Plummer also admitted turning down the role of gandalf in the lord of the rings films, a part played by sir ian mckellen. But when he was asked is there a role youve ever turned down. More from gina carbone only 3 lucky movies did not face a box office drop on this dismal. Mckellen s work spans genres ranging from shakespearean and modern theatre to popular fantasy and science fiction. Widely regarded as one of greatest stage and screen actors, both in his native great britain and internationally, twice nominated for the oscar and recipient of every major theatrical award in the uk and us, ian murray mckellen was born on may 25, 1939 in burnley, lancashire, england, to margery lois sutcliffe and denis. But i do it because for so many years i felt like i couldnt. Ian mckellen full list of movies and tv shows in theaters, in production and upcoming films.
Actor sir ian mckellen refused to take over richard harris role of professor dumbledore in the harry potter film franchise because his portrayal of wizard gandalf in the lord of the rings. Plummer won tony awards for his performances in both cyrano and barrymore. Sep 11, 2019 reportedly, connery turned down the role because he just couldnt get his head around it. Mckellen made his film debut in 1969 with a small role in the promise, the same year that he caused a sensation on the stage with his portrayal of edward ii, which required him to kiss another man. Why ian mckellen turned down harry potter role page six. With ian mckellen, laura linney, hiroyuki sanada, hattie morahan. Ive spent most of my acting career in the theatre, mckellen notes. Ian mckellen has revealed why he turned down the role of dumbledore. Oct 30, 2015 the great ian mckellen has cycled through all of shakespeares greats onstage over the course of his 50year career to the point where, at the age of 76, the tony and laurence olivier award. Mckellen, known for playing gandalf in the lord of the rings movies, then joked that he was the real wizard. Hugh jackman has admitted that he turned down an opportunity to star in the cats movie.
During this period, he also returned as magneto in xmen. Ian mckellen l as gandalf with elijah wood as frodo. Also on that movie, the part played by anthony hopkins was originally offered to ian mckellen who turned it down claiming he was too busy. Actors who turned down major movie roles the delite. Mar 26, 2015 plummer also admitted turning down the role of gandalf in the lord of the rings films, a part played by sir ian mckellen. As it turns out, the legendary role of gandalf, the wizened wizard at the heart of peter jacksons lord of the rings trilogy, was offered to several. Sir ian murray mckellen ch cbe born 25 may 1939 is an english actor. Ian mckellen first became intrigued with the idea of bringing a new interpretation of richard iii to the screen while still thrilling theatre audiences with his performance in the royal national theatres world tour of the play.
From the stage to the screen, sir ian mckellen has played a number of. Ian mckellen, in full sir ian murray mckellen, born may 25, 1939, burnley, lancashire, england, british actor of great versatility, noted for his work with the royal shakespeare company and for his eclectic filmography mckellen attended st. The great ian mckellen has cycled through all of shakespeares greats onstage over the course of his 50year career to the point where, at the age of 76, the tony and laurence olivier award. Mckellen also appeared in condons next film, beauty and the beast 2017 as cogsworth. Ian mckellen turned down a very english scandal role. For years, harry potter fans have believed that ian mckellen turned down the role of dumbledore in the moviespartially fueled by comments the. Its not yourself you offer to the world, but part of yourself.
For years, harry potter fans have believed that ian mckellen turned down the role of dumbledore in the movies partially fueled by comments the actor himself has made. Sir ian mckellen turned down a role in a bbc drama series about the. Ian mckellen has revealed why he turned down the role of. Sean connery turned down the role of gandalf in the lord of the rings trilogy. Sir ian mckellen turned down role in jeremy thorpe scandal. The actor turned down the role in the harry potter movies for a good reason. Ten fun facts about ian mckellen fact 1 some of his most famous movies are the lord of the rings film trilogy, xmen films, the da vinci code and gandalf amongst others. Whether they declined because of scheduling conflicts or due to those classic creative differences, here are 50 actors who turned down major movie roles and some of. I turned down the role of dumbledore in the harry potter movies, and kate.
Mckellen turned down the role, telling the bbc in 2017 he couldnt take over the part from an actor who id known didnt approve of me. His notable film roles include gandalf in the lord of. Actors that turned down or had to drop out of roles page. Nov 28, 2007 actor sir ian mckellen refused to take over richard harris role of professor dumbledore in the harry potter film franchise because his portrayal of wizard gandalf in the lord of the rings.
Apr 04, 2017 ian mckellen as himself, and richard harris as dumbledore in the harry potter films. Ten actors who turned down legendary roles therichest. Apr 05, 2017 hugh jackman turned down perhaps the most classic role of all time because, apparently, he didnt want to be boxed in. Hugh jackman reveals he turned down a part in cats movie. The scottish actor has made a few film choice errors most notably passing on the chance to be in two of the biggest blockbuster series in recent history. Ian mckellen biography, news, photos and videos page 6. Apr 04, 2017 why ian mckellen really rejected the role of dumbledore.
Actors who turned down big movie roles lipstick alley. Mckellens work spans genres ranging from shakespearean and modern theatre to popular fantasy and science fiction. Originally christopher lee was eyeing the role of gandalf however in the end we can all agree the final roles were perfectly cast. Whether they declined because of scheduling conflicts or due to those classic creative differences, here are 50 actors who turned down major movie roles and some of them probably regret their. His parents, denis and margery, soon moved with ian and his sister jean to the coal mining town of wigan. Catharines college, cambridge, where as a student actor he was often directed by john barton, later of the royal shakespeare company. David schwimmer, the friends star, turned the role down as it did not match his style. Ian mckellen turned down less superior harry potter role.
Why ian mckellen really rejected the role of dumbledore. Ian mckellen biography, movie highlights and photos. They sure did during the filming of the lord of the rings. Did ian mckellen turn down the role of harry potters. The actor was approached to play dumbledore after richard harris passed away in 2002. He captured our hearts as gandalf the grey, but was sir ian mckellen almost one of the. Holmes 2015, the story of the great detective sherlock holmes battle against old age and dementia. She, however, turned down the iconic role of black widow in the movie iron man 2. Feb 03, 2020 as it turns out, the legendary role of gandalf, the wizened wizard at the heart of peter jacksons lord of the rings trilogy, was offered to several actors before ian mckellen, and plummer was one. Nov 05, 2019 for years, harry potter fans have believed that ian mckellen turned down the role of dumbledore in the moviespartially fueled by comments the actor himself has made. Great roles actors have turned down yahoo movies uk.
Blunt instead did a role in the box office flop gullivers travels. Lawrence in priest of love, but it was not until the 1990s that he became more widely recognised in this medium after several roles in blockbuster hollywood films. Ian mckellen ended up playing the bearded wizard, earning an oscar nomination for his efforts. Why ian mckellen turned down dumbledore role in harry. Human beings, reflects sir ian mckellen in joe stephensons winsome new doc mckellen. Did sir ian mckellen and sir christopher lee get on well on. This angered mckellens agent but the actor had the last laugh as the mi2 schedule overrunning would have prevented him signing up for the lord of the rings and xmen. While you cant now imagine anyone else playing gandalf other than sir ian mckellen, connery was in fact the first actor to be offered the role. Fact 1 some of his most famous movies are the lord of the rings film trilogy, xmen films.
What role does christopher plummer regret turning down. Jackman, 51, who was nominated for best actor at the 20 academy awards after starring in director tom. Sir ian mckellen has said the musical cats is a ridiculous enterprise but he believes it will be a classic film. Ian mckellen, british actor of great versatility who was especially noted for his work with the royal shakespeare company and for his eclectic filmography, which included the lord of the rings trilogy and the xmen series. In hindsight, seeing any other actors in the iconic roles of some of our favorite films seems impossible yet that was almost the case since the only reason they snagged the part is because another big name celeb passed on the gig. Join sign up keep track of your favorite shows and movies, across all your devices. Morgan freeman was offered a lead role in jurassic park, but he turned it down.
And though mckellen turned down the role, gambon may as well be his. Apr 04, 2017 mckellen, known for playing gandalf in the lord of the rings movies, then joked that he was the real wizard. Ian mckellen reveals why he didnt play dumbledore in the harry potter movies after richard harris death. Why ian mckellen turned down role in the harry potter films. As for the hobbit, mckellen and lee never saw each other. Mar 29, 2018 to find your local cinema and book tickets, please visit. Did he ever turn down the part of albus dumbledore in the harry potter movies. Sir ian mckellen has said he could never have taken over the role of professor. There is a fact about this film that was unknown to many movie fans. Alas, he turned the role down and the reason may surprise you. Ian mckellen had no idea how popular beauty and the beast.
Why ian mckellen turned down dumbledore in harry potter variety. Ian mckellen turned down a major role in the bbcs new. Ian mckellen has revealed why he turned down the role of dumbledore in the harry potter film series after richard harris death in 2002. Will smith, who played agent j outstandingly, was not the first choice of the film producers. He also befriends a fan, the young son of his housekeeper, who wants him to work again. An aged, retired sherlock holmes deals with early dementia, as he tries to remember his final case, and a mysterious woman, whose memory haunts him. Actors that turned down or had to drop out of roles page 3. Before she became buffy the vampire slayer, the star was almost the face of another iconic female character. To find your local cinema and book tickets, please visit. Oct 19, 2015 stars who turned down famous movie roles. It was not until 20 years later that mckellen became recognizable to international film. Fact 2 in 1979, he was made a commander of the order of the british empire.
Sir ian mckellen has revealed why he never took on the role of albus dumbledore in the harry potter movies the 77yearold english actor known for playing gandalf, another famous and bearded. Sep 25, 2019 they sure did during the filming of the lord of the rings. According to imdb, some of the names who turned down the film s title role include johnny depp, kevin bacon, nicolas cage, kevin costner. The real reason ian mckellen turned down the role of. Ian mckellen explains why he refused dumbledore role i couldnt take over the part from an actor who id known didnt approve of me, the star said. Ian mckellen as himself, and richard harris as dumbledore in the harry potter films. Mckellen turned down less superior harry potter role. When a twolettered word changed the course of cinematic history. He is the recipient of six laurence olivier awards, a tony award, a golden globe award, two academy award nominations, four bafta nominations and five emmy award nominations. Sir ian mckellen refused to play dumbledore in harry potter films as richard harris.
Before she became buffy the vampire slayer, the star was almost the face of another iconic female. Ian mckellen has revealed why he never took on the role of albus dumbledore in the harry potter movies. Apr 04, 2017 culture film news ian mckellen reveals why he turned down major harry potter role. Mckellens next screen role came in bill condons mr. This angered mckellen s agent but the actor had the last laugh as the mi2 schedule overrunning would have prevented him signing up for the lord of the rings and xmen. Ian mckellen explains why he refused dumbledore role. Wait, its a lie that ian mckellen turned down playing. On may 25th, 1939, in the town of burnley in northern england, ian murray mckellen was born.
He preferred to play a role that wouldnt typecast him quite so much, that would leave doors open in his careerwhich is why he decided to play the same character thats wolverine, from xmen, for those under a rock for 17. He is the recipient of six laurence olivier awards, a tony award, a golden globe award, a screen actors guild award, a bif award, two saturn awards, four drama desk awards, and two critics choice awards. Now, were not sure what that feels like, but sir ian mckellen sure does. Apr 04, 2017 ian mckellen explains why he refused dumbledore role i couldnt take over the part from an actor who id known didnt approve of me, the star said. While you cant now imagine anyone else playing gandalf other than sir ian mckellen, connery was in. Whether due to personal reasons, financial disputes or the tried and true scheduling conflict, these big name stars turned down some ridiculously major roles. Heres why ian mckellen turned down a role in the harry potter. The role got even bigger when it was included as one of the main characters in the avengers. But when he was asked is there a role youve ever turned down because it was too puerile, too silly, just. Sir ian mckellen refused to play dumbledore in harry potter films as.
His career spans genres ranging from shakespearean and modern theatre to popular fantasy and science fiction. Did ian mckellen turn down the role of harry potters dumbledore. Mckellen had taken film roles throughout his careerbeginning in 1969 with his role of george matthews in a touch of love, and his first leading role was in 1980 as d. Heres why ian mckellen turned down a role in the harry. But the veteran scot turned down the role of jrr tolkiens.
He was played by michael gambon for the remaining six films. Did sir ian mckellen and sir christopher lee get on well. But it turns out the actor could have played a hirsute magician in yet another classic film franchise. Fact 10 in 2004, ian mckellen turned down the role of professor dumbledore in harry potter and the prisoner of azkaban. Ian mckellen turned down less superior harry potter role actor sir ian mckellen refused to take over richard harris role of professor dumbledore in the harry potter film. Ian mckellen reveals he turned down a major harry potter role. Ian mckellen on harry potter dumbledore role mental floss. Sir ian mckellen turned down role in jeremy thorpe scandal drama a very english scandals director revealed the star refused the role to avoid comparisons with peter cook.
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