 2019|title=Ian McKellen announces 80 West End dates for 80th birthday show|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2019/jun/14/ian-mckellen-announces-80-west-end-dates-for-80th-birthday-show|access-date=13 May 2020|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=1 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200601150804/https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2019/jun/14/ian-mckellen-announces-80-west-end-dates-for-80th-birthday-show|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2019, he reunited with Condon for a fourth time in the mystery thriller ''[[The Good Liar]]'' opposite [[Helen Mirren]], who received praise for their onscreen chemistry.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cinemablend.com/previews/2479568/the-good-liar |title=The Good Liar - CINEMABLEND |access-date=22 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190922173403/https://www.cinemablend.com/previews/2479568/the-good-liar |archive-date=22 September 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> That same year, he appeared as [[Gus the Theatre Cat]] in the movie musical adaptation of ''[[Cats (2019 film)|Cats]]'' directed by [[Tom Hooper]]. The film featured performances from [[Jennifer Hudson]], [[James Corden]], [[Rebel Wilson]], [[Idris Elba]], and Judi Dench. The film was widely panned for its poor visual effects, editing, performances, screenplay, and was a [[box office disaster]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/07/jennifer-hudson-taylor-swift-james-corden-ian-mckellen-cats-movie-andrew-lloyd-webber-1202430100/|title=Jennifer Hudson, Taylor Swift, James Corden & Ian McKellen Line Up For 'Cats' Movie – Miaow|last=Wiseman|first=Andreas|date=20 July 2018|website=Deadline|access-date=21 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720125150/https://deadline.com/2018/07/jennifer-hudson-taylor-swift-james-corden-ian-mckellen-cats-movie-andrew-lloyd-webber-1202430100/|archive-date=20 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2021, he played the title role in an age-blind production of ''[[Hamlet]]'' (having previously played the part in a UK and European tour in 1971), followed by the role of Firs in Chekov's ''[[The Cherry Orchard]]'' at the [[Theatre Royal, Windsor]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Ian-McKellen-Joins-HAMLET-and-THE-CHERRY-ORCHARD-at-Theatre-Royal-Windsor-20210318|title= Ian McKellen Joins HAMLET and THE CHERRY ORCHARD at Theatre Royal Windsor|website= Theatreworld|access-date= 18 June 2021|archive-date= 24 June 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201814/https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Ian-McKellen-Joins-HAMLET-and-THE-CHERRY-ORCHARD-at-Theatre-Royal-Windsor-20210318|url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2021/mar/19/ian-mckellen-hamlet-cherry-orchard-theatre-royal-windsor|title= Ian McKellen's long-awaited return as Hamlet set for June|website= [[The Guardian]]|date= 19 March 2021|access-date= 18 June 2021|archive-date= 14 June 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210614224320/https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2021/mar/19/ian-mckellen-hamlet-cherry-orchard-theatre-royal-windsor|url-status= live}}</ref> Since November 2021, McKellen and ABBA member [[Björn Ulvaeus]] have posted [[Instagram]] videos featuring the pair [[knitting]] [[Christmas jumper]]s and other festive attire.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nme.com/news/film/abbas-bjorn-ulvaeus-knit-christmas-jumpers-sir-ian-mckellen-3103040|title=Watch Sir Ian McKellen knit Christmas jumpers with ABBA's Björn Ulvaeus|last=Starkey|first=Adam|date=23 November 2021|work=[[NME]]|accessdate=27 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/ian-mckellen-and-abbas-bjorn-ulvaeus-return-in-new-festive-knitting-video-3359823|title=Ian McKellen and ABBA's Björn Ulvaeus return in new festive knitting video|last=Jones|first=Damian|date=2 December 2022|work=[[NME]]|accessdate=27 November 2023}}</ref> In 2023, it was revealed that Ulvaeus and McKellen would be knitting stagewear for Kylie Minogue as part of her ''[[More Than Just a Residency]]'' [[concert residency]] at Voltaire at [[The Venetian Las Vegas]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/watch-famous-knitting-brothers-ian-mckellen-and-abbas-bjorn-ulvaeus-agree-to-knit-stagewear-for-kylie-minogue-3548811|title=Watch 'famous knitting brothers' Ian McKellen and ABBA's Björn Ulvaeus agree to knit stagewear for Kylie Minogue|last=Dunworth|first=Liberty|date=24 November 2023|work=[[NME]]|accessdate=27 November 2023}}</ref>

In 2023, he starred in the period thriller ''[[The Critic (2023 film)|The Critic]]'' directed by [[Anand Tucker]]. The film is written by [[Patrick Marber]] adapted off the 2015 novel ''Curtain Call'' by Anthony Quinn. The film premiered at the [[2023 Toronto International Film Festival]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://variety.com/2023/film/features/ian-mckellen-retirement-gandalf-the-critic-toronto-1235710798/|title= Ian McKellen on Not Retiring, Not Being the First Choice for Gandalf and Going Evil for 'The Critic': 'The Devil Has the Best Lines'|website=Variety |date=7 September 2023|access-date= 7 September 2023}}</ref>

In April 2024, McKellen starred as [[John Falstaff]] in ''Player Kings (''an adaptation of [[Shakespeare's]] ''[[Henry IV, Part 1|Henry IV Parts 1]] [[Henry IV, Part 2|and 2]])'' opposite [[Richard Coyle]] and [[Toheeb Jimoh]] at the [[Noël Coward Theatre]] in [[West End theatre|London's West End]] and received rave reviews (following runs at [[New Wimbledon Theatre]] and [[Manchester Opera House]]).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Akbar |first=Arifa |date=11 April 2024 |title=Player Kings review – Ian McKellen's richly complex Falstaff is magnetic |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2024/apr/11/player-kings-review-ian-mckellen-falstaff-noel-coward-theatre-london |access-date=17 June 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Ian McKellen is an unforgettable Falstaff in Player Kings — review |url=https://www.ft.com/content/7dbd7c6e-4083-4dc3-b90b-bec112855dc0 |access-date=17 June 2024 |website=Financial Times|date=12 April 2024 |last1=Hemming |first1=Sarah }}</ref> The production was scheduled to run until 22 June before touring to [[Bristol]], Birmingham, [[Norwich]] and [[Newcastle upon Tyne]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Benedict |first=David |date=12 April 2024 |title='Player Kings' Review: Ian McKellen and Toheeb Jimoh Give Star Turns in a Chilly New Take on Shakespeare's 'Henry IV' |url=https://variety.com/2024/legit/reviews/player-kings-review-ian-mckellen-falstaff-1235968505/ |access-date=17 June 2024 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> however during the performance on 17 June, McKellen fell off the front of the stage during a fight scene and called for assistance; the performance was cancelled and the audience dismissed. He was later reported to have recovered and to be "in good spirits."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ian McKellen 'in good spirits' after falling off stage during performance |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx88v15r41jo |date=18 June 2024 |access-date=18 June 2024 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> He subsequently pulled out of the remaining West End and tour performances on medical advice.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3grxyw4pg9o|title=McKellen won't return for play's tour after injury|work=BBC News|first=Steven|last=McIntosh|date=1 July 2024|access-date=1 July 2024}}</ref>

McKellen is set to reprise his role as Magneto in ''[[Avengers: Doomsday]]'' (2026).<ref>{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=26 March 2025 |title=Marvel Confirming 'Avengers: Doomsday' Cast: Patrick Stewart, Tom Hiddleston, Hannah John-Kamen, Joseph Quinn, Lewis Pullman, Kelsey Grammer & More |url=https://deadline.com/2025/03/avengers-doomsday-cast-1236351122/ |access-date=26 March 2025 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>