Benedict Cumberbatch is presently captivating audiences through Wes Anderson’s newest Netflix short film, The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar. With each endeavor, the 47-year-old English actor makes it clear why he’s one of the most competent stars of our generation. While his tenure in and as Sherlock transformed his reputation in the entertainment business, his association with the MCU catapulted him to unparalleled worldwide prominence and recognition.
Read also: Benedict Cumberbatch Angered Fans After Choosing a Side in Controversial Debate
His eminence and stature led him to be considered for a significant role in another notable franchise. And it so occurred that the opportunity was related to embodying one of the most potent wizards of that fictional universe. We are, of course, referring to the Wizarding World franchise, specifically the Fantastic Beasts saga. The spin-off series, which occupies space within the Harry Potter universe, was looking to cast a suitable British actor for an integral part.
Two prominent DC stars were also in the race for the coveted role! You might be left wondering: which character was it? And why were so many renowned talents considered for it?
The Task Of Finding The Right Person For Young Albus Dumbledore
Fantastic Beasts, a spin-off prequel saga to the pop culture phenomenon Harry Potter, has birthed three installments so far. This HP franchise has garnered $1.8 billion at the worldwide box office. People were vying to be a part of the ensemble cast even before the first installment was released. The legacy attached to the previous Wizarding World film series made this upcoming endeavor seem palatable and appealing. Naturally, most talents longed to be part of it.
Likewise, the production and Warner Bros. sought to cast capable, well-known individuals who could do justice to the J. K. Rowling-envisioned premise. This proved essential when choosing an actor to represent young Albus Dumbledore in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018).
Read also: Benedict Cumberbatch’s Commitment To His Oscar-Nominated Role Put His Health in Grave Danger
Dumbledore is one of the most potent wizards in the HP universe. The legacy of the character is voluminous. Therefore, the production was willing to take on the challenge of selecting the perfect candidate for one of the central figures in the overarching Harry Potter mythos. Because of this, they chose to sift through a large pool of British performers before selecting the actor we are currently acquainted with.
Among such talents was the world’s beloved Benedict Cumberbatch.
Jude Law’s Role Nearly Went To Benedict Cumberbatch
Before Jude Law was selected to play the younger iteration of the reputed character, a swathe of other English talents were evaluated for the role. According to Variety, Benedict Cumberbatch was among the many actors deemed suitable for the big-budget endeavor. Warner Bros. reportedly set conditions for the job, which the Sherlock star effortlessly met. A British actor in his forties with a solid track record in the business was what they had been seeking.
Two well-known DC actors, Mark Strong and Christian Bale, were also included on the list of potential actors for the role. The former is known for his roles in Green Lantern, Shazam! and Shazam! Fury of the Gods, while the latter gained international acclaim for The Dark Knight trilogy.
Jared Harris (son of Richard Harris, the late actor who played Dumbledore in the first two HP films) was also considered.
Jude Law ultimately emerged triumphant in landing the desired role. He received considerable praise for his portrayal of the formidable wizard.
Read also: Benedict Cumberbatch Fought Tooth and Nail to Get Oscar-Winning Movie From Leonardo DiCaprio!
But it does make us wonder, what could’ve been the reason for Cumberbatch not attaining the role? Maybe he already had too much on his plate. Embodying Doctor Strange in the MCU already introduced him to the magical world of sorcery. Even if Warner Bros. wanted the actor, he may have been too preoccupied with the demands of playing a crucial role in another blockbuster franchise.
The precise cause is unknown and difficult to pin down.
The revelation, however, does make us wonder… What would a younger version of Dumbledore portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch look like? Would he have reaped the same favorable reception that Jude Law did with his portrayal? We can only imagine.
Although we can’t be sure of the answers to such questions, he undoubtedly would have offered the audiences a charming depth and copious amounts of wisdom in his depiction!
Source: Variety
