What to make of Ian McKellen’s latest comments about Kevin Spacey and Bryan Singer?
Two of the biggest #MeToo scandals were Spacey and Singer’s troubling stories.– both are gay men, who kept their homosexuality hidden for a number of years, but that have been caught up in the most disturbing scandals imaginable, both involving sexually abusing under-aged boys.
“Lord of the Rings” and “X-Men” star McKellen has worked with both of them, but feels that their homosexuality is reason enough to explain their illegal behavior.
Speaking on a live #QueerAF Podcast, McKellen was asked about Singer and Spacey’s sexual abuse allegations, which, by the way, for Singer involved sexually assaulting an underage boy on the set of “Apt Pupil,” which, non-coincidentally, starred McKellen as the lead. Regardless, according to McKellen it’s their closeted homosexuality that should be blamed for the illicit behavior:
“Most of them were in the closet. Hence, all their problems as people and their relationship with other people. If they had been able to be open about themselves and their desires, they wouldn’t have started abusing people in the way they’ve been accused,” said the actor.
He continued by saying it’s “debatable” whether or not the accusations made against Singer and Spacey should have both artists blacklisted. If you remember, it was reported that Spacey is now getting offers to from Russia to star in films over there.
“I think that’s rather up to the public,” he elaborated. “Do you want to see someone who’s been accused of something that you don’t approve of? Do you ever want to see them again? If the answer is no, you won’t buy a ticket, you won’t turn on the television. But there may be others for whom that’s not a consideration.”
McKellen closed out by saying “frankly, I”m waiting for someone to accuse me of something,” he joked. “And me wondering if they’re not telling the truth and me having forgotten.”
Gunn has previously called Batman his “biggest issue” in the DCU and spoken at length about how difficult it is to develop a version of the character that feels distinct enough from Reeves’ vision.