Ian McKellen Searched for His ‘Inner P-ssy’ – to Prep for ‘Cats’ Movie Musical (Video)

How did “Lord of the Rings” and “X-Men” star Ian McKellen prepare for playing a feline in the upcoming film adaptation of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical “Cats”?

“Well, at the moment, I’m looking for the inner p-ssy,” he said on Friday’s “The Graham Norton Show,” causing the audience to interrupt him with laughter before he finished his train of thought.

“The mugginess that is within us all,” he continued. “I’m not doing very well at it.”

McKellen joked that he thought of going on a “cat diet,” just eating cat food on the weekends to really get into character, but that approach had its drawbacks.

Also Read: Judi Dench Is Latest Addition to 'Cats' Cast

“I’ve always thought that tinned cat food smells as if it might be rather tasty… it isn’t,” the actor said.

McKellen will play Asparagus aka Gus the Theatre Cat, who is described as old and frail, yet revered.

Oscar-winning director Tom Hooper (“Les Miserables”) begins filming “Cats” filming in Hertfordshire, England, next month. The film, set for release on Dec. 20, 2019, also stars Judi Dench, Idris Elba, James Corden, Taylor Swift and Jennifer Hudson.

Watch McKellen crack up his fellow guests Michael Buble and Carey Mulligan in the clip above.