A Bollywood Legend Could Have Been Dumbledore. Here's Why He Wasn't.
The role of Albus Dumbledore is iconic, but it almost went to a completely unexpected actor. A legendary Bollywood star was approached to audition for the part after Richard Harris's passing. Discover the surprising story behind the casting decision and why it never came to be.
With HBO's new series on the horizon, fascinating details about the original movies are coming to light once again. A particularly surprising story has resurfaced involving legendary Bollywood actor Naseeruddin Shah, who revealed he was once asked to try out for the part of Albus Dumbledore.
During a Q&A session, Shah explained the situation.
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.
The actor confirmed his agent pushed for him to audition following the death of Richard Harris, the original Hogwarts headmaster. Despite the opportunity, the Indian star chose not to pursue it. The part ultimately went to Michael Gambon, who famously portrayed the powerful wizard for the remaining six installments of the series.
Casting Rules and Missed Opportunities
Even if Shah had decided to audition, his chances were slim. The acclaimed star, who had already appeared in Hollywood as Captain Nemo in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, would have run into a major roadblock: the production's rigid "British and Irish actors only" rule. This policy was strictly enforced to maintain the cultural authenticity of the wizarding world.
This wasn't an isolated issue. The studio famously turned away the beloved American actor Robin Williams, who was eager to play either Rubeus Hagrid or Remus Lupin. Despite his global fame and suitability for the roles, he was rejected because he wasn't British. With author J.K. Rowling heavily involved in production and overseeing casting decisions, it would have been nearly impossible for Shah to secure the part.
A New Era for the Wizarding World
Today, the landscape looks quite different. The upcoming HBO series is adopting a more inclusive casting strategy, a major shift from the original movies. In fact, American actor John Lithgow has already been cast as the Hogwarts headmaster.
This modern approach suggests that the franchise is now open to talent from around the globe. An actor with Shah's background would likely have a much stronger opportunity in the current environment than he did back in the early 2000s.
The Other Contenders for the Role
Recasting such a central character after Richard Harris’s death was a monumental task for the studio. Dumbledore is one of the most significant figures in the entire story, and finding the right replacement was critical. The pressure was immense, and producers considered several legendary actors to fill the iconic robes.
Before Michael Gambon was chosen, a few other huge names were in the mix. Ian McKellen, already famous for playing Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings, was a popular consideration. Other potential candidates included screen legends like Peter O’Toole, Christopher Lee, Sean Connery and Patrick McGoohan.
While each of these actors could have brought a unique presence to the character, none were ultimately selected. The role went to Gambon, who brought a distinct intensity and gravity to the headmaster. Following Gambon's portrayal and Jude Law's take on a younger version of the character, the mantle has now been passed to John Lithgow for the new series.