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1-20 of 26 articles from 2008   « Prev | Next »

15 July 2008 11:40 PM, PDT | From Digitalspy | See recent digitalspy news

Hayley Atwell has joined the cast of the ITV/AMC remake of cult '60s series The Prisoner. The 26-year-old, a regular in British period dramas (Mansfield Park, the upcoming Brideshead Revisited), told MTV that she will soon jet off to Namibia to work on the six-part series with Sir Ian McKellen and Jim Caviezel. Atwell described the new series as "ambiguous" and reflecting contemporary issues such as security concerns. "It's [about] this guy who gets taken into this village and everyone's got a number, not a name," (more)

By Simon Reynolds

15 July 2008 9:00 AM, PDT | From wenn.com | See recent WENN news

Legendary actor Sir Ian McKellen sparked reports he will be appearing nude in a forthcoming TV show after a network executive dodged questions on the subject.

McKellen is set to star in PBS' adaptation of the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of King Lear in the autumn.

The actor has said how much skin will be shown will be decided upon "what I think about it and also what the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) will allow".

But when confronted about unedited scenes, network President Paul Kerger commented only on the actor's on-screen talents, adding: "It's powerful. His entire performance is quite powerful."

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13 July 2008 11:12 PM, PDT | From Digitalspy | See recent digitalspy news

Sir Ian McKellen has claimed that he has received death threats over his sexuality. The actor made the revelation while speaking in support of a gay American preacher who has been excluded from the Anglican Church's ten-yearly conference. The church has declined to invite Bishop Gene Robinson to this week's Lambeth Conference, but he is planning to travel to Canterbury anyway. He and McKellen, who is also gay, will hold a question and answer session (more)

By Dave West

13 July 2008 4:06 PM, PDT | From wenn.com | See recent WENN news

Openly gay actor Sir Ian McKellan once received death threats because of his sexuality.

The Lord of the Rings star, who came out in 1988, claims to have been the victim of several threats against his life, and insists his native Britain is still intolerant of homosexuality.

He says, "There are deaths in public places on the grounds that the victim is gay. There is violence of language which can be related to violence in action."

But the 69-year-old has noted the number of intimidating threats has "declined considerably" as he has grown older.

He adds: "I think I've become rather boring to the public at large on this particular issue."

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11 July 2008 11:32 PM, PDT | From Digitalspy | See recent digitalspy news

Sir Ian McKellen has revealed that he wants to star in a film about his X-Men character Magneto. Speaking to the BBC, the actor claimed that he would only appear in the planned spinoff to bookend the movie. "There is a script knocking around for a spinoff but it will be a younger Magneto, so if I were involved it would just be topping and tailing the story," he explained. McKellen, who will introduce an all-night (more)

By Simon Reynolds

11 July 2008 11:53 AM, PDT | From wenn.com | See recent WENN news

Sir Ian McKellen is hoping to star in a new X-Men movie featuring his character Magneto.

The comic book series has already produced three major action films and a spin-off picture - X-Men Origins: Wolverine starring Hugh Jackman, which is due for release next year.

McKellen has revealed that film bosses are already looking over a script for a possible Magneto movie.

And he hopes it will be rewritten to give him a bigger part - as he was the first actor to bring the character to life.

He says, "I think it's a very good series. There is a script knocking around for a spin-off, but it will be a younger Magneto, so if I were involved it would just be topping and tailing the story."

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11 July 2008 7:00 AM, PDT | From PEOPLE.com | See recent PEOPLE.com news

Don't put Ian McKellen's cape in storage just yet. While there are no current plans for a fourth X-Men film, the actor says he'd be up for working in even a relatively small part on a prequel dedicated to his character, a misguided villain with power over all things metal. "There is a script knocking around for a spinoff, but it will be a younger Magneto, so if I were involved it would be just topping and tailing the story," the actor, 69, tells BBC News.If a Magneto film indeed goes forward, it would be the second spinoff featuring an X-Men character.

Michael Y. Park

1 July 2008 3:13 PM, PDT | From wenn.com | See recent WENN news

The Passion Of The Christ star Jim Caviezel will reprise Patrick McGoohan's role as Number Six in a TV remake of cult series The Prisoner.

Sir Ian McKellen has also signed on for the six-part series, which is expected to debut in 2009.

The original TV series, in which a kidnapped secret agent attempted to escape from a prison paradise, ran for 16 episodes from 1967 to 1968.

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25 June 2008 9:06 AM, PDT | From wenn.com | See recent WENN news

Sir Ian McKellen has received another accolade from British monarch Queen Elizabeth II, in recognition of his acting work.

The Lord of the Rings star was knighted by the Queen in 1991 for his outstanding work and contributions to the theatre world.

The openly gay actor returned to royal residence Buckingham Palace in London on Wednesday, where he was presented with the companion of honour medal for his services to drama and equality.

Controversial author Salman Rushdie was also in attendance at the honours ceremony, where he received a knighthood.

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18 June 2008 5:04 AM, PDT | From wenn.com | See recent WENN news

Scottish actor James McAvoy has denied reports he is to take the lead role in the new movie version of Lord Of The Rings prequel The Hobbit.

J.R.R. Tolkien's novel is set to be turned into a major blockbuster under the direction of Guillermo del Toro and filming is due to begin in New Zealand later this year.

McAvoy was reportedly favourite to take on the lead role of hobbit Bilbo Baggins - previously played by Ian Holm in the Lord of the Rings trilogy - while Sir Ian McKellen will reprise his role as Gandalf .

But McAvoy denies he has been approached by producers for the project.

He tells TheCelebrityTruth.com, "I'm a huge fan of the Tolkien saga, everything to do with Middle Earth. But no, there's no truth in the fact that they've approached me yet."

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11 June 2008 7:21 AM, PDT | From Digitalspy | See recent digitalspy news

Radio DJ and former I'm A Celebrity... winner Tony Blackburn has expressed his desire to appear in Coronation Street. The 65-year-old, who triumphed in the Australian jungle in 2002, is such a huge fan of the Manchester-based soap that his dream is to follow in the footsteps of Sir Ian McKellen, Noddy Holder and Status Quo in making a guest appearance. He told Men: "My one big ambition left in life now is just to get a walk-on part (more)

By Kris Green

29 May 2008 12:09 AM, PDT | From wenn.com | See recent WENN news

Scottish actor James McAvoy has been tipped to take the lead role in the new movie version of Lord Of The Rings prequel The Hobbit.

J.R.R. Tolkien's novel is set to be turned into a major blockbuster under the direction of Guillermo del Toro and filming is due to begin in New Zealand later this year.

Sir Ian McKellen will reprise his role as Gandalf and McAvoy is rumoured to be the favourite to take the lead role of hobbit Bilbo Baggins.

The character was played by Ian Holm in the previous films of the fantasy franchise, but he is due to be replaced by a high profile star for the new movie.

A source tells British newspaper the Daily Express, "A number of names have been doing the rounds, including Daniel Radcliffe and Jack Black, but James (McAvoy) is the one the film's bosses really want.

"They're expected to have talks soon so hopefully it could be confirmed in the not too distant future."

And director del Toro adds, "I can tell you it's down to a few names that we all agree upon. For our first choice, completely magically we all have the same name."

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28 May 2008 9:11 AM, PDT | From wenn.com | See recent WENN news

Lord Of The Rings author J.R.R. Tolkien's son is desperately trying to stop a new movie version of his father's novel The Hobbit.

Christopher Tolkien wants the two-film adaptation blocked until his family are paid the $200 million (GBP100 million) he claims they are owed by New Line Cinema bosses from the big-screen adaptations of the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

He will appear before a judge in California on 6 June in a bid to have The Hobbit movie "terminated", reports Britain's Sunday Times newspaper.

Guillermo del Toro will direct the new franchise, and Sir Ian McKellen will reprise his role as Gandalf. Shooting is due to begin in New Zealand later this year.

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7 May 2008 11:50 AM, PDT | From wenn.com | See recent WENN news

Blogger Perez Hilton is determined to expose gay celebrities because he can't understand why U.S. stars are so ashamed of their sexuality.

Hilton, who is openly gay, is known for making jokes about celebrities' sexual preferences on his internet gossip page but insists he is not deliberately being offensive - he just wants to make homosexuality more acceptable in America.

And Hilton, real name Mario Lavandeira, is convinced that if gay celebrities are accepted in Britain, it won't be long before attitudes in the U.S. change.

He says, "Yes (it is a noble cause). In the U.K., it's Ok to be gay - and not just Elton (John) or Ian McKellen but other stars such as Will Young and Matt Lucas. And I don't see why it's Ok there but not in America."

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1 May 2008 5:19 AM, PDT | From wenn.com | See recent WENN news

Sir Ian McKellen is taking a break from acting - because he is desperate to catch up on new releases at the cinema.

The X-Men star loves working on major movies, but his hectic schedule means he has very little time to indulge his real passion for film.

So McKellen has deliberately scheduled a break from work before his next project - Lord Of The Rings prequel The Hobbit - so he can watch more movies and support his fellow thespians.

Speaking at the London premiere of Speed Racer on Tuesday, he said, "I've come to support (the film's stars) Roger Allam and my dear friend Susan Sarandon.

"I'm having a rest, which means I can attend things like this. I'm taking a break until the autumn."

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30 April 2008 9:11 AM, PDT | From wenn.com | See recent WENN news

Legendary actor Sir Ian McKellen has confirmed he will revive his famed role as wizard Gandalf in the movie adaptations of J.R.R. Tolkien's novel The Hobbit.

McKellen, who has appeared as Gandalf in all three Lord Of The Rings films, had made no secret of his desire to land the part - even though Peter Jackson would not be directing.

Guillermo del Toro has been named as the director of the two movies to be made back-to-back in New Zealand - the first an adaptation of the novel, and the following an original story focusing on the 60 years between the book and the beginning of the Lord Of The Rings trilogy.

The actor tells Empire magazine, "Yes, It's true. It's not a part that you turn down. I loved playing Gandalf."

"I spoke to Guillermo in the very room that Peter Jackson offered me the part and he confirmed that I would be reprising the role."

He also confirmed that del Toro would be starting the script after he finishes filming his current project, Hellboy II: The Golden Army, in six weeks time, saying, "As to how it's going to work over two films and what going to happen on screen, well Guillermo has not got down to working out the major details yet - I can tell you it's going to be amazing though."

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30 April 2008 2:52 AM, PDT | From Digitalspy | See recent digitalspy news

Sir Ian McKellen has confirmed that he will play Gandalf in a two-movie adaptation of The Hobbit.

The actor said that director Guillermo Del Toro recently offered him the wizard role, and admitted that he couldn't turn it down because he "loved" the character.

He told Empire: "Yes, it’s true. I spoke to Guillermo in the very room that Peter Jackson offered me the part and he confirmed that I would be reprising the role.

"Obviously, it’s not a part that you turn down, I loved playing Gandalf.

"Guillermo . . .

Alex_Fletcher_imdb_@digitalspy.co.uk (Alex Fletcher)

7 April 2008 12:14 AM, PDT | From wenn.com | See recent WENN news

Sir Ian McKellen is confident he will reprise his role as Gandalf in The Lord Of The Rings prequel - insisting the casting is "finished business".

The actor believes he will appear in The Hobbit - Peter Jackson's prequel to the Lord Of The Rings trilogy - because he has reached "advanced discussions" with the film's makers.

He says, "It's sort of finished business really. I think I will be in the film.

"The first film will be released in 2011 and the second in 2012. The first is The Hobbit, and the second connects the story and (sequel) The Lord Of The Rings, it brings it all together."

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27 March 2008 12:12 AM, PDT | From wenn.com | See recent WENN news

Lord Of The Rings star Sir Ian McKellen fears he may not be signed up to reprise his role as Gandalf in the franchise's forthcoming prequel The Hobbit.

The British actor played the wizard in the first three adaptations of Jrr Tolkein's novels and the character also appears in the book version of The Hobbit.

But McKellen hasn't been approached about the forthcoming big screen adaptation of the fantasy epic, which is due to go into production next year, and insists his inclusion is not a foregone conclusion.

He says, "Encouragingly, (Lord of the Rings director) Peter (Jackson) and (producer) Fran Walsh have told me they couldn't imagine The Hobbit without their original Gandalf. Their confidence hasn't yet been confirmed by the director (Guillermo Del Toro), but I am keeping my diary free!"

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26 March 2008 10:04 AM, PDT | From Studio Briefing | See recent Studio Briefing news

On Ian McKellen's official website Tuesday, a fan asked, Have you been approached yet by [producer] Peter Jackson or anyone else about reprising your wonderful role as Gandalf for the two upcoming Hobbit movies?" McKellen responded: Encouragingly, Peter and [co-producer] Fran Walsh have told me they couldn't imagine The Hobbit without their original Gandalf. Their confidence hasn't yet been confirmed by the director Guillermo del Toro but I am keeping my diary free for 2009!"

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1-20 of 26 articles from 2008   « Prev | Next »