In an
interview with Sir Ian McKellen, the actor who plays Gandalf in
The Lord of the Rings, a comparison was brought up between loved characters Dumbledore and Gandalf. Though McKellen and Michael Gambon (Dumbledore) are friends, he did admit that there was no talk between them on "how to play a wizard." However, when asked if he would have taken over the role of Dumbledore from the late Richard Harris, he had the following to say:
Quote:
"People say to me, don't you wish you'd played Dumbledore? I say no! I played Gandalf! The original. There was a question as to whether I might take over from Richard Harris [Gambon's predecessor in the Dumbledore role], but seeing as one of the last things he did publicly was say what a dreadful actor he thought I was, it would not have been appropriate for me to take over his part." He smiles icily. "It would have been unfair."
Also, when prompted with a question of who he thinks would win in a battle, his answer was:
Quote:
"Gandalf. Of course."
It's okay, McKellen! We think Harris does great as Dumbledore.
Source:
Muggle Net 
McKellen talks Gandalf vs. Dumbledore 
[France => US]
