I saw Harry Potter and the COS last night; perhaps it’s retro-forecasting, but Richard Harris looked sick in all of his scenes. Of course, 71 of his years were about 120 for most people.
So who would you replace him with? The main names I’ve heard have been Ian McKellen (who I doubt would take the role as that would be 7 “wizard in robes” movies in a row), Peter O’Toole (great actor, but perhaps a bit too refined for Dumbledore), Anthony Hopkins (he could definitely scare Voldemort), and Christopher Lee (who is already 80, so I wouldn’t sell insurance on him making all of the remaining movies).
My choice: Derek Jacobi. Well known, old enough for the part but young and healthy enough to last a few years, and a great actor.
My wife makes a compelling case for Ian McKellen in the role, and my daughters would both love to see him as Dumbledore. She says it’s all about the calmness and restraint Dumbledore maintains. Dumbledore never really exhibits his power, but there is still the suggestion that he is extremely powerful. McKellen has proven that he can pull this off already… even though Gandalf has more overt displays of power, he is still very restrained most of the time, and a very personable wizard.
Also, McKellen has already shown he can be very versatile. From Apt Pupil to Gods and Monsters to X-Men to Lord of the Rings (and that’s just the recent stuff), I agree with her that he needs have no worry about being typecast. But I don’t know if he’d take it.
I find the idea of Derek Jacobi as Dumbledore intriguing myself. He has the wit and talent to pull it off, and I think he could bring a lot to it.
I’m more concerned about the kids. I haven’t seen either HP movie, but it’s obvious from the trailers alone that they’re maturing faster than the books are even being written, much less translated to movies.
Anyone else think Harry Potter movies will become James Bond movies, in that we’ll see several actors taking on the lead role as the years go on?
As for who should portray Dumbledore . . . my vote goes to Leonard Nimoy.
I nominate Patrick Stewart. If the next Star Trek movie really is the last Next Generation movie, he’ll need something besides the occaisional X-Men flick to keep him busy.
Christopher Lee is rumored to have been offered the role. I think he would be a v.good choice. Although he is more know for playing bad, guys if he can get the Dumbledore twinkle in his eye, he would be perfect.
Of course we saw in TLOTR that Ian McKellen has the necessary twinkle and gravitas, I think he would also be an excellent choice
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Whoever it is, I hope he plays Dumbledore with a little more juice than Harris did. Not intending to speak ill of Mr. Harris’s acting, or anything, but I thought the Dumbledore in the movie was far too frail to muster anything as lively as a twinkle in his eye. I had been looking forward to some good eye-twinkling ever since reading Book One three years ago.
I read in The Daily Prophet on the official Harry Potter website that Richard Harris’ body double was being considered. Apparrently he can imitate Harris’ speech very well and obviously he looks like Harris. However, I think this is just another rumor.
Frankly, under all that fake white hair you could put just about anyone vaguely the right height and who can do a wheezy British accent. It’s not like deep, powerful acting is required for the part. Heck, let’s get Patrick Moore in – he can throw in an astronomy lesson and some bad xylophone playing to boot.
Patrick Stewart - He’s got the accent and the commanding attitude. He plays old well and he’s young and healthy enough to make it through the entire run.
John Hurt would be wonderful. He’s got that super-refined British way about him, yet he’s got an underlying gentleness that is essential to the character.
Ian Holm (Bilbo in FOTR). I always thought Dumbledore was the sort easily, too easily, dismissed as a doddering (not frail, like Harris played him) old man, until you looked him in the eye. Or he cuts loose in an almost terrifying manner, like he did at the end of book four. Holm could do that.
McKellen could do it, but he shouldn’t. The part’s very similar to Gandalf. While he’s good enough to avoid being typecast, I’m sure the dude wants some variety.
Lee’s also a decent choice, and for him, the typecasting boat sailed long ago.
Stewart’s alternately too somber and too energetic for the part. He may pull it off, but I haven’t seen anything that prooves he can.
As far as I can tell, Nicol Williamson is still alive and I think he’d be a good choice and is my favorite so far. He still has the twinkle in his eye. If only Robert Shaw hadn’t died, I think he’d have been perfect. Peter O’Toole would also be a good choice.