McKellen talks Gandalf vs. Dumbledore
McKellen talks Gandalf vs. Dumbledore Sir Ian McKellen was recently interviewed by The Guardian where amongst other things he discusses Dumbledore vs. Gandalf, the character who he played in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

McKellen says that while he and Michael Gambon are close friends, the topic of "how to play a wizard" has never come up. And as far as if he would have taken over the role of Dumbledore from the late Richard Harris, McKellen said:

"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."

When asked who would win the battle between Dumbledore and Gandalf, McKellen never hesitated, "Gandalf. Of course."
Posted by Micah on Nov 24th | 364 Comments
Visitor Comments
Posted by albusmademecry Nov 24th 2007

Dumbledore would so rule Gandalf! 1st!


Posted by scout5 Nov 24th 2007

Hmm they are pretty similar, but sorry, Dumbledore would kill Gandalf in a fight.


Posted by beakany Nov 24th 2007

awe too bad...i think ian mckellen would have made an awesome dumbledore


Posted by GrangerLaughs Nov 24th 2007

What is it with this whole, "Dumbledore vs. Gandalf" thing? I am a HUGE fan of both Lotr and Hp and I don't see the point in this kind of thing. They are both extremely different, so it isn't sensible to even make a comparison. I love them both.


Posted by ginerva_weasley Nov 24th 2007

i have a feeling that Richard Harris would have perferred McKellan to Gambon. I think he would have preferred William Shatner to Gambon. But Dumbledore would totally pwn Gandalf in a duel.


Posted by lily13 Nov 24th 2007

I'm sorry, but as much as I love LOTR, Dumbledore would so kick ass!


Posted by chikorita1999 Nov 24th 2007

Yeah, I agree with GrangerLaughs, you can't really compare them, and there is not really a point in trying!


Posted by marykate896 Nov 24th 2007

I love Dumbledore and Gandalf! I still think that Ian McKellen would have been the best Dumbledore!


Posted by DeAtH_EaTeR_18 Nov 24th 2007

i have no doubt in my mind dat dumbledore would own gandalf


Posted by AcidPops33 Nov 24th 2007

Ooh... LotR vs. Hp.. The ultimate showdown!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D Jk, can't wait to read!


Posted by Ginnylostharrytome Nov 24th 2007

pssh dumbledore would sooo kick gandalf's arse!!!


Posted by seventysix Nov 24th 2007

HA. Lies. Harris could act the pants off of Gambon anyday, even dead.


Posted by fefe_bologna Nov 24th 2007

I think Dumbledore would definitely trump Gandalf. Dumbledore all the way!


Posted by hpintwense06 Nov 24th 2007

nuh-uh Dumbledore would so totally win!!! I mean he made Voldemort scared! haha


Posted by normalac Nov 24th 2007

Sorry but as much as I ADORE Dumbledore I think Gandalf would win. Sorry Dambi...


Posted by honeydukes0209 Nov 24th 2007

Pssh...whatever...DUMBLED ORE'S ARMY!!!!


Posted by slytherinsgirl4ever Nov 24th 2007

hmm Im kinda glad he didnt play him ultimatly. Orginally I was dissapointed but after the revelation about dumbledore (shhh with the groans lol) i think he might have taken that abit too much to heart.... (if you didnt know McKellen is insasably fruity. lol)


Posted by LGMB Nov 24th 2007

Well seeing as how LOTR and HP have very different "rules" regarding how magic works, you just can't compare the two. Wizards play a very small part of LOTR, whereas wizards/magic in HP is everything. LOTR magic rules are must more strict and specific.


Posted by purplechoco Nov 24th 2007

number 18!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE GANDALF AND DD


Posted by ickle_voldy7 Nov 24th 2007

Dumbledore could totally beat Gandalf hands down, no question about it.... keep in mind, he's got the unbeatable Elder Wand of course.


Posted by Jack_Noshima Nov 24th 2007

i think Dumbledore would... if it came down to a magical talent, no rules attached fight Dumbledore would easily win


Posted by HisSerenade Nov 24th 2007

I am not troubled about it. I like Michael Gambon as Dumbledore very very much, but I suppose that Ian would have done almost as well. I am very big fan of the Lord of the Rings movies, but first and foremost a fan of the books, as I am with the Harry Potter series. I'm happy with the way things are with the Harry Potter casting.


Posted by member_of_SPEW Nov 24th 2007

AWESOME!!! *rushes to read it right now*


Posted by purplechoco Nov 24th 2007

i think gandalf would win, he is the white wizard!


Posted by JamesNorrington Nov 24th 2007

I love Ian McKellen so much. He is made of hardcore win. xDD McKellen!Gandalf would totally beat Gambon!Dumbles, but it would be a much closer match against Harris!Dumbles. But he'd still win. xD He's just too awesome. But I do believe that Dumbledore himself would be very close friends with Gandalf. They are just cool like that. :D


Posted by randomchat Nov 24th 2007

I've never watched/read Lord of the Rings. I hear it is a nice story, but I'm much too big of a Harry Potter fan. :D Didn't MuggleCast have a short discussion involving this McKellen guy?


Posted by ginerva_weasley Nov 24th 2007

randomchat, you should definatly read AND watch LOTR. Its an amazing novel, and the movies were extremely faithful to the books. Much more so than HP.


Posted by CROOKSHANKS99 Nov 24th 2007

dumbledore would kill gandalf.....end of story we all know it....:D


Posted by gredandfeorgefan Nov 24th 2007

of course gandalf would win dumbly wouldent have a chance against that guy,dumbledore rules ...but in my oppinion gandalf is a FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR better wizard (and more expirianced after all he is more then 1000 years old ) ..and come on dumbles would never manage that balrog alone would he *smirk*....long story short GANALF A TOTTALY VBETTER WIZARD =)


Posted by member_of_SPEW Nov 24th 2007

aaah he would make a perfect Lear! we just finished reading that in English. I love most of that article! (anybody who has read it knows what I mean.) But I've got to say, Gandalf would win. Dumbledore is human - he says so himself - whereas in LotR, wizards are sort of above human in the way elves are, if I'm remembering right. So there's no way Dumbledore could defeat him. But I agree with JamesNorrington, they would definately be friends!


Posted by D_A_beastz Nov 24th 2007

dude...Dumbledore would so totaly kick Gandalfs butt! I think it would kinda be cool if they were friends, that would make the camera's go crazy, the actors of Dumbledore and Gandalf having coffee together, lol


Posted by rob1007 Nov 24th 2007

thats hard i dont know who would win their both awesome wizards but in different ways


Posted by sammygirlpower Nov 24th 2007

Guys remember when Gandalf 'died' he could come back. but dumbledore couldn't...he moved on... or else if he didnt he could only come back as a... uh..ghost..which wouldn't stand a chance against 'gandalf the white' after the grey gandalf 'died'. So its like grey gand vs Dumbledore...gandalf would still come back after an avada kedavra.. but D is extremely intelligent and really he's the brains behind destroying voldemort even though harry did it... i dont see gandalf planning that much to help frodo... off tangent...who do you think has the cooler name? or should i say the um...'gayer' name?


Posted by sirius_rox Nov 24th 2007

what?!?!? Dumbledore would totally win! he has a wand!!! and he's the greatest wizard known to man!!


Posted by Find_The_Horcruxes Nov 24th 2007

Dumbledore makes Gandalf eat his broccoli. D:


Posted by Tauriel Nov 24th 2007

LMAO. How can you guys possibly think that Dumbledore, a mere mortal, could ever win over Gandalf, one of the most powerful Maiar, who were immortal? (Yes, he did die, but it was only his human body that did, one that he took upon himself when he was sent to Middle-earth). I know it's useless comparing HP and LOTR, as both are good on their own, but Gandalf and Dumbledore are on totally different levels - and Gandalf is definitely far more superior to DD. Besides, DD was INSPIRED by Gandalf, for God's sake!


Posted by kooldude10694 Nov 24th 2007

Dumbledore would win! I'm sure Dumbledore is like 1000x powerful as Dumbledore!


Posted by HRHFOREVER Nov 24th 2007

I don't think that you could compare Dumbledore and Gandalf. I love them both and for different reasons. Anyway, I don't ever think that they would duel with each other because I think that they would become really good friends if they ever met. Other than that, I totally think that Ian McKellen would be an AWESOME Dumbledore, and I was kind of surprised that Richard Harris didn't think that he was a very good actor. But I guess if Ian McKellen didn't want to play Dumbledore, it was his choice. He was a brilliant Gandalf, and I don't think that anyone could've played him better!


Posted by Tauriel Nov 24th 2007

Of course they wouldn't fight each other if they met. But that doesn't change the fact that Gandalf was a far more powerful wizard than Dumbledore.


Posted by fawkes6jgm Nov 24th 2007

i would have loved if ian played dumbledore...i really don't like gambon. but i guess that after richard harris nobody would be good. and, yes, gandalf would get owned by dumbledore. i mean, what can gandalf do...ohhhh bright light, my eyes hurt. dumbledore has an unlimited source of power. duhhh


Posted by AcidPops33 Nov 24th 2007

Psh, Dumbledore would so pwn Gandalf...


Posted by artemisandapolla9328 Nov 24th 2007

I think Dumbledore would have made an owning show over Gandalf. However, I do think McKellen would be a much better Dumbledore than Gambon.


Posted by swim_elf Nov 24th 2007

I quite agree Dumbledore is way better then Gandalf!! My family is split by Harry Potter vs. Lord of the Rings. My sister and I LOVE Harry Potter and my Parents and other sister like Lord of the Rings. Although the Lord of the Rings movies beat the Harry Potter movies hands down but what movie (excluding the Eragon movie, which hardly even counts as a movie) doesn't!


Posted by gredandfeorgefan Nov 24th 2007

i compleaty agree with sammygirlpower if in the highly inlikely event of gandalf beeing beated by dumbles gandalf would gust come back to life just like ofter the nalrog insedent as ......ummm.....well the point is that he would come back...i am indeed both crazy hp and LoTR fan but i still consider gandalf to be far wiser cooler and generaly better ..GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF ROCKS ...one can just imagine malfoy:i had a bet with my father,i seid that that dumbles wouldent last 10min against gandalf...he seid 5 ..;D


Posted by HP1990 Nov 24th 2007

Dumbledore would OWN that gandalf or whoever he is.


Posted by trueligth Nov 24th 2007

i like both, and i think in the characthers they paly they going according to their personalities.


Posted by hallowsaint Nov 24th 2007

sorry but Gandalf would totally pwn on Dumbledore's gay self....chant with me GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF G...


Posted by hallowsaint Nov 24th 2007

sorry but Gandalf would totally pwn on Dumbledore's gay self....chant with me GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF G...


Posted by hallowsaint Nov 24th 2007

sorry but Gandalf would totally pwn on Dumbledore's gay self....chant with me GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF G...


Posted by hallowsaint Nov 24th 2007

sorry but Gandalf would totally pwn on Dumbledore's gay self....chant with me GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF GANDALF G...






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