Dumbledore role was first rejected by another Hollywood actor over brutal comment

The role of the iconic Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter movies was played by both Richard Harris and Michael Gambon. However, things could have looked very different, as one famous actor actually turned down the role.

Richard Harris sadly passed away in 2022, after filming two of the Harry Potter movies. Sir Micheal Gambon’s death was sadly announced on September 28, 2023. Both actors played the role exquisitely well, but it could have been so different if one Hollywood actor took the part.

Ian McKellen passed on playing Dumbledore

Known for his amazing portrayal of Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies, Mckellen quickly gained a space on the Wizard Hall of Fame. So when they were looking for a new Dumbledore after Richard Harris’ death, who else would they ask?

However, McKellen actually turned down the role because of a comment the original actor had made about him.

“When they called me up and asked if I would be interested in being in the Harry Potter films, they didn’t say what part. I worked out what they were thinking, and I couldn’t take over the part from an actor I know didn’t approve of me,” McKellen told BBC’s HARDtalk in 2017.

But what exactly did Harris say? He’d previously talked about Ian’s credentials as an actor, calling him “technically brilliant” but “passionless.”

The 84-year-old wasn’t the only one to have these comments made about him. The Harry Potter actor also directed them towards actors Kenneth Branagh and Derek Jacobi.

More actors who almost played Dumbledore

McKellen wasn’t the only one in the running to play the Headmaster of Hogwarts. After Harris’ tragic death, the producers knew they had big boots to fill, so of course, there were a lot of options to discuss.

However, even for the original role, there were a number of contenders. ScreenRant reports Sean Connery was in the running for the original role, however, he “was against the idea of committing to a children’s movie about wizards.”

When the recast happened after the second film, The Chamber of Secrets, Warner Bros. and the team had a big job on their hands.

As well as McKellen, the publication reports How To Steal A Million actor Peter O’Toole, was also in the running. However, the studio was reportedly worried that his age would become troublesome down the line.

The role then went to the late Sir Michael Gambon, and what a great job he did.

Martina Birk

Update: 2024-05-12

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