He’s a national treasure: an acting colossus whose extraordinary repertoire has taken in everything from Alfred the Great to Zebedee. And with the Da Vinci Code and X-Men 3 due for release next month, Sir Ian McKellen is showing no sign of putting up his feet. Here, he talks to Simon Garfield about American homophobics and English eccentrics, and why doing Corrie proves ‘he can’t be a star’. [More]

Garfeimao writes: Last year at the Newport Beach Film Festival, it was “Ringers: Lord of the Fans” and Billy Boyd’s short “Instant Credit” making LOTR fans happy. This year it will be Sir Ian’s “Neverwas” on opening night, April 20, Viggo’s “Spirit Riders” the following day and David’s “Three Dollars the next week. The Newport Beach Film Festival has something for everyone, features, shorts and documentaries from around the world. It even features a legendary Fan Made film called “Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation”. For an exclusive TORn interview with the filmmakers, please click here! [More]

For the full schedule and ticketing info, please head to the Festival Website.

Adele writes: In the May issue of Empire Magazine there is an interview with Ian McKellen. You can also find it online on EmpireOnline.com: ‘The only grande Dame with a knighthood, Ian McKellen talks Twankey, Magneto and an extraordinary career…’ Scroll down page and click on ‘Sneak Peek.’ [More]

Adrian writes: I was wondering if you could mention in your news section that the film “Guerrilla Distribution” is being made available to download from www.realkong.co.uk. Guerrilla Distribution is a mockumentary about two guerrilla filmmakers who have decided that they are going to rip off Peter Jackson by making King Kong and selling it pretending it to be his version.

Set in the summer of 2005, the documentary crew follow the pair as they desperately try to meet their deadline using every trick they know. Guerrilla Distribution features appearances from Brian Sibley, Ramon Rivero and Sir Ian Mckellen. It is aimed at fans of Peter Jackson, King Kong, and Lord of the Rings and so should be welcomed by those who visit your website. [More]

The Donmar Warehouse’s new season kicks off Feb. 23 with the world premiere of Mark Ravenhill’s The Cut, which marks the Donmar debut of Sir Ian McKellen. Directed by the theatre’s artistic director Michael Grandage, The Cut officially opens on Feb. 28. The play centers on Paul (McKellen) who, according to production notes, is a loving husband harboring a shocking secret. McKellen is joined by Deborah Findlay, who appeared in the National Theatre production of Ravenhill’s Mother Clap’s Molly House and was last seen at the Donmar in The Vortex, Grandage’s inaugural production for the theatre as artistic director. [More]