Veteran actor Ian McKellan has spoken about the character of Sherlock Holmes, saying he wouldn't want to hang out with him.
McKellan plays an aged, retired Holmes in an upcoming movie in which the detective looks back on his life and tries to unravel an unsolved case.
The actor said: "I can’t imagine wanting to spend any downtime with Sherlock Holmes. He’s so bossy, and sure of himself.
"The revelation of our Mr Holmes," he says, referring to the film of which he is star, "is that the real Sherlock is full of self-doubt and capable of learning to like and even love other people.
In yesterday’s The Guardian webchat (Friday June 5) McKellan revealed that napping is the key to his career longevity. “I think of work as play. Something to stimulate and enjoy. And I take a nap in the afternoon.”
Aside from acting, he has considered career paths such as chef, journalist, or teacher. “Had I done any of these I would have probably retired by now.”
His two greatest fears are "forgetting my lines" – that’s the professional fear – but also "being in a car crash".
Mobile phone overuse he believes just points up loneliness. "It always baffles me as to how many friends people on their cell-phones seem to have, until I lean over their shoulder and I realise they’re playing some game. They’re playing Solitaire, and disguising how lonely and miserable they are."
The film reunites McKellen and Gods and Monsters director Bill Condon and is adapted from the Mitch Cullin novel, A Slight Trick of the Mind. The film is released on Friday June 19.
