It's funny how the world of cinema works sometimes. Like, for example, when a chance at a role of a lifetime for an actor arises and suddenly slips away -- only to become a distant memory years later when another iconic role appears like, well, magic.
In the case of esteemed thespian Michael Gambon, if would have ever uttered the words, "Bond ... James Bond," as a replacement for George Lazenby as 007 after "On Her Majesty's Secret Service," it's quite likely his role as Professor Albus Dumbledore opposite Daniel Radcliffe in the "Harry Potter" film series may have never come to pass.
"Years and years ago, a group of 10 of us were asked by producer Cubby Broccoli to come to London to audition for him, because he wanted an actor for the role that no one had ever heard of," Gambon recalled in a recent @ The Movies interview. "After we all had an interview with him, the role was given back to Sean Connery."
It's pretty safe to say that things have worked out quite well for the 68-year-old film and stage veteran, who's back for his fourth turn as Dumbledore in the latest chapter of the fantasy adventure film saga, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince."
Unfortunately, as we come to discover, Dumbledore is not the formidable wizarding force that he once was.
"Dumbledore is losing his powers, he's getting weak -- so he takes Harry along with him on this journey of discovery to get Professor Slughorn (Jim Broadbent) to come to Hogwarts to help solve the mystery of how the boy, Tom Riddle, turns into Voldemort," Gambon said of his character's motivation in the film, which opens nationwide Wednesday. "Harry grows up a lot in this film and becomes adult, and looks after Dumbledore."
For the millions of fans who have read "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" the plot turn heralds the moment they've all been dreading -- where Dumbledore meets his fate. In a separate @ The Movies interview, Radcliffe said and letting go of Dumbledore and Gambon as a friend was an emotional moment equal to losing Sirus Black and Gary Oldman in "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" -- even though their working relationships aren't
completely over.
"With both of those guys, it was very, very hard to say goodbye. I loved working with Gary and was very inspired by him, and it was the same with Michael in a different sort of way," Radcliffe said. "He was somebody who made coming to the set every day such of a joy. The first three months of the sixth film was basically just me and Michael. We filmed all of our scenes together in one big block. We shared a make-up room together and it was suddenly weird when he was no longer around."
Likewise, Gambon said he's been inspired by the spirited approach to acting by Radcliffe and his longtime cast mates, including Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) and Emma Watson (Hermione Granger). Gambon said they serve as a great reminder of the magic, so to speak, of performers in the prime of their youth.
"They keep things really simple -- they don't block themselves with all sorts of complexities," Gambon observed. "They play their parts straight which I think is a good lesson for us veteran actors."
If there's consolation for Gambon leaving the "Harry Potter" series as a principal actor, at least he and director David Yates have seen to it that Dumbledore goes out blaze of glory: whether it be in a circle of fire that he creates to fend off an army of Inferi (zombie-like creatures), or on the other end of the spectrum, in a majestic scene within a watery vortex.
"I screened the film for the first time the other night, and I was overwhelmed by the special effects, particularly where Harry and Dumbledore are up in the hills, surrounded by the cascades of water. Of course we didn't see that when we were filming, and it came to me in the film as a terrific surprise. I think it was brilliant."
While Gambon revels in the success of such breathtaking scenes, don't think for a minute that he didn't enjoy the simplicity of others -- including a flashback scene which shows a younger Dumbledore wearing considerably less attire than what we're used to seeing him in.
You have to remember, this is man who has been draped in a variety of heavy robes for the last four "Harry Potter" films. And don't forget that flowing hair.
"Oh, it's so nice to dress up in a suit and not wear such a long, gray beard," Gambon said, laughing.
