So why, after actor Richard Harris passed away in 2002 after filming the first two Harry Potter films, was Ian McKellen (a.k.a. Gandalf) **t considered to replace him?
During a recent interview on the BBC's HARDTalk show, McKellen explained that he was actually contacted about appearing in the franchise — but he said **.
While talking about McKellen's critics, interviewer Stephen Sackur recited a quote from Richard Harris about McKellen and some other actors. Apparently Harris had previously described him as "technically brilliant but passionless." Read more...