Ian McKellen > Quotes

“I don't like using the word evil because it sounds as if that's all there is to be said about the person. I don't think Richard III is evil, I don't think it's helpful to say that...Iago he's not evil. Iago didn't get the job, he thinks his wife's been unfaithful to him, he doesn't like black people, he's extremely talented and very unfulfilled and he's a wonderful liar, and he's a mischeif maker and he does some dreadful, dreadful things. But that's already interesting, isn't it? Ooh, who is this guy? But if you just say "ah oh he's evil" how can you play that? I don't know how you play an evil person.”
― Ian McKellan

“WOLF BROTHER is the kind of story you dream of reading and all to rarely find.”
― Ian McKellan

“One of the few lessons I have learnt from studying people who do terrible things is that they are all too human. And that we are all capable of doing almost anything.”
― Sir Ian McKellen

“Of course we all know that in rehearsal, without costume or make-up or scenery or lights, with just close attention on what's going on, a play is often revealed more excitingly than when it's dolled up and put into the theatre.”
― Ian McKellen, Ian McKellen on Macbeth: Performing Shakespeare