The new Dumbledore [Archive] - Muggle Informer Forums

Re-reader

12-28-2002, 09:54 AM

Ian McKellan's official site has not confirmed or denied. But every comment I have seen by McKellan on the possibility of him playing Dumbledore has been a "non-answer" which leaves open the possibility.

See for example this link (http://www.mckellen.com/writings/021003harris.htm) from McKellan's website.

Nyliram

12-28-2002, 11:17 AM

Considering Warner Brothers and New Line are both owned by AOL Time Warner, I'm wondering if nobody will confirm it until sometime after the first of the year so that it won't take anything away from the hoopla about The Two Towers.

qleap

12-28-2002, 04:02 PM

Crossing fingers *pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease* :D

Amberion

12-28-2002, 07:35 PM

Originally posted by Fleurdelacour
The thing is, I will keep on thinking Gandalf, Gandalf.... Gandalf is talking to Harry Potter....

I could think of worse characters to have advising Harry:D :cool: :)

amrael

12-28-2002, 07:42 PM

From Sir Ian's own Webpage

Fact: Ian McKellen has NOT agreed to succeed the late Richard Harris in the role of Dumbledore in the Harry Potter movies. He has expressed interest in perhaps playing a different role some time in the future of the series.

Do we learn anything new from this?

Sirius Black

12-28-2002, 09:39 PM

Generally I think cross-acting between these two particular movies is a bad move.
But who would he play that is in the same kinda league? It can't be peeves. A new character? That's interesting.

Anyway - Roger Moore for Dumbledore!!! :D

amrael

12-28-2002, 09:40 PM

And Sir Ian for Mad-Eye Moody. :D

amber

12-29-2002, 06:54 AM

:eek: :mad:

Holy Eru hes got to be stopped!!!

Raistlin

12-29-2002, 08:07 AM

Bernard Hill for Dumbledore would be more appropriate.

Ian Mckellen culd do it and be like Christopher Lee playing in two franchises..but we all know which one mr Lee likes

;)

feanari

12-29-2002, 01:44 PM

Its different! I think its quite a good idea, certainly more inspiration for Dumbledore/anyone else shippers!

Seriphus

12-29-2002, 04:48 PM

Nothing against Sir Ian, but I'd rather he didn't get the part. I'm sure he'd do a great job, but like Fleur I'd just be thinking 'Gandalf' all through the movie.

Colli

12-29-2002, 05:26 PM

:( I think it's a horrible idea...

Sir Ian would do a wonderful job, of course, but really. He's Gandalf. He's NOT Dumbledore. Unless he possesses some weird ability to make them appear as two DIFFERENT characters, this is terrible.

We get enough grief from Tolkien fans as it is, people saying JKR ripped off LotR. Whether it's true or not, I'd rather Harry Potter stay as far removed from Lord of the Rings as possible.

I really have trouble believing that Sir Ian would accept this job.

Colli

12-30-2002, 12:09 AM

Here's the original article (http://www.zap2it.com/movies/news/story/0,1259,---14891,00.html) , as far as I can tell.

At least it's not confirmed.

:(

~Lady Evenstar~

12-30-2002, 12:46 AM

I was wishing that there would be a less-known actor to play the new Dumbledore. Sir Ian does look similiar to Harris, but I just can't picture him as Dumbledore! Yet I guess no matter who replaces Harris, it will never be the same.

Celedur

12-30-2002, 12:56 AM

This is the problem with old actors: they tend to kick the bucket at the worst times (harsh, I know). They had the choice of taking a younger actor and applying latex/makeup/etc. to age him. Perhaps they still can...

(3 down, 47 to go. I will have my avatar)

Colli

12-30-2002, 01:12 AM

:D Welcome to the Council of Elrond, celedur!!!

Avatars are cool, but go easy on the posting. ;)

I'm still holding to the opinion that this is just a rumor.... I can't really see Sir Ian accepting the part.

Seriphus

12-30-2002, 09:20 AM

I would have thought that if Christopher Lee found he didn't want to consider taking the part so soon after Harris's death then Sir Ian would have similar feelings.

Hi Celedur (I'm sure you'll get your avatar soon) I think that maybe prosphetics with a younger actor is a good way to go. That way it could be possible for the actor to resemble Richard Harris a bit more.

Serphy

Elfëa

12-30-2002, 10:12 AM

OH my!!!! :jawdrop:

Please say it's not true!!!

(for all the reasons pointed above!)

qleap

12-30-2002, 11:28 AM

I don't understand why he couldn't be in the movie. I must agree that there could be a problem with LoTR fans... but do you really think McKellen will stop acting all together just because he's played Gandalf? :eek: I mean, the poor man has to eat you know ;)
Every good actor can BE different characters, if he can't then he's not such a great actor after all. I think we're all underestimating him a bit in this... and I don't see why any actor who will be chosen should have to look like Harris. Harris was Harris and it's bad both for "his" Dumbledore and the next actor's one if anyone tried to make them "the same". I believe any good actor can play the way he does play and all the same be the same character. Also, as much as we all think it was such a great loss, please don't forget that sooner or later we'll need another Dumbledore and it can't be too late either...

Also... I've never heard anyone complaining because "Magneto was talking to Frodo" ;) :p

Celebrodiel

12-30-2002, 02:54 PM

Seeing as all the places I've read this are tabloids based around gossip I am not prepared to believe that Sir Ian McKellan has taken over the role of Dumbledore. I think he knows how difficult it would be for audiences who see him as Gandalf, especially as most Harry Potter movie goers are likely to have seen The Lord of the Rings too.
:D

Colli

12-30-2002, 03:45 PM

:D Qleap, I don't mean to say he can't act anymore.. he does a fine job as Magneto.

But another old, wise wizard who serves as a mentor to a young orphaned boy? With the matching long white beard and pointy hat. I would just forsee problems.

qleap

12-30-2002, 05:35 PM

Originally posted by Colli
I would just forsee problems

"Sherbet Lemon? SHERBET LEMON? :eek: Come on we ALL know he's on a strict lembas-only diet!!!! :mad: " comments, yeah I can see that too ;)

Seriously, maybe it's because I've always thought the two worlds are very different and the two kinds of wizard are as well, apart from the look.

Saige

12-30-2002, 06:46 PM

Damn the imdb to hell. They suck big time on there News page.

Well, Ian McKellen isn't playing Dumbledore. Michael Gambon has been given the role, not a bad choice. He could definitely pull off Dumbledore.

PS - Could a mod please give this thread a more appropriate title now?

qleap

12-30-2002, 08:36 PM

The New Dumbledore - Official - or so they say (http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/eo/20021230/en_movies_eo/11044)

More about the actor... (http://us.imdb.com/Name?Gambon,+Michael)

Colli

12-30-2002, 11:17 PM

THANK ERU!!!!!

Mellon

12-31-2002, 07:00 AM

With Warners closed for the holidays, no one was immediately available to comment on the casting.
So it's not official...

but I really hope it becomes so.

This title OK, Saige? :)

Saige

12-31-2002, 08:48 AM

Yep, it doesn't make me look like such an ass now :)

I'm quite certain Gambon will be in the role now. Really, who would want to make-up a rumour about that? No disrespect to Gambon (I am an occasional fan of his work).

Melancthe

01-02-2003, 03:59 AM

I am happy to hear about Michael Gambon! Coincidentally, I saw Gosford Park and Charlotte Gray in close proximity lately, and noticed him in both movies. I think he's one of those very familiar faces who no one can ever quite put a name to, but he's done some very good work and I look forward to seeing him in Dumbledore's robes. I was about to say that no one will ever replace Richard Harris for me, but that may well be a little unfair - after all, Gambon might be very memorable in the role. Roll on, PoA!

Colli

01-03-2003, 12:49 PM

:rolleyes: Ok guys.

Read this (http://www.comingsoon.net/cgi-bin/archive/fullnews.cgi?newsid1041527960,87740,)

Now neither Gambon NOR Sir Ian are Dumbledore.

amrael

01-03-2003, 06:57 PM

You know what? I don't much really care. I'm usually a great fan of Richard Harris, but I didn't particularly like his Dumbledore. I liked Maggie Smith, Brannagh or Rickman much better. I would like Sir Ian to play it because he can pull most things off, and he has a way to become his character in a way that would make Dumbledore to BE Dumbledore and not Gandalf.

But as long as the guy can act, I'm fine. As a matter of fact, neither film has got me as the LotR ones, so I'm happy whatever the choice is.

After all, I don't think whoever will be much worse then Radcliffe. ;)

Mellon

01-04-2003, 06:53 AM

:rolleyes: expresses it well. Anyone get the idea Warner Bros are just using this as a publicity stunt? :rolleyes:

After all, I don't think whoever will be much worse then Radcliffe. ;)
:LOL:

Colli

01-12-2003, 02:43 PM

:rolleyes: Gambon's back in the role. :D

From Entertainment Weekly
Gosford Park star Michael Gambon, 62, is negotiating to play Dumbledore in Warner Bros. Harry Potter franchise. "They've offered, and he wants to do it," says his agent. Gambon would replace Richard Harris, who died in October.

babi_buddha

01-12-2003, 07:59 PM

Praise be! I am so pleased that Ian Mckellen is not the new Dumbledore. Do you know terrible it is to read fics of Harry Potter and LOTR crossover and find out that the author thinks that Dumbledore and Gandlaf are the same person, or brothers of whatever?

Huzza! How terrible would it have been for those who enjoy the LOTR books if he had taken the role, all the bad fan fic!

On the other hand he would have beena wonderful Dumbledore, i do not doubt it but, i'm glad he didn't take the job after all he still has more X Men movies to do does he not?

Mellon

01-13-2003, 06:16 AM

:rolleyes: Just so long as it's not McKellen...

This is getting quite ridiculous now...

Welcome, babi_buddha! :)

WillowFae

01-13-2003, 12:44 PM

I can see the problems that Ian McKellen would have created. I agree with what someone else here said about maybe having an unknown to do the part. However, I don't think that will happen as I think the studio will probably want to milk this for all it is worth.

Monkfish

01-13-2003, 11:30 PM

Richard Harris`s family want Peter O`Toole to take over as Dumbledore.......

Also, Sir Richard Attenborough and Richard Harris`s double in The Chamber Of Secrets are in the running.

Personally, having watched him in many roles, I don`t think Micheal Gambon would in any way be anything like Dumbledore and definately should not get the part.

Peter O`Toole would be BRILLIANT though!:)

By the way.........IMDB is still showing Ian McKellan as Dumbledore.................

WillowFae

01-14-2003, 03:23 AM

Originally posted by Monkfish

Also, Sir Richard Attenborough and Richard Harris`s double in The Chamber Of Secrets are in the running.

I had heard that Richard Attenborough had turned it down due to other commitments - can't remember where I heard that though, so it may be incorrect.

Colli

01-14-2003, 02:58 PM

Originally posted by Monkfish
IMDB is still showing Ian McKellan as Dumbledore.................

I know. :mad: I emailed them days ago letting them know that he has denied getting the role.

Apparently, tons of people emailed them though assuring that he had indeed gotten the role.

Monkfish

01-14-2003, 03:33 PM

:rolleyes:

Colli

01-14-2003, 04:25 PM

:D Sir Ian updated his rumors page at www.mckellen.com

Apparently the man's getting annoyed ;)

11 January 2003

Dear concerned mailer,

I have not been offered Dumbledore but another knight is considering it.

Best wishes

From the actor who plays Gandalf for God’s sake,

Ian McKellen

Nandor Nymph

01-14-2003, 06:45 PM

Personally, I'm nor sure I like Gambon playing Dumblore. Of course i have no clue how he would act it if it were true, but from passed work he doesn't seem to fit. I wasn't too keen on Ian playing it at first, but I think I rather he be the new Dumbledore than Gambon.
Suppose we'll have to wait and see....my patience is running out though.....new Dumbledore...book 5.....ROTK......*am going insane*

But anyway no one knows if it's true or not now do they?

Chilin

01-26-2003, 04:39 PM

Gandalf as Dumbledore?
Well it is a good choice, but as someone said it will be Gandalf talking to Harry, and not Frodo. Anyways, I really would like him to play the headmaster. He is cool!:D

Elvanui

01-27-2003, 06:23 PM

Well I think that its great they chose McKellen, and though the two roles are completely different in most ways, he'll still be a wizard, haha. I had heard before that the man who plays Saruman in LOTR (his name has completely slipped my mind *darnit darnit darnit*) was going to play Dumbledore, and I completely disagreed with that. But, taking the role could be good for McKellen, or...bad with the cross role's in such large movie series.

Colli

01-27-2003, 06:28 PM

:wave: Hi, elvanui! Welcome to the Harry Potter section of the board.

I'm afraid in all the flurry of news you are mistaken. :) Sir Ian McKellen was mistakenly reported as being Dumbledore, but he's denying it. Many sources report that Michael Gambon has been offered the role, although there's no official word yet. :)

:wave: to Chilin too, and all the rest of the newcomers. Just ask if you ever need anything.

Elfëa

01-27-2003, 06:32 PM

Originally posted by Colli
Just ask if you ever need anything.

Can I ask too?

Can I have your Malfoy collection? :p

:wave:s to the newcomers :p

Elvanui

01-27-2003, 09:35 PM

Ah, its all crazy, when are we going to get the final answer?! :confused:

Chilin

01-29-2003, 05:09 PM

:wave: to Chilin too, and all the rest of the newcomers. Just ask if you ever need anything. [/B]

Thanks! You are very nice Coli! Man this site rocks!

Colli

01-29-2003, 10:50 PM

Originally posted by Elfëa
Can I have your Malfoy collection?

:p Which one? :D I'd be glad to share my photo collection.. since they aren't mine in the first place. ;)

Ah, its all crazy, when are we going to get the final answer?!
:D I have no idea!

Thanks! You are very nice Coli! Man this site rocks!
:hug: That's such a nice thing to say! The administrators and moderators work very hard. :)

Monkfish

02-02-2003, 05:16 AM

HELLO CHILIN!!!!!!!!!!!:D

Amberion

02-02-2003, 04:23 PM

Originally posted by Elvanui
I had heard before that the man who plays Saruman in LOTR (his name has completely slipped my mind *darnit darnit darnit*) was going to play Dumbledore

Its Christopher Lee who plays Saruman

i think i read somewhere that he would have taken it but it conflicted with his schedule already (dont ask me where I saw as I cant remember)

Elvanui

02-02-2003, 10:01 PM

Well thats good, because I really didnt want C.L. to play him.
*whew* :)

Bleu Unicorn

02-02-2003, 10:35 PM

I wouldn't have had a problem with Christopher Lee playing Dumbledoor - actually even though I adore Sir Ian, I'd rather have had CL play him. It'd have just been too strange to have Sir Ian play both Gandalf and Dumbledoor - not that he would do a bad job. I guess I'm just odd.

Thunder*Bolt

02-03-2003, 07:58 AM

I've to echo some of the sentiments. I like Sir Ian McKellen's Gandalf and I like the old fella himself [A thousand apologies to Sir Ian :notworthy but there's no denying he is after 60]. :p :D

But I'm definitely not very sure he would come across as Dumbledor. IMHO, it wouldn't be a gd idea for him to take up a similar role that is certain to cause visual/etc conflicts among the viewers and fans of both films.

So far, he has come across as an actor [like all those discerning ones] who would like as much diversity/challenge in his roles as possible that it doesn't likely he would take up the role if it's offered to him. A moot point of course.

I just wish they would kindly make up their minds and make an official announcement to stop all this merry-go-rounds. :D

Bleu Unicorn

02-03-2003, 09:47 AM

Originally posted by Thunder*Bolt
I just wish they would kindly make up their minds and make an official announcement to stop all this merry-go-rounds. :D
You said it! :clap:

Elvanui

02-03-2003, 05:57 PM

Thunder*Bolt I agree quite fully on the whole idea Of Sir Ian taking up such similar roles, I actually said that to someone just the other day.

Seriphus

02-07-2003, 05:54 PM

This little snippet was in this months Total Film. Not very informative, but it sets out a good overview of the possibilities.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid52/p1c56885718562974211252dde9d2bab3/fc9a4e29.jpg

(Don't know how long this will show up for, as I think my image magician account dies tomorrow)

Elfdaughter

02-21-2003, 09:22 AM

No, no, no. What's happening, is that they are getting a stand-in, and digitally imposing Richard Harris' head onto the face of this stand-in. (Or, so I've heard.....):confused:

Kristin

02-21-2003, 03:40 PM

Um, they've cast a new Dumbledore. It is Michael Gambon.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — “Harry Potter” has a new schoolmaster: Michael Gambon.
The Irish-born actor is replacing Richard Harris, who died last year, as Albus Dumbledore in the third installment of the “Harry Potter” series, Warner Bros. announced Friday.
“Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” is filming in England, and Gambon’s casting had been a closely guarded secret. Others mentioned as possible candidates for the role included Christopher Lee, Ian McKellen and Peter O’Toole, who had a longtime friendship with Harris.

Elvanui

02-21-2003, 09:54 PM

Yay! :clap: Finally! An answer!

Elfdaughter

02-24-2003, 02:53 PM

:o :o :o :o :o shamefully embarressed grin... :o :o :o

Colli

02-24-2003, 03:09 PM

Someone at MuggleNet.com digitally altered a pic of Richard Harris as Dumbledore to show what Michael Gambon might look like. (Gambon bears striking resemblance to Santa Claus)

To me though, it all depends on what he SOUNDS look, and how he acts.

http://www.mugglenet.com/images/gambonharris.jpg

glaelia

02-24-2003, 03:12 PM

yeeeeees... he's a bit round and cuddly looking isn't he.......

lol, ah well, guess harris already looked thin and ill then.... wonder what gambon acts like? can't recall ever seeing him in anything...

hmm....

Colli

02-24-2003, 03:31 PM

He's most noted for being in Gosford Park (which I didn't see... too upset about the Oscar situation last year).

But IMDb lists him in a TON of movies, including most recently:

Standing Room Only (2002)
Path to War (2002) (TV) .... Lyndon Baines Johnson
Ali G Indahouse (2002) .... Prime Minister
Charlotte Gray (2001) .... Levade
Gosford Park (2001) .... Sir William McCordle
Christmas Carol: The Movie (2001) (voice) .... Ghost of Christmas Present
Larry and Vivien: The Oliviers in Love (2001) (TV) .... Himself
High Heels and Low Lifes (2001) .... Kerrigan
Perfect Strangers (2001) (TV) .... Raymond
Endgame (2000) (TV) .... Hamm
Longitude (2000) (TV) .... John Harrison
Dead On Time (1999) .... Maurice
"Wives and Daughters" (1999) (mini) TV Series .... Squire Hamley
Sleepy Hollow (1999) .... Baltus Van Tassel
Insider, The (1999) .... Thomas Sandefur, CEO Brown & Williamson
Château des singes, Le (1999) (English voice) .... Master Martin
... aka Kwom und der König der Affen (2002) (Germany)
... aka Monkey's Tale, A (1999) (UK)
Last September, The (1999) .... Sir Richard Naylor
... aka Last September, The (1999) (France)
Plunkett & Macleane (1999) .... Lord Gibson
Dancing at Lughnasa (1998) .... Father Jack Mundy
Gambler, The (1997) .... Fyodor Dostoyevsky
... aka Játékos, A (1998) (Hungary)
Wings of the Dove, The (1997) .... Lionel Croy
Willows in Winter, The (1996) (TV) .... Badger
Wind in the Willows, The (1996/II) (TV) (voice) .... Badger

glaelia

02-24-2003, 03:33 PM

ooooooooh!!! i watched gosford park... was that the guy who got murdered... hmm... think so, he was great! a little portly for dumbledore though.... hmmmm..

swiftsnowmane

02-25-2003, 12:28 AM

Yeah, I watched him in Wives and Daughters (a BBC production, he played Squire Hamley) and then I heard he was the new Dumbledore. My younger sister was like "But he's too....er....fat! Dumbledore is supposed to be thin!":eek: :trout: Which is not to say he wasn't a good actor, just not my er....vision of Dumbledore. :o

Elvanui

02-25-2003, 06:41 AM

Maybe the "thin look" for dumbledore was set by richard harris's appearance because he was so thin due to sickness. Maybe gambon will lose a few pounds *shrugs* Ya never know, haha

Seriphus

02-25-2003, 08:25 AM

I agree with Colli, it's down to his acting whether he fits into the role or not. We're quite kinda lucky in the fact that Dumbledore's appearance in the movie is dominated by his hair/beard so lookswise there shouldn't be that much variation between actors. Gambon definitely needs to sound somewhat like Harris, though, for the character to have some kind of consistency throughout the movies.

swiftsnowmane

02-25-2003, 10:38 PM

I have nothing against jolly rotund men with white beards!;) And Dumbledore being thin has nothing to do with Richard Harris. Its just that Dumbledore is described as tall and thin in the BOOKS. :p (Sometimes I can't believe how much of a Harry Potter purist I am!:o )

glaelia

02-25-2003, 11:15 PM

yes but dumbledores' also described as having 'a crooked nose that seemed to have been broken at least twice' and i believe 'probably by a stray bludger' and they didn't even attempt that one........ ;)

Colli

02-26-2003, 01:51 PM

Dumbledore's nose might be crooked, but it's Ludo Bagman's whose had been hit by "probably a strange bludger." :)

But I agree with glaelia (I think) in saying that the appearance of his nose wasn't a big deal for me..

RosieLass

02-27-2003, 01:05 AM

Michael Gambon also played the title role in the Inspector Maigret series on Mystery! a few years back.

He has a lovely voice!

I hope they don't spend a lot of time trying to make him look/sound like Richard Harris. He's not Richard Harris and I think moviegoers will understand that.

Elvanui

02-27-2003, 06:42 AM

I think they'll understand too, and the children probably won't even know the difference.

glaelia

02-27-2003, 08:31 AM

yes that' what i was ' attempting' to sau colli ;)

don't think gambon should try and act like harris at all, i mean, what would be the point, he can't be harris and therefore he should act like himself!! his portrayal of dumbledore would be far better than his portrayal of harris' portrayal of dumbledore.... ;)

and elfea, though my surname is harris, yes, that doesn't mean i'm related to richard harris any more than i'm related to rolf harris!!!

:rolleyes: