Sir Ian McKellen is the subject of a new profile in The Guardian, where the actor talks two famous wizards; Gandalf and Albus Dumbledore. In this candid interview, the actor who was nominated for an Oscar for his turn as Gandalf in the widely successful Lord of the Rings film trilogy, is asked if he ever gives any pointers or discusses the finer art of playing a wizard with his friend Michael Gambon, who currently portrays Professor Dumbledore in the Harry Potter movies. His answer: “Funnily enough, we never have.” He grins.” The article then continues, dispelling again the rumors that Ian McKellen was to take on the part of the beloved Hogwarts Headmaster after Richard Harris, who originated the role as Professor Dumbledore in the first two films, died in 2002.
“People say to me, don’t you wish you’d played Dumbledore? I say no! I played Gandalf! The original. There was a question as to whether I might take over from Richard Harris [Gambon’s predecessor in the Dumbledore role], but seeing as one of the last things he did publicly was say what a dreadful actor he thought I was, it would not have been appropriate for me to take over his part.” He smiles icily. “It would have been unfair.”
Finally, Mr. McKellen answers a question long debated in this and the LotR fandom: Who would win if there was a battle between Gandalf and Dumbledore. “McKellen puffs out his chest. “Gandalf. Of course.”
Richard Harris had a career of dishing out insults to all and sundry ! He hardly ever stopped but the vast majority of it was fuelled by the demon drink. Of course he insulted Ian -who didn’t he insult ?
He was a fine actor however and his Cromwell was hypnotic. I also happen to prefer his Dumbledore to that of Michael Gambon. However, the one thing I will say is that the film depiction of Dumbledore would certainly have improved if both Harris and Gambon actually liked and, perhaps more importantly, respected the source material enough to read the books and to also talk to experts in the field. This is something Ian McKellan (who I saw recently triumphantly in Lear in Stratford)did in L of the Rings.
David Hayman has appeared to have spent some time trying to understand the character of Dumbledore-unlike, I regret to say, Michael Gambon.
Without mentioning any names, it has been said by the marvelous Maggie Smith -to give just one example -that the Harry Potter series is “her pension.”
Well thats all very good -but I do feel that both the source material and the scripts deserve more respect from these great British actors than perhaps they do. (I do exempt Maggie from this)
Dunno about a wizard duel between Gandalf and Dumbledore (actually I rather more imagine them on a date than in a duel…..) but a contest of acting skills between Sir Ian and Gambon would leave Gambon in the dust…...Probably hollering inappropriately.
And probably the same thing in a reading test…..;0)
I’ll probably be pelted with rotten tomatoes for saying this, but I’ve always thought McKellen’s portrayal of Gandalf was very overrated. It was a good performance, but hardly a great one. I can still distinctly remember watching the Academy Awards that year and breathing a sigh of relief when they didn’t call out McKellen’s name as the winner of the Best Supporting Actor Oscar. Frankly, I think every other actor in the category was more deserving of the award that year than he was.
Having said that, I do think his portrayal of Gandalf was better than either Harris’s or Gambon’s portrayal of Dumbledore.
And it’s not hard for me to believe that Richard Harris publicly insulted McKellen. Harris was always a controversial person who slammed a lot of people during his career. He didn’t strike me as a bad guy, just a very frank, open person who didn’t pull any punches. If he had a problem with you, he’d say so.
You don’t give Gambon any tips? Oh, please start. Immediately. In fact if you hurry up you might be able to get to him before they film the astronomy tower scene – go go go!
Come on ….. Gandalf fought the war with a sword on a horse. There is no competition!! The only magic I’ve seen him doing is the fireworks at the begining of the trilogy, and we all know that Fred and George did better then that!!! HAHA! GO DUMBLEDORE!!!!
Wow, somebody’s just a LITTLE bit biased… It certainly seems as though Sir Ian hasn’t read Harry Potter, because if he had he’d realize that Dumbledore would totally destroy Gandalf.
I’m glad he didn’t take over for Richard Harris, for some reason I can’t picture Magneto in a Dumbledore costume. And, actually, I don’t really mind Michael Gambon. Sure he was a bit, well, violent in GoF, but he was much better in OotP. Harris captured Dumbledore’s quirkiness (“Nitwit, blubber, oddment, tweak!”) and Gambon gets Dumbledore’s power, so neither are perfect, but they both fit well. If Gambon’ll only READ THE BOOKS, though…
Posted by TheEighthPotter on November 25, 2007, 12:48 AM
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Like so many here, I wish McKellen would give the arrogant Gambon some acting tips (like, say, “read the book, you moron”?). I also agree with Misty that the two would be way more likely to sit back for a smoke and exchange of stories rather than fight. And Dumbledore would be smart enough to know that Gandalf wasn’t even human thus was beyond his abilities, as he was awfully good at avoiding trouble. I really think the only way one could defeat the other anyway would be if one of them took a turn for the dark side, which wouldn’t happen.
But as for the Gambon thing, I swear, anyone could play DD better than him. I don’t even care about continuity, I wish they’d replace him due to fandom demand. And I mean anyone… McKellen, your grandma, I don’t care…
lol Well, ya can’t blame him for saying his character would win.
I think he would’ve been a great DD, because he played Gandalf in the way DD should be played- wise, calm, caring, and powerful.
But I’ve warmed up to Gambon a bit since reading DH.
LOTR and HP are both universal and appeal to all generations. I personally just happen to prefer HP over LOTR ( LOTR, I’m sorry to say I find a tad bit of a snorefest, in all its incredibly detailed intricacy). :) I really liked the movies, though I’ve heard that they “butchered the books”. Hmm, well, if that’s what it takes to make them interesting! ;) (evil giggles) Sorry, I know I’m terrible! :) I honestly don’t mind. Just prefer HP, that’s all so don’t pounce on me, Tolkin buffs!
Roger Davies and his girlfriend started kissing over their sugar bowl. Harry wished they wouldn't; he felt that Davies was setting a standard with which Cho would soon expect him to compete.
Richard Harris had a career of dishing out insults to all and sundry ! He hardly ever stopped but the vast majority of it was fuelled by the demon drink. Of course he insulted Ian -who didn’t he insult ?
He was a fine actor however and his Cromwell was hypnotic. I also happen to prefer his Dumbledore to that of Michael Gambon. However, the one thing I will say is that the film depiction of Dumbledore would certainly have improved if both Harris and Gambon actually liked and, perhaps more importantly, respected the source material enough to read the books and to also talk to experts in the field. This is something Ian McKellan (who I saw recently
triumphantlyin Lear in Stratford)did in L of the Rings.David Hayman has appeared to have spent some time trying to understand the character of Dumbledore-unlike, I regret to say, Michael Gambon.
Without mentioning any names, it has been said by the marvelous Maggie Smith -to give just one example -that the Harry Potter series is “her pension.”
Well thats all very good -but I do feel that both the source material and the scripts deserve more respect from these great British actors than perhaps they do. (I do exempt Maggie from this)