Sir Ian McKellen: X-Men “are like gays – cast out by society for no good reason”
IN an interview with BuzzFeed, actor Ian McKellen recounted how X-Men director Bryan Singer presented an LGBTI perspective to convince him play the role of villain Magneto.
“I was sold by Bryan [Singer] who said, ‘mutants are like gays. They’re cast out by society for no good reason, as in all civil rights movements, they have to decide: Are they going to take the Xavier line — which is to somehow assimilate and stand up for yourself and be proud of what you are, but get on with everybody — or are you going to take the alternative view — which is, if necessary, use violence to stand up for your own rights.’ And that’s true. I’ve come across that division within the gay rights movement.”
During the interview McKellen – who is also famous for playing Gandalf in the The Lord of the Rings series – also praised Ellen Page for her recent decision to publicly come out, and reflected on the popularity of the X-Men comics within minority groups, including young gay men.
Watch some of the interview below:
h/t: Buzzfeed
