“He did something on the first day which I’ve never forgotten – and it’s all about status, and it’s something that every actor learns in drama school but no one ever applies, because it means being selfless – and Ian is a very selfless actor … When I walked in the door of Bag End, Gandalf – this monumental figure, for me – bowed his head to me, in reverence to Thorin Oakenshield, the legendary warrior. And I remember thinking, ‘God, he’s giving me my status’ – and from that point on, I thought, well if Gandalf’s given it to me then everyone else has to give it to me as well – and you don’t have to therefore play any kind of false weight or status, because he’s given it to you … and he completely understood that.”
Richard Armitage on working w/ Ian McKellen
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