Feature Documentary in the Works on Stage & Screen Star Ian McKellen

Variety reports that a feature documentary is in the works on the life and career of British actor Sir Ian McKellen. Directed by Joe Stephenson, the film will include segments from an exclusive 14-hour interview with the award-winning actor, and will feature rare archive material of early work from stage and screen, never-before-seen photography from McKellen's private collection, and cinematically reconstructed scenes from his life.

Commented Stephenson, "To a whole generation of cinema-goers Ian is known as Gandalf and Magneto, but here is an opportunity to show them his incredible, and inspiring trajectory from his modest childhood in the north of England to Tony winning star of the stage, from one of the first actors to speak openly about his sexuality to BECOMING an internationally recognized two-time Oscar nominee."

He continues, "While Ian has been interviewed many times, and lives a life very much in the public eye, we wanted to talk candidly to him about his journey and philosophy in a way that may not have been done. It's an honor to tell the story of someone still so relevant and active in our industry, and my hope is that an audience might walk out of the cinema as inspired by his journey as I am, feel like they better understand how he has got to where he is today, and celebrate not just his awesome achievements, but the man himself."

McKellen has received two Oscar nominations, one for his performance in 1999's "Gods and Monsters" and once for his signature role as Gandalf "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring." He has been Emmy nominated five times.

McKellen most recently appeared on Broadway in the revivals of Waiting for Godot and No Man's Land. His other Broadway credits include Dance of Death, Ian McKellen: A Knight Out at the Lyceum, Wild Honey, Ian McKellen: Acting Shakespeare, Amadeus -- which won him a Tony in 1981 -- and The Promise. In the West End, McKellen has starred in A Scent of Flowers, Richard II, Edward II, Macbeth, Othello, King Lear, The Seagull, The Tempest and many more productions.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos