Why Harry Potter Recast Dumbledore After Chamber Of Secrets

Franchise mainstay Albus Dumbledore, played by Michael Gambon in six Harry Potter movies, and Jude Law in the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them spin-offs, was initially portrayed by Irish actor Richard Harris in the first two Harry Potter movies, but what was the reason behind the Dumbledore actor change? When the role of Albus Dumbledore was initially being cast ahead of 2001’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, actors Patrick McGoohan and Sean Connery were targeted for the part. The key role eventually went to Harris, and the actor was expected to play the part throughout the entire film franchise.