Bollywood Legend Turned Down Chance to Play Dumbledore
A major Bollywood star was once invited to try out for a key role in the Harry Potter films, but the story took an unexpected turn. Find out which icon was approached and why the opportunity slipped away.
With HBO’s fresh take on the Harry Potter universe in the works, an old bit of casting news has come back into the spotlight. During a Q&A on Twitter with The Times of India, it came out that Naseeruddin Shah, a giant of Indian cinema, was once asked to audition for the part of Albus Dumbledore. Shah revealed,
My agent wanted me to audition for Dumbledore’s character after Richard Harris died. I was asked if I would like to audition for it. But I wouldn’t audition for it.
After Richard Harris, who played the Hogwarts headmaster in the first two films, passed away, Shah’s agent encouraged him to go for the role. Still, Shah decided not to put his name forward. The part eventually went to Michael Gambon, who played the character for the next six films.
Barriers to Casting: The British-Only Rule
Although Shah had already appeared in Hollywood productions, including The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, his chances of landing the Hogwarts gig were always slim. Even if he’d been keen to audition, the franchise’s strict policy of casting only British and Irish actors would have ruled him out. Warner Bros. had previously knocked back Robin Williams, who was eager to play either Hagrid or Lupin, for the same reason. The studio wanted to keep the cast authentically British, a decision closely watched by J.K. Rowling herself, who was heavily involved in the films’ production at the time. So, even if Shah had thrown his hat in the ring, the odds were stacked against him.
These days, things are shifting. The new HBO series is taking a more open approach, with American actor John Lithgow now cast as Dumbledore. The door is wider for international talent, and someone like Shah would have a much better shot now than he did back in the early 2000s.
Who Else Nearly Became Hogwarts’ Headmaster?
Albus Dumbledore has always been a central figure in the Harry Potter world, and recasting him after Harris’ death was no small task. The studio considered a handful of legendary actors before settling on Gambon. Ian McKellen, already famous for playing Gandalf, was one of the top names floated. Others in the mix included Peter O’Toole, Christopher Lee, Sean Connery, and Patrick McGoohan. Each brought their own style, but none ended up donning the wizard’s robes.
After Harris and Gambon, Jude Law also took on the role in the Fantastic Beasts films, and now John Lithgow is stepping in for the HBO series. The character’s legacy continues to evolve with each new portrayal.
Harry Potter: A Quick Look at the Franchise
The Harry Potter series, penned by J.K. Rowling, includes seven books and eight main films, not counting the three Fantastic Beasts spin-offs. Warner Bros. Pictures produced the films, which have raked in a massive $9.5 billion at the box office. The main cast featured Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Michael Gambon, Alan Rickman, and Ralph Fiennes. The franchise remains a cultural juggernaut, with new adaptations and casting choices keeping fans talking.
Let us know which actor you reckon nailed the role of Dumbledore best. Harry Potter is currently streaming in Australia on HBO Max.