Simon Brew Apr 5, 2017
Sir Ian McKellen was sounded out about succeeding Richard Harris in the role of Albus Dumbledore...
Sir Ian McKellen has given us no shortage of big screen wizardry in the form of Gandalf, across The Hobbit and Lord Of The Rings movies. But he also nearly found himself heading up Hogwart’s, when he was offered the role of Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films.
McKellen was approached following the death of Richard Harris, who played the character in the first two Harry Potter productions. As per an interview on BBC’s Hardtalk, McKellen did consider taking over from Richard Harris. But what swung the decision was the remarks that the late actor had made about him and some of his fellow actors. Harris, just prior to his death, remarked that they were “technically brilliant, but passionless”. He grouped McKellen, Kenneth Branagh and Derek Jacobi as the target of his words.
Sir Ian McKellen was sounded out about succeeding Richard Harris in the role of Albus Dumbledore...
Sir Ian McKellen has given us no shortage of big screen wizardry in the form of Gandalf, across The Hobbit and Lord Of The Rings movies. But he also nearly found himself heading up Hogwart’s, when he was offered the role of Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films.
McKellen was approached following the death of Richard Harris, who played the character in the first two Harry Potter productions. As per an interview on BBC’s Hardtalk, McKellen did consider taking over from Richard Harris. But what swung the decision was the remarks that the late actor had made about him and some of his fellow actors. Harris, just prior to his death, remarked that they were “technically brilliant, but passionless”. He grouped McKellen, Kenneth Branagh and Derek Jacobi as the target of his words.
- 4/5/2017
- Den of Geek
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