Ian McKellen revealed why he refused to take over as Dumbledore in Harry Potter after actor's death

When it comes to taking on iconic film roles, there are few more well equipped than Sir Ian McKellen.

The stage legend is widely considered one of the greatest actors in the world, and took on legendary film roles in massive franchises, starring as Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings films and Magneto in the X-Men series.

It will be a shock to find out then that, upon Richard Harris dying, who originally played Dumbledore in the first and second Harry Potter movies, McKellen was actually offered the opportunity to take over as the Hogwarts headmaster - but he turned it down.

Richard Harris played the original Dumbledore (Warner Brothers)

This comes following news that Conclave and How I Met Your Mother star John Lithgow was reportedly nearing a deal to play the character in the upcoming TV reboot, which Warner Brothers have said will follow the books more closely.

McKellen, however, could’ve been the Dumbledore for films three to eight, however, he revealed in 2017 that criticism he'd received from the late Richard Harris tipped his decision to a no.

According to the actor, Harris described McKellen, along with fellow actors Derek Jacobi and Kenneth Branagh, as technically brilliant, but passionless'.

In an interview about the subject with the BBC, McKellen said: “When they called me up and said would I be interested in being in the Harry Potter films, they didn't say what part.”

Suspecting they had plans for him to take on the role from Harris, he went on to say he ‘couldn't take over the part from an actor who [he’d] known who didn't approve of me'.

The comment was made in good spirits, however, with McKellen joking that he ‘played the real wizard' in Gandalf - though, according to Harris' son, actor Jared Harris, the Gladiator star was also approached for that role but turned it down for a particular reason.

Dumbledore’s role ultimately went to Michael Gambon, who himself passed away in 2023.

While John Lithgow is reported to be being eyed up to play the role of the magical headmaster, it was also rumoured to have initially been offered to Bridge of Spies star Mark Rylance.

Now, however, it appears to be going to the Conclave star.

John Lithgow recently appeared in Conclave, one of the Oscar frontrunners (Focus Features)

Deadline initially broke the news, with HBO declining to comment, releasing a statement saying: “We appreciate that such a high-profile series will draw a lot of rumour and speculation. As we make our way through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we finalize deals.”

At the moment, the only attached talent behind or in front of the screen is the showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director/executive producer Mark Mylod.

Both worked on Succession together with HBO, who will be producing the series.

In addition to this, the other most fervent rumoured casting is that of Snape, with Paapa Essiedu rumoured to be playing the potions master, who was played by the late Alan Rickman in the films.