POA and the new Dumbledore

The Harry Potter Movies Forum

Will Michael Gambon be able to successfully replace the late Richard Harris as Dumbledore in the POA movie?

It is a tough role to fill. Richard brought Dumbledore to life for millions of us around the world. He had that same twinkle in his eye that Dumbledore was supposed to have, and he was the master at the mischievous look.

I think Michael will bring us a sterner Dumbledore. I can't wait to see the movie. For me, Richard will always be the Dumbledore that I think of when I read the books, but I hope Michael can pull it off.

I think Michael Gambon has the look down, i'm just worried about the voice Richard Harris had a kind of croak in his voice that made the Dumbledore character what he was, and I loved it. I hope Michael Gambon has tried to do something similar to keep a continuity between the movies...

Yes, Richard Harris had the hoarse voice that was very cool.

I'm going to miss richard. I mean of course i support Micheal, because some dumbledore is better than no dumbledore at all, but watching the previews just kinda rips my heart apart when i dont see richards face and his long beard and hear that voice of his. Dumbledore is my favorite character, followed up closely by lupin and harry and ginny.

Those are my order of favorite characters too. I feel sad when I see the new Dumbledore.

I didn't know this until some time last month I think it was but Michael Gambon played Baltus Vantassle in Tim Burton's Sleepy Hollow. He's a good actor, but I liked Richard Harris's soft, whispery voice. It just seemed to fit with the character. I just hope that Michael Gambon is as good of a Dumbledore as Richard Harris was.

I just saw the movie. I felt that they purposefully shortened Dumbledores screen time. He was not there very much. The big speech that was in the book about "those who we love never truly leave us" was given to Sirius. I think they did not want us to dwell on Richard not being in the movie. The new Dumbledore acted like he was on drugs or something with his odd speeches.

I thought that he did a pretty good job at playing Dumbledore but his voice wasn't right and he bounced his head a little too much. Richard Harris was definitely better though.

i feel really sorry for micheal, i mean i liked richard more, but he must be trying really hard. and he really does seem to be like a nice guy who is doing his best to fill the role that richard did so well. It must be hard because i think everyone loves richard much more, as sorry as i feel for micheal, richard is still my dumbledore. I also think that they could have made him look a bit more like dumbledore if they had kept richards style. I mean the clothing just didnt look that " richard" and does anyone know what was up with the beaded string thing around his beard? it kept annoying me!

I'm with you, Sherry... I think that they shortened his screen time because they want us to get used to this new Dumbledore.

Still, he didn't do a bad job... he was a good actor, but it will take time while we miss Richard Harris.

I think once we start to get used to him, we'll probably start to like him better. Right now, I think that everyone just sees him as a big change in the movie and are expecting him to have to fill the shoes that Richard Harris left behind.

That's exactly what I'm talking about, Pulse... it's just going to take time.

After seeing the movie four times Michael Gambon has grown on me. He does a pretty good dumbledore. Richard Harris was perfect, but Michael has done a good job.

Wow four times? Lucky you. I hope I can see it again next month. Welcome to the forum Rayne There are a lot of discussions on the main HP page too.

Four times? Already? Dang... that's dedication. I like the movies, but I wouldn't want to see them that much, in such close succession. Reading the books over and over, on the other hand... that I can always do.

Ever since I heard that they had cast Micheal Gambon as Dumbledore, I had slight misgivings but I decided to reserve judgement until I had seen the film. I have to say though, I was disapointed in his performance, like everyone has said Richard Harris did bring the character to life, but I was hoping perhaps Michael would put a new spark into dumbledore - he could never replace Richard but I was hoping he might be able to have developed the role slightly in a way that would appeal to everyone and assure them that he was right for the part.

But I felt he was far too stern as Fuscia said, Dumbledore is supposed to be an icon of power, but of safety and kindness, and I think Micheal just appeared too 'harsh'.
Perhaps if they had given him more screentime instead of less, it would have given the viewers a better opportunity to accept him?
I don't know, maybe as I have only seen the film once I'm being too critical, perhaps his performance will grow on me as it did for Rayne!

Although there would have been constant comparisons to Gandalf I still feel that Ian Mckellen would have been a brilliant Dumbledore as he perfectly portrays that powerful yet kind and playful character.

Blaise, I was telling my husband that about Ian McKellan. That he would have done an excellent job as Dumbledore. He has that same ability to have his eyes twinkle with merriment that Richard did. He also could capture the kindness and humour that Dumbledore has, yet convey the power. I have to believe that Ian is such a brilliant actor that he could have made his Dumbledore very different from Gandalf.

Right on... very true. Ian would have done a great job... and he would have brought that "sparkle" to life in Dumbledore, that was missing with Michael. He played a hippy, removed Dumbledore, and it completely changed who that character is.

and he lost the unique loveable headmaster in the process.

Correct... and that bothers me. It makes me worry about the remaining movies.
Dumbledore's character, in my opinion, has been completely changed, from this point on.
He just isn't the same from the books, and that's a shame.

Ok, who is Ian McKellan? The name sounds really familiar but I can't put a face with it

He played Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

He played Magneto in the X-men movies.

I hope so too, Sherry. Because if they don't, it will NOT be the same.