That's why the books are always better! Becuz everyone can imagian the story better instead of being told what they should nbe like! Just like this next film I have a feeling I'm going to be disapointed big time too much is being left out and the actors? Well we'll just have to wait and see

Books historically are better. Gone With the Wind left out Scarlett's sister in the movie. Travesty! Read the book. Potter movies are a mere shadow of the books. They can't help it, the producers did the best they could with limitations of time and technology. Would Dumbledore win over Gandolf? No, probably not. Dumbledore dabbled in dark magic, Gandolf did not. That alone would make his magic stronger.

I think Dumbledore would win, though I think they would probably get along. Dumbledore hands down, but I do see why Gandalf did not take on Dumbledore as well, it would make Albus so close in similiarity to Gandalf that it would be very odd to see them as different people. C'mon Dumbledore is dead, why can't they give him break! Gandalf did not die, for the most part. My friend is still going nuts about what JK said about Dumbledore's love life! C'MON, VOLDE IS EVEN AFRAID OF ALBUS, AND HE IS TOO PROUD TO FEAR MUCH! Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore hands down, ha he knows more than Gandalf, like the Darks Arts, I bet Gandalf never knew what the Dark Arts felt like. Don't get me wrong I love Gandalf, but I like Dumbledore better, he seems more human and more not all powerful.

aghhh Ian Mckellan would've been sooo perfect for Dumbledore. i think even better than Richard Harris, although he was a MUST for lotr, so i guess he couldn't have played both gandalf and dumbledore :( . but yah, Ian just has this awesome Dumbledore-esque coolness, isn't he even gay? he even has this characteristic wink that he does in da vinci code, x-men....ahh wat a shame. and yet again- GAmnbon SUCKS, i cannot wait to see Alan Rickman blast him off the astronomy tower. lawlz i sooo agree with this: "HA. Lies. Harris could act the pants off of Gambon anyday, even dead."

Hm...now the true question is...Ben vs Dumbledore...

stop being lame. dumbledore would win. and plus, don't make gay jokes, that's rude. gandalf is cool and all, but his staff broke. and he killed people. dumbledore never killed if he had to. shows that he's MUCH better of a person.

Here here skimboardergirl4

well i was reading some of the earlier comments and was reminded why i hate gambon so much. seriously, he knows nothing of the character and doesnt have the class or discipline to read about the characer that is so huge in this universal story its such a disappointment. whereas sir ian has the suave reminiscent of dumbledore. its a kind of intelligent, calm, and controlled emotion that gambon's prtrayl laaaacks.

how would gandalf ever beat dumbledore? gandalf tripped off a cliff and died, dumbledore planned his own death. who do you think is a better wizard?!

gandalf =]

actually i just remembered Ian McKellen is gay. and so is Dumbledore 0_o i still love Gandalf =]

DUMBLEDORE DUMBLEDORE DUMBLEDORE DUMBLEDORE DUMBLEDORE DUMBLEDORE DUMBLEDORE DUMBLEDORE DUMBLEDORE DUMBLEDORE DUMBLEDORE DUMBLEDORE DUMBLEDORE DUMBLEDORE DUMBLEDORE DUMBLEDORE DUMBLEDORE DUMBLEDORE DUMBLEDORE DUMBLEDORE DUMBLEDORE DUMBLEDORE DUMBLEDORE DUMBLEDORE DUMBLEDORE DUMBLEDORE DUMBLEDORE DUMBLEDORE DUMBLEDORE DUMBLEDORE DUMBLEDORE DUMBLEDORE DUMBLEDORE DUMBLEDORE DUMBLEDORE DUMBLEDORE DUMBLEDORE DUMBLEDORE DUMBLEDORE DUMBLEDORE DUMBLEDORE DUMBLEDORE

being both a huge Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter fan, I have debated this many times with friends, and have changed my mind many times, but with all the books out i can officially say that dumbledore would kick gandalf all the way to middle-earth and back. All gandalf has is a staff that got way to easily destroyed by the witch-king. He got defeated by said witch-king, after already being defeated by the balraug (sp?). Dumbledore can do all sorts of crazy things with his wand. He could transfigure Gandalf into a bullfrog or something before he had a chance to blink. Having said that, both Gandalf and Dumbledore are equally awesome, albiet for very different reasons.

hahahahahahhahahahahahah omg i love what he said about Harris!!!! LOL! also DUMBLEDORE ftw.

DUMBLEDORE WOULD TOTALLY WIN GANDALF!!!!!!! DUMBLEDORE IS ALWAYS THE CLEVER ONE AND CAN THINK OF THINGS VERY FAST!!!!!! EVEN VOLDEMORT IS SCARED OF DUMBLEDORE!!!!!!

haha... i was thinking... we all cried when we read that dumbledore had cried. honestly... when gambon dies as dumbledore... i honestly think i might laugh....i know it sounds wierd but... gambon is the worst dumbledore ever and when he dies.... i wont get emotional... bc the scenes going to suck.

Well since they say its comedy flick then I guess they may make Doumbledore's death funny. (lord I hope not)Sad but who knows, the more news I hear about HBP the more pissed I get you'd think JK would step up and stop butchering my work! But alas I don't see that happening.

Guys? Remember who Dumbledore and Gandalf are. They are so alike, and if you know what either is like, you'd know that they wouldn't HAVE a fight in the first place. So there's no point is saying who would "win". Okay, I can see why Ian McKellen would be offended by what Harris said and not want to take the part, but I really wish he had. He would have been a great Dumbledore I think. A million times better than Gambon, but who isn't? Ian's one of my favorite actors ever and I really wish he could have played one of my favorite fictional characters ever.

i know! i wish jkr would save us from this distress. shes letting her movies get rotten!

i just gotta say it: i love ian mckellen!

***SPOILERS***ok-first of all, i love both series' SO MUCH. In regards to the ''who would win in a fight'' scenario, i'm sorry to say that gandalf would ROCK dumbledore for the following reasons: -Dumbledore can be killed, while Gandalf has been sent to earth by the Valar (gods), and they can always send him back.(and did, in FoTR) -Gandalf has in his possession a Ring Of Power. Dumbledore tried to use a magical ring and effectively killed himself with it. -Dumbledore has a small following of the Order of the Phoenix and the DA, Gandalf has much more powerful friends in all the Elves, not to mention the kingdoms of Rohan and Gondor, and maybe even some dwarves. On the other hand, I do feel more emotional pull towards Dumbledore; and the Battle of Hogwarts was the best chapter of all time. When Dumbledore fell off the Astronomy Tower, I cried so hard, when Gandalf fell off the Bridge of Khazad-Dhum, I didn't. So although I am more loyal to Dumbledore, Gandalf's character background has so much more strength.

I love the harry potter books dearly, more than i can even describe. but i also really like the lord of the rings movies, and have to admit, gandalf is awesome.

LOL, Gandalf is the original? Hmm. I thought that was Merlin....

Wow. My waning love for Richard Harris? Officially dead. Love Ian McKellen, and Gandalf would totally win. I can't see them having an intense wizardly showdown, though ... they're pretty pleasant, whimsical guys ...

You know the only time that I have really liked Gambon was when he played a really dumb PM in Ali G Indahouse. Sorry guys but that's how I feel. You would think that after playing Dumbledore that Gambon would have atleast picked up one of the HP books or better yet have someone in his family tell him that he is doing the part all wrong. BUT!!!!! The directors that are directing these movies are letting him be that way and could very possibly be telling him to act that way. I don't know. None of us do because we aren't on set. And anyone who has been to the set please tell us how it has been!! Thank you

You know who wins? Merlin. Respect the lore.

Haha, I love Sir Ian, he's so cool.

MuggleCast???????

I'm guessing that the people saying that Dumbledore would beat Gandalf have never bothered picking up a copy of "The Lord of the Rings". I also notice that the people supporting Gandalf generally have a better grasp of English spelling and grammar. Gandalf is immortal. He's basically a demigod. Dumbledore, as lovable as he is, is just an old man who is virtually powerless without a wand.

Wow, I didn't think I'd ever see the day when Harry Potter fans would have their own little, Picard vs. Kirk debate. Oh well, we all know that Dumbledore would Avada Kedavra Gandalf, and that would be over. For those of those that say Dumbledore would never do that...well, there was no way he was gay either....just kidding. Seriously though, I have read both series, and I'm still going to say Dumbledore. Maybe this will be the next Dueling Club on Mugglecast! Just an idea...

I think Michael Gambon does a wonderful Dumbledore. Seems to me like half of you skipped over Prisoner of Azkaban. He was the epitome of what Dumbledore was supposed to be in that film. Especially when Hermione says, after they save Buckbeack, "We did it!" and he says, "Did what? Goodnight" and smiles. I think, in Goblet of Fire, Gambdon did exceptionally well in the scene when Harry's name came out of the Goblet. He did look worried. I thought it was wonderful when Dumbledore yelled at Harry. It would have made him look suspicious to the other headmasters if he hadn't. He then calms down and firmly says, "Are you absolutely sure you didn't put your name in that Goblet?" I thought it was iconically Dumbledore. Plus, non-readers watch these movies, too. How stupid, to them, would it be to have Dumbledore kind of wave off Harry's name coming out in some calm manner? Pretty stupid, I say.

I just had a thought about all these actors and what not! Ponder this! Look how old the movie parents of Harry are. They look to be atleast late 30s I mean James is already going bald in COS in the mirror but by the books Harry's parents were just barley 21! Just thought I'd throw that put there.

I have not the slightest doubt that Gandalf would win!!! Dumbledore's powers are childish when compared to him! He is also a much better person - especially since the recent disgusting tarnish on Dumbledore's reputation!

Dumbledore is more powerful and I like him more. However Gandlaf wasn't human so he will win. If it was a case of Ian against Harris it will be Ian and if it was a case of Ian as dumbledore against gambon it will be Ian. And if it was a case of Cameron Diez as Dumbledore against Gambon as Dumbledore it will be Diez....

I know this has nothing to do with the board at hand (who would win) but I just read an interview given by the HP trio talking about HBP and I just had to vent!!!!!!!!!! They were saying that the tone for HBP will be a light on the darkness and hbp will be a romantic comedy now! Man that burns me up! Atleast Daniel says he's not happy with it he would rather play the darkside. Sorry but this just makes me mad. And the interview is being printed in this mornings issue of the Sun

Oh man. I am such a big fan of both. Truthfully, if they met they would become friends, in my opinion, and not get into a fight. And although I would tend to lean a little more towards Gandalf winning a fight, anyone who has read the books and watched the movies of both series would know that you can't really and truly compare their power because their type of magic is so different. Dumbledore uses extremely powerful magic all the time in Harry's world by use of a wand while Gandalf, being like an immortal being, has a more mysterious brand of magic that isn't used constantly but kicks major and extreme butt every time it is used. Like another person mentioned on this comment board, Wizards in Harry's world use magic to do just about every single thing in their lives while wizards of Middle Earth don't do the type of spells done constantly in Harry's world, such as making things appear, float, transfigure, etc. They are along the line of Elves, who tend to be looked at as a step above humans, almost like mysterious demigods, who look beautiful and peaceful on the outside but who hide hidden power far too great to be imagined. Therefore, Dumbledore and Gandalf are both powerful in their own way. One has power that is "seen" more often, more out in the open, while the other has power that is not necessarily hidden, everyone around him can deffinitely sense the power, but is usually used at the utmost time of need. And we all have to remember that J.K. Rowling has said herself that some of her writing was inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien's work. Tolkien, of course, was the one who really started the fantasy craze way back when, and yes, there has always been the legend of Merlin but authors really didn't feel comfortable with the fantasy genre until they saw Tolkien's books rise in popularity. Either way, both Dumbledore AND Gandalf rock!!!!

Ohh God.... did anyone notice the new poll? I think I might cry... that's the saddest thing I've seen on the site, after the banner of Hanna Montana at the very top of the page... What has this site, which used to be the best one dedicated to Harry Potter, turned into..? How sad that the staff doesn't care anymore as much as they do about their own popularity now...

And I have to say that as much as I love Ian, I would not want him to play the part only because that would so type cast him! Although, he would have played the part excellently!

leon_cita--I agree that Mugglenet has never been the quickest on news.However when I see them posting something before leaky I think: 'Mugglenet PWNS'. And when it doesn't I get a big smile on my face and an urge to hug MuggleNet which is a site so I kind of have problem with that. However it is obvious that Leaky is running out of news so I think that MuggleNet should become a fantasy book website which will have an empasis on Harry Potter and Jo (as that is what it was to begin with and that is the best book and writer ever). You should also remember that Jo will want her books to inspire us to read(which they do) and if Mugglenet will start showing news about other books and writers(again with an emphsis on HP) it will inspire us to read while keeping itself alive(which it is anyway but this can help a lot) and growing. As I read yesterday in a good fantasy book-what isn't growing is dying. Again I'm not saying that MuggleNet should stop focusing on HP news Im saying it should start start reporting on other fantasy books(It's already doing so with the ads and polls). I will also want to point again that I do not think Mugglenet will die out if it won't do that(It will only be gone when none here are loyal to it-and I promise to be) but I think it will could contribute much more if now that the series are done it will choose this way.

I wish Ian could play Dumbledore... actually, I always see him in my head when I read the books, not Michael Gambon. But oh well... xP I'm a really big LotR fan aswell as HP, so I don't know who would win. They are both talented in their own ways..

When i heard richard harris died i was so completely sure ian mckellen would get the part - he was the perfect dumbledore...and i'm not that fond of gambon's acting (too cruel, wrong voice, everything ian mckellen is not...)...as for who would win...i love hp so much more than lotr but in this case...i think gandalf would win....although i do see them more as the same kind of wizard...

Gandalf would win! lol.

GAMBON SOMEHOW LACKS DEPTH. IAN MCKELLEN, who I think is a great actor, WOULD BE PERFECT FOR DUMBLEDORE--THE MOST COMPLEX AND AMAZING WIZARD EVER!

Merlin is the original and he would wipe the floor with the young upstarts Gandalf and Dumbledore and lets not forget Slarty Bardfast either.

Gandalf and Dumbledore wouldn't fight- they'd sit down for a large cup of brandy and talk about Harry. Anyways- all this Ian McKellan talk is bringing back disgusting memories of seeing him in King Leer. Be warned, people who go see it- the "brief nudity" is Ian.

I'm sorry, Dumbledore ... but Gandalf would totally win. ;)

I don't know anything about Lord of the Rings, but I am sure whoever Gandalf is, Dumbledore would beat anyone. Dumbledore is the BEST, and I mean Dumbledore that I know from the books, not including any of the stuff that came out about him after the series was over. Dumbledore will always be the true character we love from the books. And of course it's obvious that this BEST character from the books was portrayed by the WORST actor in the movies, Michael Gambon. I am not looking forward to the Half-Blood Prince movie because of how he will ruin the role of Dumbledore as he did in the previous movies. He doesn't know anything about Dumbledore, and he acts him all WRONG.

I agree with Spirit and me_again. Ian McKellen is 100% wrong in stating that Gandalf was "the original." If by "the original" he means "the first wise old wizard of the fantasy genre" then "the original" would be Merlin. Merlin was the first of the wise old wizards but he wasn't a blueprint for the personality of the modern fantasy wizards we're discussing. Despite Dumbledore being considered Gandalf's modern-day counterpart, the two have extremely different personalites and roles as characters. If the LotR and HP fandoms were somehow mixed, would Dumbledore ever smack a hobbit and call him a "fool of a Took" and would Gandalf ever take the time to advocate house-elf rights and fight prejudice against werewolves? I don't think so. Plus, most people seem to have a much stronger emotional attachment to Dumbledore than to Gandalf. That proves a major difference in character. Sorry for the ranting but I just wanted to make clear that Dumbledore is by no means Gandalf's duplicate. Now as to who would win in a duel...Gandalf would. Simply because he's immortal.

Victory says: "I have not the slightest doubt that Gandalf would win!!! Dumbledore's powers are childish when compared to him! He is also a much better person - especially since the recent disgusting tarnish on Dumbledore's reputation!" Okay...3 things. (1.) Dumbledore's powers are not "childish" compared to Gandalf's. Dumbledore can do quite a bit of wandless magic and was able to determine where some of the Horcruxes lay using this magic. True, Gandalf does beat Dumbledore because Gandalf can't die, but I'd say the powers that they can use while alive are pretty evenly matched. Some think that Dumbledore is nothing without his wand, but Gandalf also has a magic staff that considerably strengthens him and without it he is obviously weaker than before. (2.) Gandalf is not a better person than Dumbledore. Gandalf hits hobbits. He is grumpy and agressive. Dumbledore is kind and patient. (I'm talking the character portrayed in the books, NOT the movies, because Gambon's poor excuse for Dumbledore is grumpy and aggressive whereas JKR makes a point of showing Dumbledore's kindness and patience.) (3.) Being gay doesn't put a "disgusting tarnish" on Dumbledore's reputation. Yeah, it's a part of his character many people didn't expect, but it doesn't change his reputation in the slightest. In my humble opinion homophobia has put a tarnish on your reputation.

I adore Dumbledore, but I'm afraid Gandalf could own him ANY day. Gandalf fought a BALROG, for pity's sake. He fought off the Witch King. He tamed Shadowfax. He defeated SARUMAN. Dumbledore's wonderful and everything, but no...just...no. Not to mention that fact that Gandalf is more intelligent, wittier, and has lived longer, learned more and was written by a superior writer. Sorry J.K. You know I love you really.