Ian McKellen explains turning down Dumbledore role in “Harry Potter”April 5, 2017 - 11:18 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Ian McKellen is best known for his portrayal as great wizard Gandalf in "Lord of the Rings" movie series, but little did people know that he almost got a chance to portray another notable wizard back then. The actor was offered to play Hogwarts' headmaster Albus Dumbledore in "Harry Potter" series after the original actor, Richard Harris, passed away. However, McKellen turned down the role due to particular reason, AceShowbiz said. On BBC HARDtalk, McKellen revealed that he refused playing the wizard because Harris didn't approve of him. It was said during the show that Harris once dubbed McKellen "technically brilliant, but passionless." "When they called me up and said would I be interested in being in the 'Harry Potter' films [following Harris' death], they didn't say in what part," said McKellen to BBC HARDtalk. "I worked out what they were thinking, and I couldn't. I couldn't take over the part from an actor who I'd known didn't approve of me," he added. The role eventually landed on Michael Gambon, who portrayed Dumbledore in the third until the eighth "Harry Potter" movie series. McKellen admitted his resemblance with the actor by jokingly saying, "Sometimes, when I see the posters of Mike Gambon, the actor who gloriously plays Dumbledore, I think sometimes it is me." Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that young Dumbledore will appear in "Harry Potter" spin-off "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them 2". The story of the second "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" film will reportedly be set in the U.K. and France. Eddie Redmayne will reprise his role as Newt Scamander in the movie, while Johnny Depp will reprise his role as Gellert Grindelwald. Other returning cast members include Zoe Kravitz and Ezra Miller. The movie is set to be released sometime in 2018. Photo: Wikipedia Top stories Ara Aivazian said Azerbaijan continues the traditions of Turkey after seizing territories and forced Armenians out. The creative crew of the Public TV had chosen 13-year-old Malena as a participant of this year's contest. She called on others to also suspend their accounts over the companies’ failure to tackle hate speech. Penderecki was known for his film scores, including for William Friedkin’s “The Exorcist”, Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining”. Partner news | Pashinyan’s spokesperson denies intention to visit Baku for COP29 Pashinyan’s agenda doesn’t include a trip to Baku for the COP29 conference, his press secretary Nazeli Baghdasaryan has said. Russia accuses West of preparing invasion of CSTO countries NATO is preparing an invasion of the CSTO countries, the number of provocations in the air is growing, Sergei Shoigu has said. Lithuania sending €100,000 to help Armenia fight floods consequences Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan took to social media to thank his Lithuanian counterpart for the contribution. Armenia: Rescue workers restore pedestrian bridge for flood-hit community Rescue workers on Wednesday, June 5 restored a pedestrian bridge in the town of Alaverdi in Armenia’s north. |