http://www.merryweatherjones.com/content/ian_mckellen_turns_to_voice_over_work Sat, 17 Feb 2007 01:40:29 GMT "X-men" villain Ian McKellen is set to provide the narration for Paramount's "Stardust," a live-action fantasy that has, apparently, already wrapped shooting.<br /> <br /> "Starfust," directed by Matthew Vaughn and starring the likes of Clare Danes, Robert DeNiro and Michelle Pfieffer, will be a "romantic fantasy" along the lines of the animated failure "Titan A.E.", which either featured the vocal work of Clare Danes or a Clare Danes proxy - can't remember.<br /> <br /> Nothing too exhilarating here, but the news of McKellen taking an "easy" job like this post-production narrative, coupled with my recollection of the final shot of X3 (spoiler!) -- of the disempowered, feeble Magneto sitting in the park playing chess like a confused geezer, makes me feel like that really <u>has</u> happened to McKellen.<br /> <br /> Like the days of seeing the stage vetern in anything resembling a physical role are far behind us -- no more midget wrestling in the 3rd aisle.<br /> <br /> If he'd really wanted to revisit the Gandalf character in "The Hobbit," which I understand he had an interesting in doing, maybe he should have been more persuasive with Peter Jackson in the immediate aftermath of the LOTR films. Too late now: New Line says Jackson's out and they're going ahead with another director. Feeble McKellen may or may not have any juice left in the Gandalf tank. <br /> <br /> <br /> Oh well-- at least we have three glorious Gandalfs in three pretty good films. Ian McKellen http://www.merryweatherjones.com/content/ian_mckellen_turns_to_voice_over_work http://www.merryweatherjones.com/viewcomments.php?articleid=149