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Quint chats with Harry Potter's Sir Michael Gambon about Dumbledore, Half-Blood Prince and Deathly Hallows!!!
SPOILER ALERT !!
Ahoy, squirts! Quint here. I didn’t get to go to the big New York press day for Potter, but I was lucky enough to score a very, very brief chat with Dumbledore himself, Sir Michael Gambon, via telephone.
Being a fan of the books I was extremely excited to have the opportunity to speak with Gambon for this particular movie. If you haven’t read HALF-BLOOD PRINCE or haven’t seen the film, I wouldn’t recommend reading the below chat, but if you have you know why interviewing Dumbledore for this movie had me eager to chat with Gambon about filling the robes.
So, yeah. It’s a short phoner, all of 6 minutes long, but we cover a few things including his involvement in THE DEATHLY HALLOWS.
One more warning: SPOILERS BELOW! SHIELD YOUR VIRGIN EYES!
If your eyes are sluts, then enjoy!
Michael Gambon: Hello, Eric.
Quint: Hello. How do you do, sir?
Michael Gambon: I’m fine. How are you?
Quint: Very well. I’m very hot at the moment. I’m in Texas and I wish I was in New York at the moment.
Michael Gambon: You’re in Texas, are you?
Quint: Yeah.
Michael Gambon: I see. It’s not so hot here.
Quint: I’ll be out in New York next week actually. I’m taking my mother to see Paul McCartney at Citi Field. But I just can’t wait to get out of the 106 degree heat.
Michael Gambon: I don’t know how you can stand that. Lots of air conditioning.
Quint: Very true. Well, thanks so much for taking the time to talk to me. I really appreciate it.
Michael Gambon: No problem.
Quint: I haven’t gotten to see the movie yet, but I’m very familiar with the books. It’s one of my favorite books of the series, actually, and I think a lot of the reason I like the book so much is that it’s really Dumbledore-centric.
Michael Gambon: Yeah, it is. It’s Dumbledore’s final wind-up, isn’t it? He’s not well. He’s losing his stature, he’s getting sick, he’s being infected by all these horcruxes and Harry sort of takes over, becomes his father in a way. He holds him up.
Quint: Definitely. It’s a role-reversal.
Michael Gambon: Yes.
Quint: I also like, in the book at least, we get to see Dumbledore’s process. In previous stories he disappears and what he does is mysterious.
Michael Gambon: That’s right. You see more of a depth to Dumbledore, more of his thought patterns. I like the bit where I get dressed up as the young Dumbledore. I really loved that. I wear a suit and a hat. Apparently I looked reasonably young.
Quint: Were you looking forward to approaching this film more than the others because of…
Michael Gambon: Well, I get more to do in it, so I liked it from that point of view. The first few months we were shooting was just me and Dan (Radcliffe) doing all those interior scenes together; the cave scenes, the lake scenes. So, we were stuck there for months just the two of us at this great, big film studio.
Quint: That must have been a great change of pace for a series that is usually juggling so many characters.
Michael Gambon: That’s right. That’s right, yeah. I finished a year ago, so it’s a long time ago. I’ve forgotten a lot what happens in it, but I liked it very much.
Quint: I would say the biggest emotional kick in the entire series rests on your shoulders in this film.
Michael Gambon: When I die.
Quint: Yeah, but not just that. The lead up to it as well, with Malfoy.
Michael Gambon: That’s right, that’s right. But you haven’t seen that bit yet, right?
Quint: No, I’ve only read it.
Michael Gambon: It’s a good section, that.
Quint: How did you approach that scene in particular… not just the death scene, but the entire lead up?
Michael Gambon: He knows the end is near, doesn’t he? He knows what’s going on, he knows it has to happen. He lives with it. He’s a fatalist. Tom (Felton) can’t do it. He backs out. He can’t cope with it. And then it’s left to (Alan) Rickman, who enjoyed killing Dumbledore.
Quint: (laughs) I can imagine!
Michael Gambon: It’s good, rich stuff.
Quint: That one scene says so much about so many of the characters, it’s the linchpin of the series to me. We see Malfoy’s character and after the events of the 7th book play out and we see Snape’s backstory…
Michael Gambon: Yes. Good. I’ve never read one of the books. I just read the scripts. That’s all we’ve got, really, isn’t it? They’ve been discussing it here, downstairs, how you don’t really need to read the book if you’re in the film because so much of the story is cut, so it’s best just to stick to Steve Kloves’ words. There’s a lot of good subtext in it.
Quint: Have you read the script for the 7th movie?
Michael Gambon: No, I haven’t had it yet because I’m not wanted until next February. They’re shooting my bit after Christmas.
Quint: But you know how you play in the next movie, yeah?
Michael Gambon: I’m a ghost, is that right?
Quint: You’re also a painting, I think.
Michael Gambon: There’s a long scene as a ghost with Harry, where I appear to him.
Quint: It could have been very easy for JK Rowling to cop-out, but it would have taken everything away from your moment in this story if Dumbledore had just popped up fine and dandy in the next film. I’m glad she found a way to bring Dumbledore back into the story without taking anything away from his sacrifice.
Michael Gambon: Yeah, sure, sure. I’m glad as well because I need the money! (laughs)
Quint: What’s next for you?
Michael Gambon: I’m doing another play in London. I always do a play every year. I’m doing a new Alan Bennett play at the National Theater.
Quint: What’s it called?
Michael Gambon: The Habit of Art.
Quint: What’s it about?
Michael Gambon: Oh, it’s a complex thing. It’s only for grown-ups, it’s a filthy, dirty play. (laughs)
Quint: Thank you very much for taking the time to talk to me.
Michael Gambon: It’s a pleasure, it’s a pleasure. Bye-bye.
I was able to stretch it by 1 minute, which isn’t bad when you’re only given 5 minutes. I think we covered a lot of territory in that short amount of time, but I would have loved to delved into his non-Potter work, especially the talk of him being considered for George Lazenby’s replacement as James Bond. But maybe another time.
I finally see the film Monday (although it’s a shitty theater here in Austin… I should know, I used to work there back in the day) and after hearing all my colleagues raving about it I’m really damn excited. Look for my review next week!
-Quint
quint@aintitcool.com
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I finally see the film Monday (although it’s a shitty theater here in Austin… I should know, I used to work there back in the day) and after hearing all my colleagues raving about it I’m really damn excited. Look for my review next week!
-Quint
quint@aintitcool.com
Follow Me On Twitter
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+ Expand All
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I'm actually surprised, Gambon admits that he lies openly to the press and makes things up. But I don't think he has here.
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gambon is a great dumbledore. he is good in everything he dos
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does
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Search Youtube for 'Gambon, Top Gear.' His stories about the media are genius.
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i know you tried your best Quint, but the man gives a terrible interview.
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Holy crap, and to think I stayed spoiler-free up until now...
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But I much preferred Richard Harris. Gambon just seemed too serious and overbearing in every scene.
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Jul 11, 2009 4:57:31 PM CDT
I know both characters are invisioned after the traditional wiza
by commiepinko
...but am I the only one who thinks he looks exactly like Gandalf in these previews?
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Reviews are everywhere, we need some here.
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That was a short interview... can't wait to see Gambon in the HBP and also see what he does in the Deathly Hallows.
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Yes he's dead but the whole plot revolves around him in a way. His backstory is probably the best thing JK Rowling wrote.
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and you don't mention The Singing Detective or The Cook, the Thief, his Wife and her Lover once?!
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Jul 11, 2009 5:33:34 PM CDT
Dumbledore raping = Me leaving the theatre
by christian_bale_trashed_my_lights
I won't have it. It's wrong and it upsets me. Underage girls and wizards are the two boundaries Hollywood should NEVER cross in rape scenes.Disappointed.
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the only man to have a corner named after him on the Top Gear race track!
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"Rickman Kills Gambon minute 136" (or whatever the minute mark will be)
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http://tinyurl.com/noeby8
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thanks, i will do that
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SPOILER(Like it matters anymore): Dammit it better not play that way in the movie. When we figure out what the fuck has been going on with Snape we learn he never wanted to kill Dumbledore! he even tried to back out!
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Jul 11, 2009 6:52:58 PM CDT
gambon was good in PoA, bad in GoF, and
by supercowbell5thecowbellhasspoken
solid in ootp. just fucking awful in gof all he did was fucking yell. thank god he toned it down in number 5.
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He fuckin' dies?!!!!!!!!!! Goddamn spoiler alerts would be nice!
I'm kidding. -
Someone hire a skywriter.
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Having just watched Chamber and Philosopher's Stone, Harris really does look rather frail and a bit too elderly. Gabon is full of piss, vinegar, and subtle bit of pathos. I think he's a better choice. He's also alive.
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Did he not make some kind of unbreakable promise? Also, as I remember it if he hadn't killed Dumbnuts his cover would have been blown and the entire Order of the Phoenix group would have been over and done. No joy there...only a grim task.
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Jul 11, 2009 7:54:47 PM CDT
SPOILERS: Harry Potter names his first son with Ginny as Albus
by axeemall
Dumbledore dies, indeed. Snape kills him off when Malfoy didn't have the heart to do it. And Snape had no choice since he entered into this Unbreakable Vow with Draco's mom that if her son could not kill Dumbledore, he would do it.
The Twist: In the Deathly Hallows, we learn that Dumbledore was dying because of the curse attached to that Horcrux ring (the gold ring of Marvolo Gaunt, originally owned by the original Slytherin, the one with the cracked black jewel he put around his finger in his right hand which caused it to burn horribly that it turns black). It was Snape who actually saved him from dying, but he would die soon nevertheless. We discover that Snape and Dumbledore planned the latter's death ahead of time. Dumbledore didn't want a child to live his life with guilt, which is why Dumbledore told Snape to kill him off before Malfoy does, anyway he was dying of the curse attached to the ring. It was a battle for the soul of Malfoy between Voldemort and Dumbledore, and Dumbledore succeeds by having Snape killing him.
We would also later discover that Snape loves Harry Potter deeply, like a father does a son. You see, he was very much in love with Harry's mom when they were still teens and that love continued to adulthood, even if she married Harry's dad. Snape was the one who warned Dumbledore that Voldemort would kill off the family of Harry Potter. If not for Snape, Harry Potter would not have been rescued after that famous attack. In book 7, we also discover that it was Snape's Patronus that drove away the Dementors that attacked Harry in the third movie (Prisoner of Azkaban). If you recall the movie, Harry thought it was his father who saved him, and there was this vision of a Patronus which looked like a buck-- that Patronus was actually Snape's. -
at the end of the day, back in the trailer, he closed the blinds, fell on the couch with a glass of fine wine and rubbed one or two out to the Luscious visage of Emma Watson? Emma...whose long shapely legs, perfect cone shaped breasts, delicious lightly tufted lips, penchant for VS panties and creamy milk white English flesh all but BEG for a good masturbatory session.uhhh......be back later....
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...instead of coming up with silly reactions full of sexual innuendos just to get the attention of others.
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And Gandalf, too. Gambon's an excellent actor, Harris was great, and of course McKellan was wonderful, but Baker could have taken the characters to a wider range, to an almost alien degree of difference from those around them. He did that remarkably well in Doctor Who.So, cheers to the wonderful performances these three men have given, but Baker is WAY overdue for a good part in one of these big fantasies.If you're listening, del Toro and Jackson, there must be some way to work him into the damned Hobbit.
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Next time just get right to the questions you want to ask. I don't think you'd be considered rude since your subjects know you're racing against the clock.
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AxeEmAll wrote: "If you recall the movie, Harry thought it was his father who saved him, and there was this vision of a Patronus which looked like a buck-- that Patronus was actually Snape's." Pardon me Axe, but I've only watched the movies (never read the books) but, in the end of 'Azkaban', when Harry and Hermione are watching and waiting for what Harry believes to be his dad to appear (as the Buck) to perform the Patronus, no one seemingly shows up and Harry himself then steps in to the perform the spell. Therefore, saving himself. What happened to Snape???
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He doesn't really go into anything of substance, I feel like. He talks about the acting and the effects and the fact that the kids are older and Yates is growing as a director and yadda yadda yadda... but it didn't feel like he really went in depth into the film. I'm still not holding out hope. And definitely not seeing it in the first few weeks of release. Its my own form of protest. I don't want it to have a big opening weekend.
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You put a SPOILER tag up in the title and immediately follow with another spoiler? And one no one asked for (I don't think)? Why do that? Just bc? Bc you really hope you will piss someone off?
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I just realized you were elaborating on the Snape/Dumbledore relationship, but on the surface it looked like you were being a jerk. My apologies.
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It was a stag, not a doe. I think its still confirmed as being Harry's patronus from the future, not Snape's doe patronus. I've never heard that mentioned anywhere that Snape saved Harry and Sirius from the dementors. Pretty sure its still Harry's stag.
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No shit. This is the first movie that's come out since she said that. It'd be interesting to know how/if at all he incorporated that extra bit of knowledge into the character somehow. I'm not saying that he needs to suddenly become Richard Simmons in a robe and of course he can only "act the scene" but still, did it inform his character in the least?
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Harry reminds Snape of Harry's father, so he really doesn't like him that much. But the most touching part of all the books is realizing why Snape takes care to protect Harry. In Deathly Hallows Rowling handles it so subtly it's easy to miss, and I hope they handle it as elegantly in the last movie.
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sorry, but I still want Harry's review (and the others) of Public Enemies. Why? Where? How?
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in deathly hallows after while snape is dying, he gives harry a pensive or something and then you find out dumbledore was cursed by a gaunt ring and was gonna die in a year, and made a unbreakable vow for snape to kill him so he wouldnt die a slow death, and so draco wouldnt be forced to kill him and yadda yadda yadda
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Jul 11, 2009 9:57:35 PM CDT
and im watching chamber of secrets right now
by supercowbell5thecowbellhasspoken
and i think its better than the first, but what the fuck is up with the super happy ending where all the kids gather around and suck hagrids cock? and why did dumbledore cancel all exams and tests?? hogwarts is still a school right?? thank god the kids movie feel ended after that film.
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I don't want to put any words into Gambon's mouth, but he said RICKMAN enjoyed killing Dumbledore... not Snape. That's how I perceived it... that Alan Rickman had fun with the scene.
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Great fucking actor, nobody pull off snide, malicious and seething like Rickman.Now...back to Emma.....
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More interesting than entire series. Really, it's just fantastic! I won't give anything away, but I'd watch another 10 films having just to do with Dumbledore's history.
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Jul 12, 2009 12:46:07 AM CDT
yes i was thinking if j.k. ever came back to the series
by supercowbell5thecowbellhasspoken
she would make 1 or 2 dumbledore prequels. that would be good.
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"Dumbledores"! The First person that does it has a gold mine...and most probably a glory hole as well.
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that explains everything
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ALL THESE FUCKING MOVIES AND THEY DON'T HAVE ENDINGS?
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and reminds you also that you should tie yours
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I think Michael Gambon is old enough to ties his own shoelaces.
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At the end of 3, harry thought he saw his father casting the patronus that saved him, but it turned out it was himself a few hours later after he and hermione used the time turners. Snape's patronus comes in on book 7 when harry is led to the sword of Griffindor by snape's patronus, which is a doe because snape still loved harry's mother. He still kinda despised harry because harry reminded snape of harry's father, but dumbledore convinced snape to be protective of harry by basically saying "this is how you make up for allowing his mother to die".
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And yes that's a reference to The Singing Detective.
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Yes his doe patronus helped Harry in Deathly Hallows. But in Prisoner of Azkaban it was Harry's stag patronus all the way. Aside from the fact that Snape said in 3 "only a powerful wizard could have conjured it", it's not in his nature to not take credit if he had saved Potter. Plus, it's very much explained in the Azkaban book (they kind of skipped it in the film) that, as Mooney, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs, the one's who authored the Marauders' Map, were Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew, Sirius Black, and James Potter in school, and that, as Remus was a werewolf, the other three became animagi to make him feel less alone. Pettigrew became a rat (wormtail), Black a dog (padfoot), and Potter a stag (prongs). Lupin told Harry at the end of Azkaban, that he was not only amazed at the strength of his patronus, but also at the fact that it was a stag, the same stag that his father was able to become. It was NEVER Snape's patronus.
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Albus Severus is the second son. The first one is named James.
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their Platinum is one of the Finest Tequilas in the fucking world.
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Sir Michael Gambon sounds like a genuinely pleasant man to speak with. I'm really looking forward to seeing HP6 this Wednesday.
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I wouldn't care if Snape looks like he enjoys offing Dumbledore. He's got to make it look convincing after all.
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For about ten secconds, mind you.
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re reading half blood prince right now for the movie on wednesday, then i have to read dh again just because its so flippin satisfying how everything finally fucking comes together i almost forgot some of the things you guys are bringing up.
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I like Richard Harris as much as anybody but Gambon made Dumbledore his own. I want to beat the shit out of these teenyboppers bitching about Gambon.
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@ NoQuarter
I've sent in a review on 8th July to Harry, Quint and Fathergeek but they did not post it. They must have made a deal with Warner Brothers. -
instead of being a kind merlin type wizard. he gave him edge and character.
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Azkaban was the only half-decent Potter film.
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Pure and simple. His performance is all over the place.
Too late now to say it should been anyone else.
At least I'll see Gambon get taken out in this one. -
What's the so-subtle-you-may-miss-it moment that tells you why Snape cares for Harry?
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Gambon, although a great actor, has totally missed who and what Dumbledore is. Richard Harris was a lot closer, but even he missed Dumbledores silly side. I mean, wouldn't the funeral scene be great if we could see flashbacks to Dumbledore, in the first movie, sharing his 'few words' with the students?
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Jul 12, 2009 4:55:57 PM CDT
FUCK YOU WHINEY BITCHES THAT DON'T LIKE GAMBON...
by charlesthomasmathews1978
I wasn’t even a fan of the mans work as an actor and wasn’t sure about him becoming Dumbledore. But the second he appeared in Azkaban, he made the role his own and gave the character a strong, forceful presence as opposed to Richard Harris’ bland, generic whispy old man wizard that we had seen a million times until Ian McKellan made Gandalf a badass in Lord of the Rings.
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I preferred Harris in the earlier films but the darker tone of the last 3 suites Gambon more. Worked out I spose, cept for Harris dying and all.
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indecently.
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I believed Harris as Dumbledore, Gambon seems like Harris' Dumbledore's bumbling younger brother.
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No, its from "The Good Shepherd", twice the guy mentions tying fucking shoes, then right before he is SPOILER killed SPOILER, he makes Matt Damon tie his shoe, and NOT ONCE in the whole rest of the fucking movie is this explained. I had to google it, turns out it's some kind of navy term meaning getting initiated by doing something bad to prove you're one of the guys.
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Dumbledore my ass.
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and also layer cake. they need to cast him as james bond's father in the next movie. they can rush off in search of the holy grail...uh wait a minute...nevermind.
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Ever since 'The Singing Detective'.
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I have to be honest and say I found Harris a bit boring as Dumbledore. But then, the films he was in never really gave him much opportunity to kick ass, and I would have loved to have seen him in Half Blood Prince. He had too many boring scenes giving out house points to Griffyndor etc. Meanwhile, Gambon is totally brilliant. I love the fact that he clearly adores the kids, but still gets angry (he is a headmaster, after all), and he was amazing in the fight with Voldemort in Order of Phoenix.
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Why didn't Quint ask him about his polyamorous relationship and his new lovechild with his mistress?
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An appropriate topic to chat about, if you are discussing: "Harry Potter and It's Not the Heat It's the Humidity."
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It was a good interview for the 5 minutes they had
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Really, I can't help but snicker every time I see that trailer where Dumblydore asks Harry about his love life: "I can't help but wonder if..?" What, Dumbles, WHAT? If Harry's doing anything tonight? If he wants to rub two wands together? Well, at least the dirty old fart held off until the kid came of age. Jeez, Rowling is such a media ho. That had to be the reason she made that twat-brained announcement about Dumbledore's orientation AFTER she made her wad. Guess she couldn't stand it that her crazy ride is over and kids have moved on to Twilight. I mean it's great she's a success and so on but that stunt was lame. As for this film, eh, I guess I'll go see it. The Potter movies are far far better than the books (and less time-consuming and cheaper) so it's no big deal on my part. Gotta use up this movie money card I got for Xmas somehow.
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Yeah, i had almost forgot that about The Good Sheppard (terribly underrated movie). Funny that i always though the metaphor was clear about what "tying the shoelaces" ment, for me it meant "always watch your back, don't leave anything unfinished that might catch up with you and be the end of you". which certainly happens on Gambon's character, and almost happens to Damon's. Thanks for remind me of that, friend.
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The way i see it, it's a pity he wasn't cast as Dumblemore from the very first movie. Richard Harris was a great actor, but by the time he was making those Harry Potter movies, he was already terribly frail and it showed. Not his fault, of course, he was already very sick. But Gambon shows an energy and a pathos about Dumblemore that was completly absent form the first two movies. And frankly, i put more of the blame for that not on Harris' shoulders, but on that bland-on-wheels polaroid director Chris Columbus.Gambom is great as Dumblemore, and anybody who has a problem with him can go kiss his ass! Gambon is so awesome, he has a curve named after him in the top Gear track! That's pure distilled awesomeness!
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You could tell that Gambon was bored during the interview, and that he was not taking it much seriously. But that didn't stoped him being nice and a gentleman. It's no secret that Gambon doesn't like being interviewed much, and he always plays tricks and fools interviewers by saying the damnest things, and doing so while looking dead serious as if he means it. It's his famous deadpan sense of humour. so, quint, don't take it bad if i say your interview is not much, it's very hard to get a truly great interview from him, he gets bored very easily. Had you asked him about his theater works, then you might had perked him up.
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I agree. You could tell Gambon was bored by not only doing the interview but by doing it about stuff he probably considers inconsequential kiddie shit he's only doing for money. He hasn't read the source material which means he's not doing the role out of sme great love for the series.
But I do like Gambon in the role and think people critical of him as Dumbledore are being overly picky. Richard Harris was old as dirt so it's probably best that Gambon took over now that the role requires more physicality. -
How could you not read any of the books before playing a part that big. It explains why he was so bad in Goblet of Fire. Anyone who read that book had a "What the Fuck?" moment when he went ape-shit on Harry after his name came out of the Goblet of Fire. Dumbledore has always been cool as a cucumber and was the only person that didn't freak out on Harry in the book. I'm guessing he got a call form JK herself saying" hey Gambon, tone it the fuck down!" I know this isn't Shakepeare but maybe he should read at least the books that are involved with the movie he's in between trips to Top Gear.
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...was made in honor of Harry's Mom, Lily, after her murder: it was her talisman, also. And Harry has his mom's eyes, which is why Snape wants to look into Harry's eyes while he dies: to see Lily once more before he dies. Unrequited lover, a double agent and a mercy killer: Severus Snape is, without a doubt, the most tragic figure in the series. I can't wait to see what Alan brings to the part in DH!
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Are you sure you actually read the books, and didn't just get a verbal plot synopsis from some kind of memory-impaired stammering down syndrome kid?