He was involved in a fall accident at the theater last summer – but the accident won't stop Ian McKellen from continuing to work. The 85-year-old British actor tells BBC that he has no plans whatsoever to retire.
I'll keep going as long as my legs, lungs, and brain continue to function. With that said, I'm taking a break for the rest of the year, he says.
McKellen is perhaps best known for playing the wizard Gandalf in several of Peter Jackson's "The Lord of the Rings" films. With plans for two new films, to be directed by Andy Serkis who played Gollum in the earlier films, McKellen wants to be involved.
I've been told that there will be more films, that Gandalf will be included and that they want me to play him. I won't let anyone else take on that pointed hat and beard, he says.
It was in June that McKellen fell from the stage and injured himself during a theater performance in London. He was hospitalized and had to cancel the remaining performances.