Sir Ian McKellen's Reddit AMA: On Shakespeare, LOTR, Boxers and More

Yesterday, stage and screen vet Ian McKellen did an AMA on reddit. As one would expect, it was chock-full of theatre stories and signature McKellen wit.

The Broadway, West End and LORD OF THE RINGS star touched on everything from which Shakespeare character he'd like to play before retiring, what he stole from the LOTR set, how he feels about gay marriage in the U.S., to his ideal companion and more.

Scroll down for some highlights from the Q&A, and click here for the full thing!

---

MACBETH (gasp!) was a lucky play for McKellen.

williamwright_20 - Have you ever had bad luck when saying the title of the Scottish Play?

Sir_Ian_McKellen_AMA - No. Macbeth! [shout it loudly] was a lucky play for me. As I was in a wonderful production with amazing cast. But I am careful not to mention the play, or quote it, in the dressing room as other actors can get nervous.

Chekhov stumped him.

two_off - Which role did you have the most difficulty getting into?

Sir_Ian_McKellen_AMA - There's usually for me a moment of despair for every part I play, worrying that I will ever convince myself that I inhabit the character. The worst case of that was "Wild Honey", based on Anton Chekov's first play. I tried to leave the production at the dress rehearsal. It's one of the biggest successes I ever had at the National Theatre in London. So, what do I know?

He's up for more Shakespeare!

TQH - Is there a character that you'd like to play before you retire from acting?

Sir_Ian_McKellen_AMA - Perhaps Antonio, in The Merchant of Venice, because he is one of the very few obviously gay characters in Shakespeare.

He told new best bud Sir Patrick Stewart not to do STAR TREK.

The1RGood - How has your relationship with Sir Patrick Stewart impacted your career, and your life?

Sir_Ian_McKellen_AMA - Patrick and I have known each other since we in the Royal Shakespeare Company in the 70s. Im the guy who advised him not to do Star Trek. We've recently become friends through X-Men and we did two plays together. and I married him to his lady Sunny. So all and all we've become very close to each other.

He wants a pet boxer!

eatingscromp - If you could raise any animal to be your sidekick for life, what would it be and why?

Sir_Ian_McKellen_AMA - A dog, preferably a boxer. Preferably a bitch. Preferably one who would outlive me.

He's a regular at quiz night.

Clarkyisafox - Do you do the quiz at your pub in Limehouse on Tuesdays?

Sir_Ian_McKellen_AMA - No, because quiz night is on Mondays. I'm usually there. My team did win once, no thanks to me.

He knows how to make some mean comfort food...

I_swear_Im_innocent - Sir Ian, what is your go to home cooked meal?

Sir_Ian_McKellen_AMA - I'll give you the recipe.

Slice potatoes thinly. Slice onions thinly. Grade some strong cheddar cheese. You slice some small tomatoes. And you layer those ingredients. And put them in a medium oven for one hour. And to make sure it's delicious as it always is, pour a little single cream over the potatoes, which should be the top layer.

Very comforting, quite nutritious, easy to make. Astound your friends.

He stole the front door to Bag End from LOTR.

space_cheese1 - Hi Sir Ian! What was your favorite memory from on set The Lord of The Rings movies?

Sir_Ian_McKellen_AMA - Many. Many. Many. The scenery that was built in the studio was sensational. And I think my favorite set, that I didn't act in, was the golden Liar, where the dragon was hiding. Hundreds of thousands of golden coins, specially made.

And if you don't tell anyone, I can tell you that I have some of those coins. Along with the font door key to Bag End, which i know Peter Jackson is looking for, but will never find.

He shared his feelings on the Supreme Court's gay marriage decision and what comes next.

pimp_skitters - Mr. McKellen, how do you feel about the recent groundswell of acceptance in the United States for the LGBT community, especially as one who has seen it change over the years?

Sir_Ian_McKellen_AMA - Social change usually happens slowly. The Supreme Court decision comes at the end of the process of argument, and confirms the change that has already happened. I'm just sorry that there are still people in the USA that are not yet ready to accept that the law should treat everybody the same. But they too will change. :)

Point21Gigawatts - Hello, Sir Ian! Thank you for being with us today. I am a huge admirer of the LGBT activism you have done over the years. Now that strides have been taken in many countries for equality, including the recent US Supreme Court decision, what do you think is the "next step" towards increasing rights?

Sir_Ian_McKellen_AMA - Changing the law is easy, it's just the mater of making the case. It's the matter of changing people's minds and that will take time. If you choose to be generous, you should look to the plight of LGBT people in countries where the laws are stacked against them. so be careful where you go for your vacation. Always check on the local laws if you want to be safe.

And he would never, ever, fight a Hobbit.

colorlessbacon - Would you rather fight 100 Hobbit-sized Balrogs, or 1 Balrog-sized Hobbit?

Sir_Ian_McKellen_AMA - I would never fight a Hobbit, no matter his size. So I would have to go with the first. 100 Hobbit-sized Balrogs is easy. Easy.