McKellen, Stewart set to star in 'Godot'

LONDON, Nov. 1 (UPI) -- British actors Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart, who co-starred in the "X-Men" films, are to share a stage in a London production of "Waiting for Godot."

McKellen played villain Magneto and Stewart portrayed good-guy Professor Xavier in three "X-Men" superhero flicks.

The BBC said the actors are scheduled to co-star in a new staging of Samuel Beckett's 1955 "Waiting for Godot" play, which is slated to tour the United Kingdom before opening at London's Theatre Royal Haymarket in April.

Stewart is to play Vladimir and McKellen is to play Estragon, the British broadcaster said, adding the actors first collaborated at the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1977 on Tom Stoppard's play "Every Good Boy Deserves Favor."

McKellen is also known for his portrayal of the wizard Gandalf in the "Lord of the Rings" blockbusters, while Stewart played Captain Picard in the TV series "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and several "Star Trek" movies.