These A-List Actors Turned Down Legendary Roles, and Some Regret It

“It’s about character, darling,” Bassett told Newsweek in an interview after the movie was released. Bassett revealed that she didn't want to play a sex worker in a movie because “it’s such a stereotype about black women and sexuality.”

Sir Ian McKellen, Harry Potter

When Rochard Harris died, Sir Ian McKellen was approached about playing Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter. However, he had previously decided that he had played enough wizards throughout his career.  “People say to me, ‘Don’t you wish you’d played Dumbledore?” he said. “I say no! I played Gandolf! The original.”

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Post originally appeared on Inside Mystery.