Ian McKellenis applauding formerX-MencostarElliot Pagefor his decision to come out as transgender.
In a new interview withAttitudemagazine, the 81-year-old British actor commended Page, 33, while reflecting on their time working together in the superhero film series.
“Everything gets better [when you come out because you get self-confidence],” said McKellen, who is openly gay. “So you get better in terms of relationships, friends of all sorts, family, if you’re lucky.”
“And in my case, I think in every case, your acting is bound to change and improve,” he added.
Ian McKellen, Elliot Page.Dave Benett/Getty; Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic
McKellen, who starred in theX-Menfilms as the villainous Magneto, recalled having a difficult time communicating with Page, who played Kitty Pryde/Shadowcat, on set at the time.
“I remember Elliot Page, in one of theX-Men, sat as close as we are now,” he said. “And I had to speak when they’d finished, and I couldn’t hear what they were saying. Nobody could hear what they were saying. So, I said, ‘Look, if you can’t speak up, would you mind when you’re finished speaking, just dropping your hand so I know when you’ve finished speaking?’
He continued, “And thenthey came out [as gay] years laterand suddenly you couldn’t stop them talking. You heard everything.”
“And now…they’re Elliot,” McKellen said of Page. “And I’m so happy for Elliot. And so disappointed in myself that I didn’t detect what their difficulty was with communicating.”
Elliot Page in X-Men: The Last Stand.20th Century Fox Film Corp./Everett
In December,Page released a lengthy and heartfelt statementon Twitter and Instagram, and shared: “I want to share with you that I am trans, my pronouns are he/they and my name is Elliot.”
“I will offer whatever support I can and continue to strive for a more loving and equal society,” Page added. “I also ask for patience. My joy is real, but it is also fragile. The truth is, despite feeling profoundly happy right now and knowing how much privilege I carry, I am also scared. I’m scared of invasiveness, the hate, the ‘jokes’ and of violence.”
Elliot Page.Elliott Page/Instagram
Page received an overwhelming amount of support after coming out, including from his formerJunocostar,Jennifer Garner, hisUmbrella Academycostars, and his wife,Emma Portner.
“I am so proud of @elliotpage. Trans, queer and non-binary people are a gift to this world,” Portner, 26,wrote on Instagramat the time. “Elliot’s existence is a gift in and of itself. Shine on sweet E. Love you so much.”
source: people.com
