The Harry Potter franchise has seen the height of success and popularity as it became a pop-cultural phenomenon. Based on J. K. Rowling’s extremely popular fantasy novel series, the franchise has created a mark in the fantasy genre by upholding its glory and fame to the next level.
Four different directors- Alfonso Cuarón, Mike Newell, David Yates, and Chris Columbus directed the franchise, but the casting of the movie was pretty interesting, especially, in the case of Dumbledore. The original Dumbledore, to be specific.
Richard Harris Turned Down The Dumbledore Role Three Times
The Harry Potter fans have witnessed two actors playing Dumbledore in the franchise. In the first two movies, Irish actor Richard Harris played Hogwarts’ Headmaster before his death in 2002. In the later films, Michael Gambon took over the role. But before starring in the first Harry Potter movie, Harris was not interested in the role at all, despite knowing it was going to be a hit. Reportedly, the actor had turned down the role three times before finally accepting.
“All I knew is that they kept offering me the part and raising the salary every time they called. I kept turning it down. Anyone involved has to agree to be in the [Harry Potter] sequels, all of them, and that’s not how I wanted to spend the last years of my life, so I said no over and over again,” Harris once said (via The Guardian).
But how did he end up playing Professor Albus Dumbledore? Harris’ granddaughter (then 11 years old) convinced the actor to play the character as the novel series was one of her favorites.
“She said, ‘Papa, I hear you’re not going to be in the Harry Potter movie’, and she said, ‘If you don’t play Dumbledore then I will never speak to you again,’” Harris recalled.
But the Potterheads had to mourn the death of the actor, while the producers looked for another to cast as Dumbledore, after Harris’ untimely demise in 2002.
Richard Harris Demanded the Producer Not To Recast When He Fell Sick
Harris’ death was certainly a blow to the franchise and it was devastating. But when he fell sick, the actor told producer David Heyman not to recast as he was confident that he was going to get better.
“Richard Harris was Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter movies, and when he got sick, I remember going to see him in the hospital,” Heyman told The Hollywood Reporter.
“He said: “Don’t dare recast. I’ll be back.” And then he didn’t make it. And he was a godfather to me, and it was like a family, and there’s grieving. You don’t rush on and go, “Oh well, who are we going to get to replace him?”
Devastating indeed, some movies are like family. But his demise did not have a pernicious effect on the later movies. Luckily, Harris’ fellow Irish actor, Michael Gambon carried the legacy of the character splendidly from the third movie. Also, the Potterheads got to experience the thrill ride of two different actors playing the iconic character in the franchise. Sadly, Gambom passed away on 28 September 2023, leaving the fans to mourn.
All Harry Potter movies are available for streaming on Max.
Source: The Guardian, The Hollywood Reporter.
