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) not considered to replace him? Well, it turns out he was.

In the Harry Potter franchise, the character of Severus ... That was almost reality for Ian McKellen who was asked to take on ...

In Sir Ian McKellen and I’s defense ... They also serve similar purposes in their respective franchises. In the Harry Potter movies, Dumbledore is Harry and the students’ advisor and guardian.