Ian McKellen preparing for post-production on new film The Critic after stage fall

Virgin Radio

6 Jul 2024, 09:04

The Lord of the Rings legend is set to return to the studio to complete his film work after recovering from a stage mishap.

Ian McKellen, our beloved Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings, is making a valiant return to the film world after a rather unexpected tumble off the stage in June.

He took a fall during a performance of Player Kings at the Noël Coward Theatre in London. Sadly, the mishap meant that Sir Ian miss his remaining West End shows, with his understudy, David Semark, stepping in to save the day.

------------------------------------

DON'T MISS:

Fans have sad theory about Phoebe's triplets in Friends

Richard Osman shares exciting Thursday Murder Club movie update

Sir Keir Starmer opens up about ‘regret’ over relationship with father

------------------------------------

The drama unfolded on June 18 during a fight scene, where Sir Ian lost his footing and tumbled off the stage.

The 85-year-old actor injured his neck and wrist, but like the true wizard he is, McKellen is preparing to cast his spell once again, this time through the magic of post-production voice work for his latest movie, The Critic.

The period murder mystery film, where McKellen portrays the feared theatre critic Jimmy Erskine, initially received mixed reviews at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2023.

However, it's now getting a touch of movie magic before its grand release in the U.K. and Ireland on September 13.

Screenwriter Patrick Marber is busily crafting new lines for McKellen to record in a London studio.

Marber shared the exciting update, saying: "I'm literally writing some ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement) lines and VO (voiceover) as we speak, so we haven't delivered it yet, but it will be fully in the can within the next three weeks, ready for release.

"Once the pen touches paper, Ian will get a call. We will give him peace until it's written. It'll be done in the next two or three weeks. It's danger free and Ian's fine to do it," Marber reassured.

McKellen's journey back to work follows his withdrawal from the remaining performances of his play, Player Kings, to focus on recovery.

His trusty understudy Semark, donned the mantle of Sir John Falstaff for the rest of the London dates and the ongoing U.K. tour, ensuring the show went on.

In The Critic, McKellen's character Erskine, finds himself embroiled in a tantalising whodunnit alongside an actress and a newspaper editor, portrayed by the fabulous Gemma Arterton and the dashing Mark Strong.

The film has undergone significant changes since its Toronto debut, as Marber explained: "It's been massively re-edited and revised since Toronto. And now, I think it's really great.

"McKellen's giving an incredible performance, and Gemma's being brilliant. It's funny, and it's very dark, and I hope it will have some good life out there."

While we wait for the final touches on this cinematic gem, we can be certain that Ian McKellen’s performance will be nothing short of spellbinding.