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

1998 GODS AND MONSTERS
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

 

1998 APT PUPIL
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




 

1997 SWEPT FROM THE SEA
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



1997 BENT (1997)

Director: Sean Mathias
Writer: Martin Sherman from his own play
Role: Uncle Freddie
Prix De La Jeunesse, Cannes 1997
Co-starring: Luthaire Blutheau 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



1997 SURVIVING FRIENDLY FIRE
Director: Todd Nelson
Editor: Michael Hofacre
Role: Narrator

 

1996 RICHARD III
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



 

1996 RASPUTIN
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




1995 THIN ICE
Director: Fiona Cunningham-Reid

Writer: Screenplay by Geraldine Sherman
Role: Himself
Shot on location in London and at the Gay Games, New York City


1995 RESTORATION
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




1994 JACK AND SARAH
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




1994 THE SHADOW
Director: Russell Mulcahy
Writers: Walter B Gibson, David Koepp

Role: Dr Reinhardt Lane
Co-starring: Alec Baldwin, Tim Curry, John Lone, Penelope Anne Miller





1994 COLD COMFORT FARM
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




1993 AND THE BAND PLAYED ON
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



1993 SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION
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





1993 LAST ACTION HERO
Director: John McTiernan

Role: Death
Co-starring: Arnold Schwarzenneger and F. Murray Abraham

Filmed on location in Times Square, NYC



1992 I'LL DO ANYTHING
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.



1992 THE BALLAD OF LITTLE JO
Director: Maggie Greenwald

Writer: Maggie Greenwald
Role: Percy
Co-starring: Suzie Amis
Shot on location in Montana




Dates above are release dates.

Background images: Richard III, Dussander, James Whale

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