Sir Ian shrugs off Cumberbatch comparisons at Holmes premiere

SIR IAN MCKELLEN dismissed comparisons with Benedict Cumberbatch, pictured, as he unveiled his big-screen take on Sherlock Holmes.

The actor, 76, has stepped into the shoes of the world’s most famous detective for Mr Holmes, featuring the sleuth’s years in dotage. At the premiere at Kensington Odeon — where he was embraced by old friend and X-Men co-star Sir Patrick Stewart — Sir Ian said the portrayal is “unique” as it shows Holmes struggling as a 93-year-old living out his retirement in a Sussex farmhouse, haunted by an unsolved case.

“Everything about this Holmes is different to what’s gone before,” Sir Ian said. “He is a very old man and he is looking back on his past and trying to solve the last puzzle which did not really come to completion way back.

“There was no point in upsetting myself when I realised how good everyone else has been. You take comfort from the fact there’s been a lot of very good Sherlock Holmes, suggesting it’s a rather good part. But this is no one else’s script, it’s entirely new. So there’s no point in comparing with other people.”

Sir Patrick told the Standard: “I have to be honest, the world is divided into Holmes fans and those who don’t give a damn — and I fall in the latter group.

“I only give a damn tonight because my friend is playing him. I don’t know why, I just never understood the attraction of Holmes.

“Ian has been very secretive about it. Usually I get a winkle of information out of him but not on this one. I think that bodes well because it means there’s a good film in store.”