Ian Mckellen

Will I miss Gandalf? Well, I don't miss him, because people are constantly coming up to me mentioning him and talking about him, so I don't feel that I've lost contact.

I learned that coming out was crucial to self-esteem.

Personally, coming out was one of the most important things I've ever done, lifting from my shoulders the millstone of lies that I hadn't even realized I was carrying.

I used to think 'King Lear' was an analysis of insanity, but I don't really think it is. When Lear is supposed to be at his most insane, he is actually understanding the world for the first time.

The whole atmosphere of the book, the tone of 'The Hobbit,' is of a kid's adventure story, told in the first person by Tolkien, who is introducing young people to the notion of Middle-earth. A lot of it is very light-hearted.

In the past, kids didn't tell their parents they were gay, so there were never the bust-ups. Some parents react so strongly to the news that their children are gay that the reaction is, 'Get out of our house.' There's a residue of old prejudices that are going to die hard.

There have been many gay knights in the past - like Sir Noel Coward or Sir John Gielgud.

On the whole, actors shout when they don't know what they're doing, trying to make an impact.

To be allowed for the first time in your later career to play leading parts in extremely popular movies is not a situation to worry about.

It's my impression that I've done every job that I've been asked to do.

I live for the text. It's my job.

I had never come across the 'X-Men' comics till I was asked to play Magneto, so I just jumped into that job.