Ian McKellen Reveals the Iconic Role He Didn’t Want Patrick Stewart To Play

While their enduring bond is a celebrated fixture of Hollywood, Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen once faced a significant professional rift over a life-changing career move. In the late 1980s, Stewart was a staunch proponent of the classical stage and initially struggled to respect the shift toward television that many of his peers were making.

Despite his reservations, he eventually accepted the lead role in Star Trek: The Next Generation, even though he lacked any real understanding of the franchise’s massive cultural weight. At the time, Stewart felt conflicted about the transition and turned to McKellen, whose artistic judgment he held in the highest regard.

Unsurprisingly, McKellen was vehemently opposed to the move, cautioning Stewart that joining a sci-fi series would effectively end his reputation as a serious thespian. He urged his friend to stay the course in the theater, but Stewart eventually decided that the opportunity to lead an American television series was too unique to pass up.

Stewart reflected on the disagreement, noting that while he rarely ignores McKellen’s counsel, he believed theatre would return to my life whenever he was ready. He felt that the chance to play Captain Jean-Luc Picard was a fleeting one that might never present itself again if he declined.

In the decades that followed, McKellen eventually admitted that his initial assessment was incorrect, a confession that Stewart admits he enjoys hearing more than once. The success of the series not only turned Stewart into a global icon but also paved the way for McKellen to eventually join him in the realm of high-profile blockbusters.

The two ultimately became pillars of the X-Men film franchise, with their chemistry as Professor X and Magneto becoming a cornerstone of contemporary superhero cinema. Stewart has credited McKellen with teaching him invaluable lessons about living an admirable, selfless, and compassionate life beyond the stage and screen.

As of March, both actors are preparing for one of the most anticipated reunions in cinematic history. Marvel Studios has officially confirmed that Stewart and McKellen will reprise their iconic roles as Charles Xavier and Magneto in Avengers: Doomsday, which is scheduled for a major theatrical release on December 18.

The film, directed by the Russo brothers, features an expansive ensemble cast including Robert Downey Jr. as the villainous Doctor Doom and Chris Hemsworth as Thor. Filming for the project reportedly wrapped in late 2025 at Pinewood Studios, with the veteran actors expected to play pivotal roles in the multiverse-spanning narrative.

Beyond the screen, McKellen has continued to champion independent theater, recently completing a series of intimate performances at the Richmond Theatre to raise funds for the Orange Tree Theatre. He is also rumored to be in discussions to return as Gandalf for the upcoming film The Hunt for Gollum, which is expected to begin production later this year.

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