9 best moments from Ian McKellen's Reddit AMA

From Gandalf to Magneto, Sir Ian McKellen has landed some pretty iconic roles over the years, but in a Reddit AMA today, he revealed that for a long time, he’s had his eye on one classic role in particular: Sherlock Holmes. He finally gets to play the legendary detective in the upcoming Mr. Holmes, and in his AMA, he dished on everything from what it’s like to be a knight to which props he swiped from the Lord of the Rings set. (We promise we won’t tell Peter Jackson.)

1. Christopher Lee always wanted to play Gandalf, and McKellen always wanted to play Sherlock Holmes.Comment from discussion IamA Sir Ian McKellen AMA!.

2. Being knighted isn’t all that exciting.Comment from discussion IamA Sir Ian McKellen AMA!.

3. He took a few souvenirs from the Lord of the Rings set. Comment from discussion IamA Sir Ian McKellen AMA!.

4. He should have his own cooking show.Comment from discussion IamA Sir Ian McKellen AMA!.

5. He’s excited about the U.S. Supreme Court gay marriage decision, but there’s still a long way to go.Comment from discussion IamA Sir Ian McKellen AMA!.

6. He almost walked away from a play during dress rehearsal.Comment from discussion IamA Sir Ian McKellen AMA!.

7. At 76, he’s still trying to learn new things about acting.Comment from discussion IamA Sir Ian McKellen AMA!.

8. He gives some really good advice.Comment from discussion IamA Sir Ian McKellen AMA!.

9. Battling balrogs is no sweat.Comment from discussion IamA Sir Ian McKellen AMA!.

You can read McKellen’s entire AMA here.

•Ian McKellen and 11 more faces of Sherlock Holmes in movies/TV

•Ian McKellen had the best time at New York City’s Gay Pride Parade

•Sir Ian McKellen on coming out: ‘I became not just a happier person, but a better actor’

•BFFs Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart lock lips at Mr. Holmes premiere