Ian McKellen places little importance on awards.

The well-respected British actor has graced the screen for six decades, starring in notable films like “Scandal,” “Richard III,” and “Six Degrees of Separation.” His accolades include Tonys, Oliviers, Golden Globes, and Screen Actors Guild awards, yet the Oscar remains out of his grasp, despite nominations for 1998’s “Gods and Monsters” and 2001’s “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.”

“There are other metrics for success,” McKellen reflects. “It’s not logical to compare performances unless both actors are portraying the same role in different productions. On the whole, it’s the character that wins the Oscar, not necessarily the actor’s performance.”

In “Gods and Monsters,” McKellen acted alongside Brendan Fraser in a biopic about James Whale, a groundbreaking horror filmmaker recognized for his classics from the 1930s like “Bride of Frankenstein” and “The Invisible Man.” His heartfelt performance earned him multiple critics’ awards and an Independent Spirit Award for best male lead, yet he ultimately lost the Oscar for best actor to Roberto Benigni for “Life Is Beautiful”—partly due to a vigorous awards campaign by the now-disgraced Harvey Weinstein.

“Years later, Harvey Weinstein approached me and expressed regret for having ‘taken’ my Oscar,” McKellen humorously recalls. “I was simply like, ‘Thanks a lot, Harvey.’”

At 85, McKellen might be entering the Oscar spotlight again this fall with his role in “The Critic” (hitting theaters Friday). Initial reviews for this period drama have been lukewarm (39% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes), though critics have commended McKellen’s sharp performance. However, he faces tough competition this awards season from frontrunners like Colman Domingo (“Sing Sing”), Ralph Fiennes (“Conclave”), and Adrien Brody (“The Brutalist”).

“Who can really gauge what deserves recognition?” muses “Critic” director Anand Tucker. “What’s clear is that Ian has delivered an impressive performance that is both ‘courageous’ and ‘unflinching.’”

“It’s like watching Michael Jordan play basketball: someone so exceptionally skilled at what they do, they operate in a realm beyond thought,” Tucker states. “It’s mesmerizing to see someone reach that level.”

Ian McKellen feels the ‘Cats’ movie could have been improved

In “The Critic,” McKellen takes on his most prominent film role since the 2019 disaster “Cats,” which was adapted from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit dance musical. This controversial film received harsh reviews (19% fresh ratings on Rotten Tomatoes), with many criticizing its unusual digital effects that transformed actors into cats.

Despite the chaos, McKellen and his long-time friend Judi Dench emerged relatively unscathed, adding seriousness to a movie that was full of confusion.

“Judi and I had a wonderful time,” McKellen reflects. “I haven’t actually seen the full version of the movie – I stopped watching after I saw it before they added ears and tails. It might have been better without those extra effects.”

As the forgetful Gus the Theatre Cat, McKellen stood out among younger stars like Taylor Swift and Jennifer Hudson.

“I’m not a trained singer, and I’ve been told that I didn’t quite follow the rhythm and timing as intended,” McKellen reminisces. “However, after an early rehearsal, Andrew Lloyd Webber approached me, tearful, and asked, ‘Have you ever done musicals?’ I said no, and he exclaimed, ‘Why not?’ That was a nice moment. I would love to try another musical, but singing isn’t my strength.”

“Cats” first opened in London’s West End in 1981, before making its way

After an impressive 18-year run on Broadway, McKellen reminisces about his initial experience watching “Cats” in the U.K. alongside the show’s producer, Bernard B. Jacobs, and his eight-year-old niece.

During the intermission, Jacobs asked McKellen for his thoughts on the show. McKellen shared, “Amateur is not the right term, but Brits tend to appreciate performances that might not be flawless. I doubted it would succeed on Broadway given the high professional standards and the expectations of the audience.” Jacobs then turned to his niece, asking for her opinion, to which she replied, “I love it!” He chose to trust her view over McKellen’s.

“And that’s how I almost prevented ‘Cats’ from making its Broadway debut!”