As it should be: Magneto battling The X-Men.

Actor Ian McKellen talks about Magneto's costume, Toad's green make-up, and the 'thespian grumps'.

November 24, 1999

With security tight on the set of The X-Men, one of the most reliable sources of information has been, surprisingly enough, actor Ian McKellen. McKellen, who's playing the nefarious arch-villain Magneto in this hotly-anticipated flick, has been keeping fans posted with what's been happening on the set, and adding his own personal take on acting, moviemaking, and more.

This week's update addresses some of the weather problems they've been having on the set, the costumes for Magneto and Mystique, and a few tidbits on the Toad and Magneto's secret lair.

Regarding the weather, McKellen said, "It has been distracting waiting for the right weather; it sets me on edge so I can't read anything more complicated than a crossword puzzle or the ingredients on the delicious chocolate milk provided by Craft Services (the non-stop fast and free food truck)."

The weather has caused some delays for McKellen's scenes, some of which are shot in the open-air portion of Magneto's secret lair, located about 70 miles of Toronto in Hamilton, Canada.

While waiting for the weather to clear, McKellen says he sometimes chats with co-star Patrick Stewart (Professor X).

"I lounge in my luxurious Winnebago trailer, next door to Patrick Stewart, who drops in from time to time for a reminiscence about the British theatre of our youth, before he trekked or we both discovered film as a way of life."

McKellen also addressed what has been a hot topic for X-Men movie watchers of late: the characters' costumes.

"Magneto's work-uniform is a tight fit, inspired by the comic strip design but influenced by the latest catwalk fashion," McKellen said. "It involves a maroon-lined cloak, a steel-grey tunic and pants and boots and a deep-red fiberglass helmet. I hope it looks as good as it feels to wear. And, yes, Magneto has a wide metallic belt as X-Men fans would expect.

"But pity Rebecca Romijn-Stamos in her blue Mystique disguise, a makeup that takes four hours to apply and leaves her almost naked with no protection against the night cold. Never a word of complaint, though."

McKellen also described the appearance of Sabretooth and Toad.

"Magneto's closest brethren are Sabretooth and Toad -- hirsute Tyler Mane striding out at 7'4" and Ray Park, his complexion painted bright green," McKellen said. "The makeup effects are achieved by a team led by Ann Browdie, my compatriot whom I worked with on A Touch of Love, my first film.

"The makeup and hair trailer, specially designed to accommodate up to a dozen actors and technicians, is a nest amongst the jungle of vehicles that convey the film's support system," he said. "It is warm with efficient heating and good humour, melting early morning or late-night thespian grumps."

To read the rest of McKellen's update, follow this link, and to get the rest of our rundown on the movie, go here.

Have you bookmarked McKellen's webpage yet? Let us know, ask a question about this story, and check in later for the responses!

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