1990's
The 90's were a busy decade of filming. After the world theatre tour of Richard III, I prepared for the film version by writing its screenplay and "visiting" 11 other films in a variety of cameo and supporting parts. My reward was feeling more relaxed in front of the camera and more confident for the leading roles of Richard III, Dussander and James Whale. — Ian McKellen, June 2000
GODS AND MONSTERS (1998)
Director: Bill Condon
Writer: Bill Condon from Christopher Bram's novel "The Father of
Frankenstein"
Role: James Whale
Over 15 major critics awards, and nominations including the Golden
Globe®
and Oscar®
Co-starring: Brendan Fraser and Lynn Redgrave
Shot at Occidental Studios and on location in Los Angeles
APT PUPIL (1998)
Director: Bryan Singer
Writer: Brandon Boyce from Stephen King's novella.
Role: Arthur Denker, aka Kurt Dussander
Co-starring: Brad Renfro and David Schwimmer
Shot at Occidental Studios and on location in Los Angeles
SWEPT FROM THE SEA (1997)
Director: Beeban Kidron
Writer: Tim Willocks from Joseph Conrad's novella "Amy Foster"
Role: Dr Kennedy
Co-starring: Rachel Weisz, Vincent Perez, Kathy Bates
Shot on location in Cornwall
Stream:
BENT (1997)
Director: Sean Mathias
Writer: Martin Sherman from his own play
Role: Uncle Freddie
Prix De La Jeunesse, Cannes 1997
Co-starring: Lothaire Bluteau as Horst, Brian Weber as Rudy, and Clive
Owen as Max (McKellen's part in the
original stage production 1979)
With Mick Jagger in
drag as Greta
Music by Philip Glass
Shot on location in London
SURVIVING FRIENDLY FIRE (1997)
Director: Todd Nelson
Editor: Michael Hofacre
Role: Narrator
RASPUTIN (1996)
Director: Uli Edel
Writer: Peter Pruce
Role: Tsar Nicholas II
Golden Globe Award - Best Supporting Actor
Emmy nomination - Best Supporting Actor
Co-starring: Alan Rickman, Greta Scacchi, David Warner, John
Wood
Theatrical release outside of US, HBO TV in US
Shot on location in St. Petersburg and Budapest
RESTORATION (1995)
Director: Michael Hoffman
Writer: From the novel by Rose Tremain
Role: Will Gates
Winner of two Academy Awards: Costume Design and Art Direction
Co-starring: Robert Downey, Jr, Sam Neill, Meg Ryan, David Thewlis, Polly
Walker,
Hugh Grant
Shot on location in Dorset
RICHARD III (1995)
Director: Richard Loncraine
Writer: Adapted from Shakespeare by Richard Loncraine and Ian McKellen
Role: Richard III (Co-Producer & Co-Writer)
Golden Globe nomination - Best Actor
Felix Award - European Actor of theYear
London Evening Standard - Film of the Year
"Film 96" - "A Film of the Year"
Co-starring: Annette Bening, Dame Maggie Smith, Robert Downey, Jr., John
Wood, Jim Broadbent, Bill Patterson
Shot on location in Central London, Brighton, and Lancashire
JACK AND SARAH (1994)
Director: Tim Sullivan
Writer: Tim Sullivan
Role: William
Co-starring: Richard E. Grant, Samantha Mathis, Judi Dench, Eileen Atkins
Shot at Shepperton Studios and on location in Notting Hill Gate, London
THIN ICE (1995)
Director: Fiona Cunningham-Reid
Writer: Screenplay by Geraldine Sherman
Role: Himself
Shot on location in London and at the Gay Games, New York
COLD COMFORT FARM (1995)
Director: John Schlesinger
Writer: From the novel by Stella Gibbons
Role: Amos Starkadder
Co-starring: Eileen Atkins, Kate Beckinsale, Stephen Fry, Miriam Margolyes,
Rufus Sewell.
Shot on location in Sussex
THE SHADOW (1994)
Director: Russell Mulcahy
Writers: Walter B Gibson, David Koepp
Role: Dr Reinhardt Lane
Co-starring: Alec Baldwin, Tim Curry, John Lone, Penelope Anne Miller
I'LL DO ANYTHING (1994)
Director: James L Brooks
Writer: James L. Brooks
Role: Australian Action Movie Director
3-line cameo appearance with Nick Nolte and Albert Brooks. Originally meant to be a
musical by the Artist then known as Prince, whose contribution did not make it into the
final version.
SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION (1993)
Director: Fred Schepisi
Writer: John Guare, from his own play
Role: Geoffrey
Co-starring: Stockard Channing, Donald Sutherland, and Will Smith in his first major film
appearance
Shot on location in Manhattan
AND THE BAND PLAYED ON (1993)
Director: Roger Spottiswoode
Writer: Screenplay by Arnold Schulman from Randy Shilts' book
Role: Bill Kraus
Cable Ace Award - Best Supporting Actor
Emmy Nomination - Best Supporting Actor
Co-starring: Richard Gere, Steve
Martin, Matthew Modine, Lily Tomlin,
Shot on location in Los Angeles and San Francisco
Theatrical release outside of US
THE BALLAD OF LITTLE JO (1993)
Director: Maggie Greenwald
Writer: Maggie Greenwald
Role: Percy
Co-starring: Suzie Amis
Shot on location in Montana
LAST ACTION HERO (1993)
Director: John McTiernan
Role: Death
Co-starring: Arnold Schwarzenneger and F. Murray Abraham
Filmed on location in Times Square, NYC
2000's
Dates above are release dates.
