Submitted by: Kyle Nin (SoSF Staff Reporter)
“I don’t know yet,” Watson told Newsweek when asked about returning to the project. “Every film is such a huge production, and it’s a long time.”
Of course everyone involved will be taken back if the young actress decides to not return, and doing a recast of her character may not prove as easy as what was done when Richard Harris died. His role was successfully recast with Michael Gambon. Watson’s character is too central however, and her face may be too familiar to fans to try and recast her at this time.
David Heyman, the film’s producer was candid in saying her loss “would be a hard thing to change and it would be disrupting … but ultimately [Watson and any of the other leads] have to do what’s right for them. This is their lives, I’m cautiously optimistic that it will work itself out.”
I don’t know if I’d go so far as the recasting of dumbledore as a success. It was passable, but I much prefer Mr Harris’ portrayal.
I agree with you Tom. I would have been much happier if they would have simply killed off Dumbledore and made Michael a new character in charge of the school.
First, Sam, they couldn’t replace Dumbledore. As those who read the books know, Dumbledore is an integral part of the mythos and the story arcs of the Harry Potter books and replacing him with a new character would be stupid.
Second, I like Michael Gambon’s portrayal more than Harris’. Gambon is much more animated than Harris was, more like the Dumbledore of the books. Harris played Dumbledore like a dottering old man who happened to be the most powerful character in the series.
Gambon SUCKS as Dumbledore.
Dumbledore is supposed to be smart, caring and powerful, and Gambon provides none of those qualities. Harris was better (maybe a little too old) but they should’ve gotten O’toole or Mc’Goohan as a replacement. Anyone instead of Gambon, really.
Of course Dumbledore is a pivotal character in the books, but not as central in the films, and replacing him with a new character is not unheard of in any film adaptation of a novel. Of course, Rowling may have used her extensive influence in keeping the character in the films after Richard Harris’ death. I agree with Failureboy however, since they did keep him in, Peter O’Toole would have been perfect, or even Christopher Lee would have been ideal. Patrick would have been good as well, if not better than Michael, but would have required lifts in his shoes. 🙂
I agree that Gambon hasn’t been a very good Dumbledore, but you couldn’t lose that character. He’s too important. But to the topic of the news piece – I would hate to lose Watson as Hermione. She has been really perfect in the role.
Walter from LA
Gambon portrays a different side to Dumbledore which is present in the literary character. Harris emphasised more of the wise, quite Dumbledore, whereas Gambon takes more of his cheeky, animated side. However, that scene where he says to Harry “Did you put you name in the Goblet of Fire!” was way overdone, and needed some more of Harris’s Dumbledore injected.
And we can’t loose Emma Watson! She’s great!