Veteran Shakespearean actor Ian McKellen has labelled the Oscar-nominated film Hamnet “improbable” saying he does not “quite get it.”

The 86-year-old actor shared his views on the Oscar-nominated film in a recent interview.

The film imagines how the tragedy of Shakespear losing his child may have influenced the writing of Hamlet. But McKellen said the premise stretches credibility.

“I don’t quite get it,” he said. “I’m not very interested in trying to work out where Shakespeare’s imagination came from but it certainly didn’t just come from family life.”

He predicted the film is likely to win multiple Oscars but described elements of the story as unlikely.

“As Hamnet races towards the finishing line as far as Oscars are concerned, it’s likely to repeat the success of Shakespeare in Love, which had odd views as to how plays get put on,” he said.

McKellen also questioned the film’s portrayal of Shakespeare’s wife Anne Hathaway suggesting it was unrealistic to depict her as unfamiliar with theatre.

“The idea Anne Hathaway has never seen a play before? It’s improbable, considering what her husband did for a living. And she doesn’t seem to know what a play is! I think there are a few doubts of probability,” he added.

Hamnet has received eight Academy Award nominations including Best Picture and Best Director for Zhao.

Buckley is considered a frontrunner in the Best Actress category.

The film faces competition from titles including One Battle After Another by Paul Thomas Anderson and Sinners by Ryan Coogler.

The Oscars are set to take place on 15 March to decide Hamnet's fate.