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.”
The idea of McKellen as Dumbledore remains one of the most tantalising “what-ifs” I can think of, because I honestly think he could have been literally perfect. Across his recent career, (particularly as Gandalf the Grey in Fellowship of the Ring), he has shown himself capable of embodying every trait that defines Dumbledore – warm, comforting paternalism; commanding authority allied with a self-deprecating sense of humour; a youthful energy and quirky sense of fun despite his years; a hidden yet mainifestly evident potential for intimidating power. Gambon and Harris, between them, have managed to evoke these ideas at various points across their five performances, but never all at once in such a way that we’re convinced that they ARE Dumbledore; McKellen, I feel, could have done that. But oh well. He did a damn good “giant evil toad” in Flushed Away, so I’ll be happy with that. :)
omg this is so funny! annyone has thefull interview or at least some more fragments?
as to the who-would-win part, i do like the both of them, but honsetly, dd is only a wizard8though a very able one im sure) gandalf on the other hand was way more than that, a maia, so not equal to any human being with magical power!
dd rocks though^^
gandalf rules xD
I did think of McKellen as Dumbledore when Richard Harris died, but I think it would have been too soon and people, especially young kids, would have had a hard time distinguishing between Dumbledore and Gandalf.
As for how the older actors treat the movies, I think Fiennes takes it very seriously. I was watching an interview where Fiennes discussed that he was very reluctant to play as Voldemort, one reason being he wasn’t that impressed with the first four Potter books. He also said that many close to him fell to either extreme, either saying he shouldn’t touch that role or saying it’s obvious he had to do it. Only when he told Newell of his difficulty in deciding and Newell showing concept art of how they wanted to go with the Voldemort aspect did Fiennes accept.
He, for one, takes the job seriously I feel. I do think his Voldemort is well done, too.
“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.”
You are obviously not familiar with the legendarium of J.R.R. Tolkien. GandAlf was certainly of angelic descent and was one of the Maiar, the lesser Ainur (Angelic Spirits) and helpers of the Valar, the greater Ainur.
In the beginning the Ainur were in direct communication with the people of Middle-earth (most often Elves). This was changed at the end of the Second Age of the Sun, when the lands of the Ainur (Undying Lands, Lands of the West) were seperated from the Circles of the World (including Middle-earth).
In the Third Age of the Sun the Valar pittied the Mortal Men in their struggle against Sauron (who is also a Maia spirit, from the same order as Gandalf). However, the Valar now held a policy that prevented them from interfering directly with the course of events in Middle-earth (otherwise, they could have defeated Sauron easily). This policy was laid upon them by the One (Eru) himself, who was the Creator of the Universe and the Father of All (Illuvatar)
They were, however, allowed to send five Maiar-spirits to Middle-earth, in order to aid the race of Men. But they were forbidden to use direct force when summoning Men to fight against Sauron. Instead, they were stripped from most of their powers and were “incarnated” in the form of Men.
They were, however, still very powerfull. But, they do not use the same kind of “magic” that is used in Harry Potter. The rules of “magic” in Middle-earth were much different.
When you say that Gandalf was nearly defeated by a lesser wizard (I assume you mean Saruman) you’re missing an important point: Saruman was ALSO a wizard that was send from the Undying Lands, which means he was ALSO an angelic spirit.
Besides, he wasn’t even a lesser wizard: Saruman was the most powerful of the Wizards and accordingly held the title of “the White”. He lost this title when Gandalf was send back from death and was from that moment on called the White.
When comparing Gandalf and Dumbledore, everyone should admit that it’s impossible compare them! They were both among the most powerfull beings on (Middle-) earth, but from entirely distinct universes, with different sets of rules. So it may be fun to ask yourself “who will win the Gandalf vs Dumbledore battle”, but they could never have met. It’s the same as asking yourself if Voldemort could win a battle against Darth Vader, it’s nice to think about but it’s impossible and even a bit ridiculous to say that the one or the other would definitely win.
Posted by TheMightyMidget on November 25, 2007, 11:17 PM
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I love Ian’s acting. I thought he played a great Gandalf and always wished he was Dumbledore. Although now I do think that would be a stretch… I mean if he showed up in an HP movie everyone would be thinking, “I didn’t know Gandalf was in the books!”
Anyway… I agree with him that Gandalf would win in a battle between two of the greatest wizards that ever were created… of coruse he has an advantage since he isn’t even human ;0) And he’s a lot older and wiser too… although if caught on a day when he was getting his pipe fix on the Shire’s best Dumbledore would have a chance, Gandalf would be too busy making smoke ships. LOL!
I don’t think Gandalf and Dumbledore would ever fight … Perhaps they’d have a heated discussion and – after that – go to the pub and – after that – make the world a better place. :)
(If there was a fight: Sorry, but Gandalf has powers Dumbledore knows not … ;) )
To the both portrayers of Dumbledore: I like aspects of both Harris’ and Gambon’s DD, but all in all, none of them is Dumbledore for me! :(
The one I have always envisioned as Dumbledore is: Atticus Finch! :) As he was perfectly portrayed by Gregory Peck, I see Dumbledore played by Peck a dream come true … (I know, Peck is dead.)
Atticus Finch (as portrayed in the book as well as in the film) always had this silent power, wisdom and depth – he was “distantly caring”, sadly lonesome and still human with his mistakes …
“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).”
@M Jones: I’m sure Maggie Smith will be very relieved to hear that you’ve given her dispensation!
Dumby would soooooooooo kick Gandalf around! After all, Dumby has the unbeatable wand. BWHAHAHAHA.
Posted by HermyJane Granger on November 26, 2007, 01:57 PM
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Richard Harris was always funny when interviewed and his denoucement of Sir Ian’s acting sounds like him. But he was not above critizing his own talents and films once saying “I’ve made about 70 films, 60 of which were crap”.
Sir Ian may blame R. Harris for not taking the role but I don’t think he had any intention of playing another wizard regardless.
Gandolf did slaughter that firey demon which was impressive but I think he would have met his match against Albus.
Also, Harris’ Dumbledore was not gay. The film Dumbledore did not become gay until he started wearing the Liberace rings, tying his beard into a pony tail and dressing like a hippie.
...Snape, of course, would no sooner let them play games in class than adopt Harry. Staring nastily around at them all, he informed them that he would be testing them on poison antidotes during the last lesson of the term.
“Neither would win. Merlin, anyone?” -platinum_knowledge
Yes.