SPLICED Magazine Issue 04 April/May 2014 | Page 72

SPLICED Issue 04\r\n\r\nX-Men: Days of Future Past\r\n\r\nInterview with Ian McKellen, Erik Lehnsherr, X-Men: Days of Future Past\r\n\r\nDays of Future Past finds the X-Men, and all of mutant kind, on the brink of extinction. In a dark future, lethal Sentinel machines are hunting down and killing our heroes. With the battle nearing its end, Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart) and his old friend/enemy Erik “Magneto” Lehnsherr (Ian McKellen) must unite their forces for the common aim of ensuring mutants aren’t wiped from the face of the Earth.\r\n\r\nIan McKellen returns to the X-Men films for the first time since The Last Stand, playing the bitter, powerful mutant dedicated to protecting his kind no matter the cost. For the actor, it was a chance to inhabit one of his most famous roles again and spend time with his colleagues from the original three films. McKellen talks about the pleasure of seeing old friends, how Magneto has changed and what the films say to the world…\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWhere do we find Magneto in this film? The situation appears to be very dark.\r\n\r\nYou\'ll have to forgive me, because it\'s been a year since we filmed and I\'ve been busy since then, but yes, the enemy is about to strike and Professor Xavier works out a way with Wolverine of stopping it. And I did see some of the film when I was working on some ADR (Additional Dialogue Recording) and I must say it looks pretty spectacular. I\'m looking forward to seeing it all as much as any of the fans. \r\n\r\nWas Magneto a role you found easy to reclaim?\r\n\r\nYes, although he\'s a bit more temperate in this film than he\'s been in the past. The old rivalry, the old antagonism has gone and he\'s changed. He\'s come to a point where he has to do what\'s right for everyone, and he realises he needs his allies. But it was easy to get back into playing him - climbing into those clothes and those boots, and them putting me up on wires, because he still has his powers. And all my old friends were there, which was lovely. Of course, Bryan Singer was back with us, so that was great, plus some of his old colleagues. It was a bit like going to see family you haven\'t seen for a while. And then there were some new friends! \r\n\r\nDid you find it like a family reunion, then? Was it an easy one?\r\n\r\nGiven the years that have passed, you can\'t help but feel like you\'re in the older generation! But like all families, the youngsters grow up...\r\n\r\nAnd with Bryan returning, that must\'ve made it an easier rapport?\r\n\r\nI\'ve done four films with Bryan now, between Apt Pupil and the first two X-Men films and now this one. Bryan has grown as a director as well, and I\'ve always been very happy working with him. He\'s a director who knows what he wants and once he sees it on screen, he lets you know he\'s got it, and that\'s a great relief to me. When Bryan says, \"We’ve got it,\" I know we have, because he\'s so particular. I feel very safe with him at the helm. \r\n\r\nHad you noticed anything different since you last stepped into the world of the X-Men?\r\n\r\nThe costumes have changed a bit and there\'s a new element to the helmet - fans will be able to work out why that should be, given why he wore the helmet in the first place. But on the whole, no, it felt like just another episode... \r\n\r\nSinger’s X-Men films always have subtext, especially his X-Men movies. What does Days of Future Past bring?\r\n\r\nThe story about humans with superhuman power that can control the world around them the way the rest of us can\'t. For all that fantasy, it\'s in the service of a serious message. I think that\'s what sets X-Men apart from other superhero films. It\'s focused on people who are cast out by society for what they are, and that\'s an early thing Bryan said to me way back in the last century! I think Days of Future Past continues that.\r\n\r\nYou went to Comic-Con last year and met with the whole cast. Was there much fun to be had?\r\n\r\nIt was very fast and it can be hard work because they get you tied up with promoting the film, so it\'s not really a relaxing time with friends. Patrick and I were already rehearsing one of our plays in Berkley so we were flown down for one day! But it was enjoyable sitting with all those famous faces and fortunately we all got on. But making the film was more of a party - Bryan\'s directing style is that way, he gathers the right people together and makes sure that they enjoy themselves. And of course the reaction from fans was overwhelming.\r\n\r\nDo you get a lot of input into the character given your experience?\r\n\r\nNo, there was no need for that. It sort of played itself. But Bryan is very perceptive and the general outline was pretty clear. \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n