# The Quest for Dumbledore **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 16, 2002, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-quest-for-dumbledore/137051 "2002-11-16T18:24:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2002, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-quest-for-dumbledore/137051/1 "2002-11-16T18:24:48Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Avalonian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@Avalonian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avalonian)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2002, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-quest-for-dumbledore/137051/2 "2002-11-16T19:05:13Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Daniel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Daniel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daniel)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2002, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-quest-for-dumbledore/137051/3 "2002-11-16T19:44:21Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![jab1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ee7513/32.png) [@jab1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jab1)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2002, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-quest-for-dumbledore/137051/4 "2002-11-16T20:05:41Z")
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. Also, I think he could play the role just fine. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2002, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-quest-for-dumbledore/137051/5 "2002-11-16T20:07:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Daniel \* > \*\*As for who should portray Dumbledore . . . my vote goes to Leonard Nimoy. \*\* Oooh… good call! I wonder if he can do an English accent? ---
**Author:** ![Gartog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/22d042/32.png) [@Gartog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gartog)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2002, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-quest-for-dumbledore/137051/6 "2002-11-16T21:12:37Z")
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 . ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2002, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-quest-for-dumbledore/137051/7 "2002-11-16T22:34:17Z")
I heard McKellen was offered the role and turned it down. I heard Christopher Plummer is being considered too. That could work. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2002, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-quest-for-dumbledore/137051/8 "2002-11-16T22:55:39Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2002, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-quest-for-dumbledore/137051/9 "2002-11-16T23:05:27Z")
peter o’toole. no question. ---
**Author:** ![Sakura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/898d66/32.png) [@Sakura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sakura)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2002, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-quest-for-dumbledore/137051/10 "2002-11-16T23:17:24Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2002, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-quest-for-dumbledore/137051/11 "2002-11-16T23:50:36Z")
Of course, there’s also the option of replacing Dumbledore with Tim Conway as Dumbledorf. He could be a synthesis of Dumbledore and Flit. ---
**Author:** ![I\_am\_Sparticus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c68b51/32.png) [@I\_am\_Sparticus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_am_Sparticus)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2002, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-quest-for-dumbledore/137051/12 "2002-11-17T00:32:40Z")
Harvey Korman. He’s really old and funny. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2002, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-quest-for-dumbledore/137051/13 "2002-11-17T00:46:30Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![TV\_time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f17d59/32.png) [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2002, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-quest-for-dumbledore/137051/14 "2002-11-17T03:43:11Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2002, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-quest-for-dumbledore/137051/15 "2002-11-17T03:45:08Z")
How about Roger Moore? He’s old enough, British enough, and if he could play Bond with humor, he can certainly do Dumbledore. ---
**Author:** ![TheWatcherInTheWater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9d8465/32.png) [@TheWatcherInTheWater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheWatcherInTheWater)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2002, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-quest-for-dumbledore/137051/16 "2002-11-17T12:54:22Z")
Peter O’Toole would definately work as would Sean Connery. Is the guy who played Merlin in Excalibur still around? ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2002, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-quest-for-dumbledore/137051/17 "2002-11-17T14:19:18Z")
I can see it now with Connery. “Welcome to the Rock–I mean, Hogwarts.” ---
**Author:** ![Alias](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a88e4f/32.png) [@Alias](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alias)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2002, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-quest-for-dumbledore/137051/18 "2002-11-17T15:23:29Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Menocchio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@Menocchio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Menocchio)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2002, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-quest-for-dumbledore/137051/19 "2002-11-17T16:21:48Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Tequila\_Mockingbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/41988e/32.png) [@Tequila\_Mockingbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tequila_Mockingbird)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2002, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-quest-for-dumbledore/137051/20 "2002-11-17T18:42:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by TheWatcherInTheWater \* > \*\* > Is the guy who played Merlin in Excalibur still around? \*\* 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. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-quest-for-dumbledore/137051.md?page=2)