Sir Ian McKellen: I'm Not As Good A Magneto As Michael Fassbender But It'll Be A Gas In New 'X-Men'

Ever since we heard that Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart were to star in 'X-Men: Days of Future Past' we've been looking forward to hearing what the two veteran thesps would say about the movie, and their rivals for the roles.

'The Hobbit' star Ian McKellen can't wait to square-up to Michael Fassbender and says that Stewart looks forward to joining James McAvoy in the new film.

The actor said to The Huffington Post: "What a gas! I mean, Patrick Stewart and I have been have just been playing 'Waiting for Godot' throughout England and in the West End of London. So, we've stayed in touch. We can't believe it [laughs]. I thought these were Fassbender and McAvoy's parts, but -- no, no -- we're back."

He continued: "We'll give them a run for their money. I mean, I haven't read the script, so I don't know how much we've got to do. But, to be back in that world, and for Bryan to be doing it -- with all the success he's had in the meantime -- it's wonderful. Wonderful. 

Asked what he thought about Fassbender's take on Magneto in 'X-Men: First Class', the reboot of the franchise, he said: "Yeah! I thought he was exactly that: first class. Excellent.".

On whether he was jealous of Michael the star said: "That's my part. [Laughs] No. No. I thought he was better than me. But, we weren't quite playing the same character because he was so much younger than me. And the scope of Magneto, one day a Jewish actor will play it. Clearly, he's Jewish. We first meet him in at Auschwitz and there's scope for all sorts of people to play Magneto. But, I was just the lucky guy who got to play him first."

Another 'X-Men' veteran, Wolverine actor Hugh Jackman, has just announced that he is in talks to join the cast.

PHOTOS: 'X-Men: First Class'

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