Sir Ian McKellan, who stars in the upcoming film "The Hobbit," reportedly told a British publication he has been battling prostate cancer for a few years now but his rep said Tuesday the quotes were taken out of context and the actor is cancer-free. 

When a biopsy test revealed he had cancerous cells, the 73-year-old chose to closely monitor it with regular tests to make sure it does not spread instead of having undergoing treatment to remove it, according to Britain's The Sun. The report added that McKellan said the following:

"You do gulp when you hear the news. It's like when you go for an HIV test, you go, 'Argh, is this the end of the road?'...You are 'waitful watching.' I've had it for six or seven years, when you have got it, you monitor it and you have to be careful it doesn't spread. But if it is contained in the prostate, it's no big deal.

"You can have an operation, but there is no point me having an operation because there is no need for it. They are concerned about the cancer spreading outside the prostate. If it doesn't you are fine."

"The Lord of the Rings" actor added that he feels "absolutely fine" thanks to daily exercise. 

On Tuesday, however, McKellan's rep, Chris Andrews, told ABC News that the actor does not have prostate cancer. 

"No, he does not have prostate cancer.... That was taken out of context and from an interview from years ago," Andrews said.  

McKellen is expected to attend the premiere of "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" Wednesday night in London's Leicester Square. Along with two more "Hobbit" films, he will star in "X-Men: Days of Future Past" as the old mutant Erik "Magneto" Lehnsherr, expected to come out in 2014. 

Tags: ian mckellan The Hobbit the lord of the rings