Thespian and all-round great guy Ian McKellen is to star as Sherlock Holmes in the upcoming film Mr Holmes, which is to be released this summer.

McKellen is to play Holmes as an elderly man who is unable to come to terms with his diminished mind, while attempting to solve a 50 year-old murder case.

Set in 1947, 93 year-old Holmes is now living in a Sussex village with his housekeeper and her rising detective son. However, Holmes’ memory isn’t what it used to be, so he only remembers fragments of the case. He joins forces with his housekeeper’s son to solve the case which caused him to leave his profession as a detective.

Released just in time for its first screenings at the Berlinale, Berlin’s international film festival, producers have teased fans with a 90 second excerpt. Directed by Bill Condon, the film is based on Mitch Cullin’s 2005 novel A Slight Trick of the Mind.

“Sherlock Holmes at 93 is retired, still solving mysteries: but here’s the sting – he also keeps bees,” McKellen told Den of Geek, “So many splendid actors have already played the part, but none of them had Bill Condon directing. I’m the lucky one: and I’m excited.”

The film, slated for release summer 2015, will also star Laura Linney as the housekeeper Mrs Munro. Joining them onscreen is Nicholas Rowe, best known for his role as Holmes in Young Sherlock Holmes and Frances de la Tour, McKellen’s Vicious costar – we’ve come full circle!

Watch the teaser scene below: