At 86, Sir Ian McKellen remains a titan of the arts, but a terrifying mid-performance fall during 2024’s Player Kings has forced the legendary actor to confront a reality his fans aren't ready to face. In a new interview with The Sunday Times released this week, McKellen reflected on the "ever-present" nature of death, sparking a wave of tributes across the internet.
“But, yes, I have accepted that I’m not immortal,” McKellen told the outlet. “Yet I still function. And really the inevitability of mortality comes not just from what you are feeling about yourself, but the simple fact that your friends die — all the time. When you are young, death is astonishing, a fascinating thing, but it’s a feature of getting older. Death becomes ever present.”
On platforms like Reddit, the reaction was swift and visceral. For many, McKellen isn't just an actor; he is a generational touchstone. One user pleaded, “WE ARE NOT SPEAKING ABOUT THIS INTO EXISTANCE NO,” while another referenced the recent sting of other losses: “CATHERINE O'HARAWAS ENOUGH. NO MORE BADDIES CAN GO BEFORE HIM.”
The sadness regarding celebrity death was evident in fan's reactions. “Yes!!! That's enough heartache for the entire year. Can't bear the thought of losing another gem,” one fan wrote, as another admitted, “My heart sank to my butt.”
Despite the actor’s pragmatic take on the end of life—including his admission as an atheist that “there was more to be done”—fans are already planning their own grieving process. “I’m gonna need to take the day off work on bereavement leave ?? that’s MY grandpa for real,” one supporter shared. Others took a more humorous, albeit desperate, approach: “If he could make it another 50-ish years so I can make sure to die before him that’d be phenomenal.”
McKellen, however, seems more focused on the work ahead. He confirmed to The Times that filming for his return in The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is set to begin in 2027. Mirroring the spirit of a late friend who "didn't want to miss anything," McKellen ended on a high note: “And so what I feel about my life is that I’ve still got more to do.”
Next: 'The Lord of the Rings' Sequel Gets Official Release Date
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