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.”
Oh please! Gandalf doesn’t even need wands to do magic! I agree with Sir McKellen: Gandalf would absolutely win over Dumbledore…he is more than a wizard, he is something like a god-like character… nobody can beat him, nor even Sauron in my opinion…
In my personal view of the characters, our wizards (DD, LV etc) are more like the elves in LotR, but even less powerful… so they would never have a chance to win over Gandalf…
Apart from what I wrote above: I do love both of them, in the same way and for different reasons, as I do love both the series of the books. But for me DD would be the greatest wizard (and man) of the race of men (Gondorians, that is to say), but we cannot even do a comparison between him and Gandalf: Gandalf is not even human, is a pure and powerful entity from the world of eternity (Western Lands), sent to Middle-Earth to help Men, who were Ainur’s (God) favourite beings. In the mithology of LotR he is Jesus, who has to sacrifice himself (against the Balrog) to become more powerful (Gandalf the White) and beat evil (that is to say the Devil). Instead DD is the demiurge (God, we can say) while Harry is Jesus, the one who has to sacrifice himself for the sake of human kind.
Posted by platinum_knowledge on November 25, 2007, 10:16 AM
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I think Gambon is a better actor than McKellen. From what I’ve seen of them, Gambon seems more versatile. McKellen always plays the same guy, sometimes on the side of good, sometimes on the side of evil. I like Gambon as dumbledore, but he could do better, if he would try a little harder. And don’t get me started on Harris, because he was even worse. His performance was so old, dusty and unoriginal. Atleast Gambon has a orignal view on Dumbledore.
Gandalf would definitely win! He’s brilliant and Ian Mckellen is such a better actor than Gambon and dumbledoor is suppose to be gentle, funny and kind, gambon makes him scary and angry and waaaaaay to energetic. But yeah i love gandalf he’s the orginal and the best!
Gandalf is the best! He would win, but dumbledoor does have an unbeatable want…hmm. Ian is a better actor too and would suit the role as dumbledoor much better than Gambon. Gambon acts him far to scary and moody and energetic, he’s meant to be funny and gentle and kind. And where are the important blue eyes?
I love gandalf and Ian!
Gandalf, the original?? hello??? Merlin!!!!
Ian, didn’t you hear about Merlin?
Comparing all of them is stupid, they are based in different stories, so they have different powers, it’s impossible to know who would be more powerfull.
the ONLY thing I liked about the LOTR films was Gandalf. I find those films soul-less, the first film that is, as I never bothered with the rest.
I think Gandalf would beat Harris’s DD but might meet his match with Gambon’s.
Gambon is right is portraying DD as energetic as DD is always described as energetic in the books. Gambon’s also more eccentric than Harris, which is also right, though the scriptwriters could play that up more than they do. The ‘Brian’ bit in OotP was spot on (adding the chintz armchairs to that scene would have been perfect). The only problem is that Gambon’s anger is louder than in the books. In the books DD’s anger is terrifying but it is more the effect it has on the atmosphere, which might be difficult to get across on film.
Seeing as I probably would not have even looked at this article due to the title if it were not for my cousins sitting next to me I would have to say w/o a doubt that Dumbledore would blow Gandalf away… however my cousin is in disagreement, but seeing as I am the one on the computer and he is not no one gives a crap about his opinion.
So yes… I’m personaly grateful that Ian McKellen did NOT take over for Richard Harris because then I would have lost the bet where my cousin said they were the same person. ;) ($20 too);) But actually the last quote about publically saying how bad an actor he was made me laugh out loud… so ya that’s my opinion.
Well Dumbledore would NOT have needed a wand really either,as were also his powers beyond that.
Were Gandolf truly of angelic decent his abilities would have helped him more with helping Froto to get where he needed to be ,
and he would have defeated his demomic advisary .
He would also NOT have been captured by a weeker wizard and held captive.
Well, I might be ever so slightly biased BUT Dumbledore PWN’s Gandalf. Sorry Sir Ian, I do love you and I loved seeing your Lear but Dumbledore would beat Gandalf with his eyes closed and a smile on his face.
Have you guys ever even READ LotR???? :) Of course Gandalf would win! He never used magic BECAUSE he was so powerful. So powerful that he could return from death.
BY ORDER OF THE HIGH INQUISITOR OF HOGWARTS[br]Any student found in possession of the magazine [i]The Quibbler[/i] will be expelled.[br][i]The above is in accordance with Educational Decree Number Twenty-seven.[/i]
Oh please! Gandalf doesn’t even need wands to do magic! I agree with Sir McKellen: Gandalf would absolutely win over Dumbledore…he is more than a wizard, he is something like a god-like character… nobody can beat him, nor even Sauron in my opinion… In my personal view of the characters, our wizards (DD, LV etc) are more like the elves in LotR, but even less powerful… so they would never have a chance to win over Gandalf…