Ian McKellen plays aging Sherlock in drama 'Mr. Holmes'

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- In the his latest film, "Mr. Holmes", Sir Ian McKellen takes on the iconic role of detective Sherlock Holmes, visiting the character in the last years of his life. The Oscar-nominated actor and director Bill Condon offer a fresh twist to the classic.

"You think you know Sherlock Holmes and you don't," McKellen said. "What you should expect is to have your illusions about Mr. Holmes broken somewhat, although you see him solving mysteries in the way you like him to. But in the end, he's dealing with matters of the heart rather than the mind."

This version of Holmes shows him slightly frail and having problems with his memory, a very different take on the revered fictional detective.

"It's the part of a lifetime really," McKellen said. "Not only do I get to play a 93-year-old Sherlock Holmes unlike any other Sherlock Holmes has ever been, because of his age, but I also get to play him in his glory years in Baker Street solving mysteries 30 years before."

Laura Linney plays Holmes' housekeeper, whose young son is fascinated by the old man. Making this movie was truly a dream come true for the Oscar-nominated actress.

"I am a Sherlock Holmes fanatic and have been since I was a little girl," Linney said. "I'm just endlessly fascinated with this character and how he can be interpreted and reinterpreted and put in different situations with different genres, and you know, it's just fantastic, and I find I always want more."

"Mr. Holmes" is in theaters now in limited release.