The life of Lord of the Rings star Ian McKellen who played the iconic role of Gandalf in the films is now going to be on film. The renowned British actor will be the focus of a new documentary from Joe Stephenson, titled McKellen: Playing the Part. Stephenson, who recently released his first film Chicken, conducted a 14-hour interview with McKellen reflecting on long career. The documentary will also include archive material from McKellen’s early film and theater performances, as well as the actor’s personal photography. It will show his journey from a modest childhood in the north of England to becoming a Tony winning star, from being one of the first actors to speak openly about his sexuality to becoming an internationally recognized two-time Oscar nominee.
Here's a look at a few other must watch documentaries on noted celebrities
This Is It (2009)
Weeks before his passing the King of Pop was preparing for his already sold out shows in London which was all being documented “ right from the auditioning dancers speaking on camera about what it meant for them to be in this concert to the rehearsals and backstage drama, all of was recorded on film. However with MJ passing away before the show, the documentary was then released as a tribute to one of the best musicians the world has ever known.
Justin Bieber: Never Say Never (2011)
He started out as a young kid whose voice was often the object of ridicule. But over the years, Justin Bieber has grown into a worldwide phenomenon who continues to be loved despite all his starry tantrums. This film follows how the young man went from being a YouTube sensation to a stadium filling performer.
Katty Perry: Part of Me (2012)
Filmed during her California Dreams world tour with interviews and footage from her early days, the film hits viewers hard when the cameras capture the moment of how Katty Perry puts on a brave face and goes on to sing to a sold out concert in South America just an hour after Ryssell Brand told her he wanted a divorce.
One Direction: This is Us (2013)
They may be on a supposed long hiatus with hopes dwindling of the band ever getting back together, it cannot be argued that there was something special about One Direction when they were together. The film tracks the journey of the five youngsters Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson and Harry Styles from their humble beginnings to their sucess at X-Factor to the forming of the band.
Backstreet Boys: Show 'Em What You're Made Of (2015)
One of the most popular band of the 90's, this film which was hot over a period of two years looks at how the band Backstreet Boys came to be. The film provides an honest glimpse into the loves of the band members from their world wide stardom to their fall from fame and how they got back right up there agin. It leaves out almost nothing- from AJ's drug and alcohol abuse to Brian's struggle with his singing voice and the band's conflicts with their first manager Lou Pearlman, it has all been documented.
Madonna: Truth or Dare (1991)
Although this film was called In Bed with Madonna in the UK it was changed in the US because it was considered to be too racy. The film follows her during her Blonde Ambition Tour, giving an intimate look into the life of the pop star. From awkward encounters with old friends and family members, close encouters with her backing dancers “ everything has been captured in this film.
Spice Girls: Giving You Everything (2007)
While only three of the band members of the iconic girl band Spice Girls are all set to tour together this time around, the Spice Girls earlier reunited in 2007 for a world tour after a gap of nine years all of which was documented. The girls talked about everything in this film ” babies, boys, and Ginger Spice’s infamous departure in 1998.
