Gandalf Takes On the Role of an Elderly Mr Holmes
July 10, 2014 by dracs
There is no doubt that, at present, Sherlock Holmes is riding high in popular consciousness. Now another actor is stepping up to take on the mantle, as Lord of the Rings and X-Men star actor Ian McKellen makes his first appearance as the 93 year old great detective.
The 75 year old actor has been cast in the role of the now elderly investigator in the upcoming movie Mr Holmes, which is itself an adaptation of A Slight Trick of the Mind by Mitch Cullin. According to Empire Magazine, the story itself will take place in 1947 long after Sherlock Holmes has retired and is now beginning to lose the faculty of his famous memory.
I have seen lots of adaptations of Sherlock Holmes, ranging from the modern day Sherlock and Elementary, to the awful kids' cartoon Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century, but the idea of an old Sherlock Holmes struggling to deal with the inevitable mental degradation of advanced age is an interesting one that hasn't really been explored before.
From the image Ian McKellan posted on his Twitter of himself in the role, we can see that he really suits the part and the film itself should hopefully explore the character by showing him in a new light.
Will this new film breath fresh life into a familiar character?
It’s good to see that Magneto still gets work.
Two great British institutions, Holmes and McKellen.
Wow, this sounds like it will be a great film.
This sounds really awesome, havent liked any of the recent modern holmes adaptations but this one sounds like it’ll be right up my street.
A great actor with an interesting role – this should be worth seeing.