Troy Stiffler

I love the films he's been in. He's a great actor that I always look forward to seeing on the screen. He seems to be able to master everything; from Shakespeare to Saturday Night Live. When reading the following, keep in mind that I'm not ignoring Gods and Monsters, or any of his other performances. But come on...

Lord of the Rings - Gandalf
X-Men/X-Men 2 - Magneto
and to a lesser extent, the Upcoming Harry Potter Films - Dumbledore

I watch Fellowship of the Ring and X-Men frequently; they're two absolutly entertaining films. Don't ignore it though. You and I both know that these films attract a lot of the 'nerd' crowd.

Minus the horrific acting, I think McKellen could some day turn into a William Shatner figure. He could quite possible dethrone Shatner as the King of the Nerds. Before you know it, he'll be making appearances at Dungeons and Dragons tournaments.

Rypro 525

How could you call his acting bad if last year he was nominated (and expected), to win the oscar for best supporting actor.

torrance

he's not in the harry potter movies.

and you owe him your allegiance!

Troy Stiffler

When I said horrific, I was refering to Shatner, not McKellen.

Troy Stiffler

He is now... He signed on to be Dumbledore in the new one; directed by the guy who directed Little Princess, and Y Tu Mama Tambien.

GuessWho

Oh yeah? Show me.

He's the latest I've read
that's from scifi.com


BTW, Ian is not only king of the nerds, but the Gay community is also proud for his mainstream success... so he's their Queen too

Dr. DVD

So..still no Dumbledore? How about Laurence Fishburn?

krunchyfrogg

I think Ian McKellen is an absolutely fantastic actor, but I just can't get past his being gay.

Let me clarify: I have no problem whatsoever with his being gay, nor with gay people. I have a problem with Mr. McKellen throwing it in everybody's face whenever he gets the chance!

There's mention of it on the EE DVD, and I was watching him on SNL the other day, and it kept coming up throughout the whole show.

Give me a break, please! I hate it when actors/actresses use their status for political gains, which always seem to be some screaming liberal viewpoint. Just let the actors act, let the politicians politic, and let the citizens vote.

[/rant]

LBPound

That SNL episode was annoying in that the entire show was "Ian's gay"...laugh, it's so funny!

LiquidSky

Well you know what krunchyfrogg? Straight people throw their heterosexuality in my face every day! Now please don't get me wrong. I have no problem with straight people. I just wish they would not push their sexuality in my face everyday.

grunter

Great burn, LiquidSky, great burn.



When I saw this thread, I just thought it was apt that someone would crown a gay man the "King of Nerds" - since "sciffy" fandom is so notoriously homophobic.

Personally I think Ian is a great role model. The matter-of-fact way that he had his boyfriend accompany him to last year's Oscars is just what middle America needs to see. Gay people are just like everyone else. The more middle America sees that - the better.

LiquidSky

Hey grunter...thanx. I just wanted to make a point

Groucho

Let's be reasonable. As long as straight people act gay in public, I have no problem.

Lastblade

Yikes, I didn't know Gandalf is gay.... now I know why he always wanted a bigger staff!

grunter

Starting with Mr. Gandolfini . . .

theneobez

Ian McKellan is amazing, I think he is BETTER than William Shatner in most respects, he has a great sensibility to his character.

grunter

You do realize you're going to hell for blaspheming The Shatner?

Get behind me, O Satan! Get behind me!

krunchyfrogg

I don't think it's right for heterosexuals to be pushing their ideas in people's faces either.

I just hate when people have an agenda, and it seems like Mr. McKellen most certainly does.

paratize

Well guess what people...I'm 100% heterosexual, so get used to it!!! I'm here and I'm not queer, dammit!

GuessWho

C-Mart

So he isn't allowed to have a life off of the screen or out of the studio? People aren't what they do. Whatever your job is, I'm sure you aren't doing it 24/7, 365 days a year right? Actors have no choice but to live their lives in the public eye, so it isn't as if he could hide the fact that he is gay... and he shouldn't have to anyway.

-CM-

grunter

Trust me - I've seen it. Opening night at the multiplex - the lure of a gay Gandolfini in a goatee was simply too much for me.

I have - how you say? - really big, BIG issues with that film.

Not quite on the level of my perpetual "row" with "Ransom" (which I believe to be the biggest "steaming pile" Hollywood ever shat out) - but BIG nevertheless.

For starters: Why must the gay characters always be sacrificed for the happiness of the catalog-cute, young, would-be-married heterosexual couple? Every single ****ing time.

But I won't delve too deeply into that topic here . . . as it's neither the time nor the place . . .

grunter counts to ten and breathes deeply.

Giantrobo

I find Ian's gayness no big deal.

I love his acting and I love his presence onscreen. I loved him in "GOD AND MONSTERS"and I love him as GANDALF. At first I though he was to "HIGH END" for roles like MAGNETO in "X-MEN".
But after seeing him play the role I don't think anyone else can do it.

The first time I ever saw this man it was in "AND THE BAND PLAYED ON" and he has been one of my favorite actors since.


Ian Mckellen

krunchyfrogg

I don't find Ian McKellen being gay a big deal at all.

What I'm trying to say is that I don't think he should be wasting time in the EE Commentary of LotR talking about it (when it's unnecesarry), as well as wasting a bunch of time during SNL with it.

Again, I don't have any problem with his sexual orientation. I just wish he wouldn't make an issue of it. You don't see all the heterosexual actors looking for places to say that they are.

dave955

Not all, but certainly Kevin Spacey