How can Richard Harris be gone from this world? I must be getting older. See you later, Richard.
Ian McKellen?
I heard the news yesterday, too, and I told my kids this morning while we watched Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone for the hundredth time or so. They were sad, as was I… but we found ourselves talking about who might replace him as Dumbledore. Ian McKellen would be a great choice, we all agreed, and my wife suggested John Hurt could also do it well, if he weren’t already playing Ollivander (and perhaps he could pull both off!). However sad it is, someone has to replace him if the further movies are going to be made.
Still, Harris was a great actor, an ideal Dumbledore, and an interesting man. If they don’t dedicate Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets to him I’ll be sorely disappointed… it simply won’t be the same without him.
Farewell, Professor.