Richard Harris' son reveals reason why his late father turned down another famous wizard role

Professor Albus Dumbledore, the ‘epitome of goodness’ who is many Potterheads' favourite character.

In the Harry Potter franchise he has been played by four actors, Richard Harris in the first two films, Michael Gambon in the other six, Jude Law in the Fantastic Beasts films and Toby Regbo as young Dumbledore.

Well-known to fans, Harris had been cast as the Hogwarts headmaster but sadly passed away in 2002. But Dumbledore wasn’t his only opportunity to play a famous wizard as his son revealed why the late actor turned down another role.

In 2022, the documentary The Ghost of Richard Harris gave an insight into the life of the star with his three sons each bringing their perspective of their father.

Harris played Dumbledore in the first two films. (Warner Bros)

And the documentary featured the revelation that Harris had also been offered the iconic role of Gandalf in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy.

However, the Irishman decided to go with the JK Rowling character meaning Tolkien’s wizard ended up being played by Ian McKellen.

Harris’ middle son and fellow actor, Jared, told The Times just why his dad had turned down playing Gandalf.

“Dad was offered Gandalf and Dumbledore at the same time, but he didn’t want to spend all that time in New Zealand [where the Lord of the Rings films were filmed],” he said.

After Harris died, McKellen was actually offered the part of Dumbedore. However, he later explained that he turned it down because the late actor ‘didn’t like him’.

In the interview with HARDtalk on the BBC, McKellen said he wasn't interested in the role as a result of what Harris thought of him.

He said: "When they called me up and said if I would be interested in being in the Harry Potter films, they didn't say what part.

McKellen ended up playing Gandalf. (New Line Cinema)

"I worked out what they were thinking, and I couldn't take over the part from an actor I know didn't approve of me.

"When he died, he played Dumbledore, the wizard. I played the real wizard."

This was obviously a bit of a lighthearted joke from McKellen, but Harris had made a bit of a harsh remark about the Gandalf actor as well as Derek Jacobi and Kenneth Branagh.

“These guys [are] technically brilliant, but passionless,” he stated.

And as casting is still yet to be confirmed for the upcoming Harry Potter TV series, Jared had his say on who should take on Dumbledore – Mark Rylance.

“He’s a phenomenal actor,’ Jared said.

“I saw that they’re thinking about him as a possible Dumbledore. He would be wonderful because there’s already something otherworldly about him.”