Gandalf == Dumbledore?? Nope
by Doc on Dec.31, 2002, under Movies
This isn’t from some random rumor site. ITV is reporting that the Harry Potter producers have been having trouble finding a replacement for the late Richard Harris, who played Professor Dumbledore in the first two films, and have targeted Sir Ian McKellen – Gandalf of the Lord of the Rings. Warner Bros. is expected to make an announcement after the New Year.
Update 12/30: Well, people are saying that The Sun (about as reliable as Weekly World News here) “broke” this story, so its probably bogus – but most of the refutes I’ve seen seem to be dated prior to this, so they may be refuting the earlier rumor.
Update 12/31: Well, according to E! Online the new Dumbledore is British – and he ain’t McKellen. Michael Gambon (Lyndon Johnson in HBO’s Path to War) is all but confirmed…
Update 1/4:Or not. I give up.
January 2nd, 2003 on 4:59 pm
director for Prisoner of Azkaban
The E!Online article mentions Alfonso Cuaron as director for the fourth movie. I just saw Y Tu Mama Tambien yesterday and enjoyed it. Cuaron took little side trips from the plot every so often, for example when the main characters are stuck in a traffic jam the camera pans over to the accident that caused the traffic jam and the narrator discusses the accident, which has absolutely nothing to do with the plot of the movie. (But everything to do with the tone of the movie!) I wonder if we’ll get a nice dose of tangents in Harry Potter too.
January 3rd, 2003 on 12:00 am
Re:director for Prisoner of Azkaban
I think you mean the third movie, and yes, he is directing. Chris Columbus wanted to spend more time with his family, but is still involved as producer.
January 3rd, 2003 on 12:26 am
Re:director for Prisoner of Azkaban
Ooops, yes, third movie. Getting ahead of myself there! 🙂