Sir Ian McKellen is a busy man – he’s starring in a one-man show to celebrate his 80th birthday, and now will be the focus of a new website designed to help students.
The creators of documentary McKellen: Playing The Part will develop the interactive website to include hours of unseen interview footage that didn’t fit into the film.
The filmmakers will use the remaining footage make a free educational resource for students around the world to access. Visitors to the website will be able to scroll through a timeline of McKellen’s life and hear stories corresponding to a particular event.
Director Joe Stephenson interviewed the actor at his home over the course of several days, speaking about everything from his first theatre trip to gay rights activism to how he almost didn’t play Gandalf in Lord of the Rings.
The filmmakers were also granted access to McKellen’s private photo albums and archive, which will be used on the website.
In order to keep the website free to use, an IndieGoGo has been set up to crowdfund the project. Donations will be accompanied by a series of prizes. Find out how to donate here.
