Ian McKellen refused

[ChuDonKnowMe]

Patrick Stewart saying LoTR screenplay is ridiculous then taking the part of the poop emoji in the emoji movie is a classy move.

[Thatsciencedude]

People already mistake Gandalf and Dumbledore, imagine how much more confused they'd be if Ian took the role 😂

[fayaazbedford]

Let’s be honest. Nobody else could embody Gandalf like Ian Mickellen

[markcorcoran]

Richard Harris claimed Ian McKellen didn't have the full emotional range to be an actor, yet Sir Ian played Gandalf excellently through a wide array of emotions and certainly conveyed them in both the screenplay and to the audience, ie to me as someone who doesn't read emotions properly at the best of times, his portrayal of Gandalf was very poignant to me.

[alexmason]

Sean Connery not understanding scripts and missing out on countless big roles just for him to trust a script that he didn't get and it being League of extraordinary gentlemen will never seize to make me laugh

[leemastro]

Ian McKellen was absolutely perfect as both Gandalf, and Magneto. Connery and Stewart are both great actors, but they wouldn’t have been as good in either role.
It was also very classy, thoughtful, and just plain nice of him to turn down the role of Dumbledore, for the reason he did.

[shayZero]

Ian McKellen is Gandalf. That white shores speech made me feel better about death and loss and It's such an important moment for my life. God damn, I love him.

[thethemperoroftheholybri]

Christopher Lee was a huge fan of Lord of the Rings and even met Tolkien in person, according to him and many people Tolkien never liked the idea of his story being made into a film but if it ever were for Christopher to play Gandalf.
When Christopher saw Ian McKellen play Gandalf he admitted he played a better Gandalf than he ever could and held no hard feelings

[florancealexander]

This is probably why Michael Gambon yelled at harry as dumbledore when he wasnt supposed to lol

[Lickicker]

Dude i couldnt imagine sean connery or patrick stewart playing gandalf. Ian mckellen may not of been the first pick but he was dedinitely the best pick.

[rickytoddbotelho]

This is one casting job that turned out better than it was expected ❤

[firebladetenn]

Can you imagine Ian McKellen in movie five against Voldemort? Or in movie four manhandling Harry calmly?

[twobirds]

I always thought it was a rlly classy move by Ian not to take the role, if the reasoning was bullshit then whatever😂 but not taking a part because he knew someone who didn’t like him wouldn’t want him to play it is pretty cool

[that_one_guy_named_rami]

Um. Sean Connery didn't hate the script, he didn't understand the script. Even after reading the books, he still didn't understand story. So that's why he said no.

[Deatherage]

The “you shall not pass” meme was iconic

[dylanmccool]

He does play two long bearded wizards though: Gandalf the Grey and Gandalf the White😂😂

[zam]

The way he acted as Gandalf the Grey
Capable but struggling
Vs as the White as more mastery

[Tesseract.]

If McKellen agreed to play Dumbledore imagine the positive reception from the LGBT community due to McKellen being gay like the character.

[intention]

He was an amazing wizard in the lord of the rings

[shoff]

Michael really tarnished the character of Dumbledore from Richard’s perfect performance