Ian McKellen Doesn’t Care Who Plays Gay ‘We’re All Pretending’
Share
Sir Ian McKellen says he doesn’t think gay roles have to be reserved for gay actors. “Does that mean I can’t play straight parts and I’m not allowed to explore the fascinating subject of heterosexuality in Macbeth?”
McKellen talked about it on BBC2 recently addressing the controversy surrounding the casting of Dame Helen Mirren as Golda Mier, Israel’s Prime Minister.
“There are two things: Is the argument that a gentile cannot play a Jew, and is the argument therefore that a Jew cannot play a gentile?” McKellen replied when asked about the backlash over the fact that Mirren is not Jewish. He then took his answer one step farther, touching on his own feelings as a gay man in Hollywood.
“Is the argument that a straight man cannot play a gay part, and, if so, does that mean I can’t play straight parts and I’m not allowed to explore the fascinating subject of heterosexuality in Macbeth?” McKellen asked incredulously. “Surely not. We’re acting. We’re pretending.”
McKellen also warned fans on Instagram of a copy cat account:
I have been made aware that a man impersonating me, and two women posing as my representatives have recently approached a promoter in Kent, with the offer of a “private signing” by Ian McKellen.
I am very sorry for anyone who has sent in photos and items to be signed by this fraudulent impersonator. I understand that the promoter has offered to make refunds as soon as possible.
To be clear, I have never attended paid signings. I do sign for charity and for individuals who submit items directly to me.
View this post on Instagram
