Ian McShane, a veteran actor with over six decades of experience in film, television, and theatre, has become a familiar face in American entertainment, particularly for his roles as mentors and authority figures. His roles in series like "Deadwood" and "American Gods," and film franchises like "John Wick" and its spinoff, "Ballerina" showcase his ability to imbue characters with wisdom and gravitas. McShane's commitment to his craft often involves physical transformations, including weight loss and gain, to better embody the characters he portrays.
Shedding Weight for Deadwood
When Deadwood fans tuned into the long-awaited two-hour revival movie, they encountered a strikingly different Al Swearengen. "You can't drink that much and not have it affect you in some way," Ian McShane cryptically told TVLine of his brash, foul-mouthed alter ego's gaunt appearance in the film, which picks up a decade after the conclusion of the acclaimed drama's third season. "His brain is as sharp as ever, but physicality takes a toll. I grew the facial hair and lost a bit of weight to play Mr. Swearengen again.
The Physicality of Wilson in American Star
In Gonzalo López-Gallego's "American Star," McShane plays Wilson, a seasoned assassin who becomes unexpectedly involved in the life of a French expatriate and a lonely child. McShane felt Wilson needed to have a different physique and gait than he’s brought to past roles. “I’m not a crazy workout guy, but in each role, at the core it’s you - but you adopt something else. And I think if you think about what you’re doing, it comes out physically too,” he says. McShane explains that he was "fully prepared" after being involved with the project for five years. "By the time we started shooting, I knew the walk I wanted to have. I knew the way he wanted to shoot it."
Mentors and Gravitas
McShane reflects on how working with cinema giants like Richard Burton, Robert Mitchum, and George C. Scott influenced his approach to acting. He notes that these actors were "regular good guys" who simply "got on with it and did the acting." McShane believes that age and experience contribute to an actor's ability to portray characters with wisdom and gravitas. “Over the years, you acquire a gravitas."
Genre Awareness
With almost 150 credits to his name, McShane is aware of a character’s responsibility in a story and the genre in which he’s operating. He appreciated that “American Star” took a different approach than he’d seen to the familiar tropes of films about slick assassins. “I think about the scaffolding of the genre because it started off more as a classic hitman movie,” he says. “I think it’s very boring if it’s just a guy killing. But the very fact that he gets to the island, and he gets drawn in by the kid and then the woman, and then her mother. And he tries to get himself out of it, but it’s too late to take charge of anything. “It’s a genre that’s been explored forever, the lone guy who’s an angel of death,” he continues. “I love those kinds of movies, but this is more of a mood piece. That choice marks a dramatic contrast from the role that’s kept him busy now for ten years, Winston Scott, the mysterious owner of the criminal underground weight station, the Continental, in the “John Wick” franchise.
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The Enigmatic Winston Scott
While Winston Scott in the "John Wick" franchise is not heavily involved in the series’ bloodletting, McShane is happy to be part of the successful franchise. He has even contributed to the character's mystique, suggesting the tattoo on Winston's hand and the last line being delivered in Russian. McShane attributes his willingness to make suggestions with Winston to the confidence that Stahelski has placed in him throughout the series.
The Nuances of Storytelling
McShane believes that originality lies in the execution and the subtle twists within familiar narratives. “Everything’s been done before, but it’s the way you do it. If there’s a little twist in it, that’s good. And I think we did that with ‘American Star’,” McShane says. “It wasn’t a bang-up, shoot-em-up. It was more psychological.
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