November 9, 2002 at 4:02 PM ET
Inside Harry Potter
Richard Harris' final appearance as Dumbledore in Harry Potter And The Chamber of Secrets will be on movie screens starting next Friday. In the meantime, we've been thinking of his replacement. [NL][NL]Consider these possibilities:[NL][NL]JAMES COBURN, 74[NL][NL]Pros: Looks good in a beard; great voice (he's the TV voice-over king).[NL][NL]Cons: His specialty is smirking cynicism with a dash of sadism. Can he do a kindly mentor?[NL][NL]CLINT EASTWOOD, 72[NL][NL]Pros: Harry Callahan does Harry Potter. Craggy features. A health nut should be around for the next several "Harrys."[NL][NL]Cons: Not a character actor. And he'd probably want to direct, too ...[NL][NL]JAMES EARL JONES, 71[NL][NL]Pros: The voice of CNN (and Darth Vader). And Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wisardry could use some diversity.[NL][NL]Cons: Jones tends to overwhelm anyone else on screen.[NL][NL]IAN HOLM, 71[NL][NL]Pros: A real actor, extremely versatile. Nice mischievous quality (he's Bilbo in Lord Of The Rings).[NL][NL]Cons: None.[NL][NL]IAN McKELLEN, 63[NL][NL]Pros: A fine Shakespearean actor who can play anything. Comfy in beard and pointy hat.[NL][NL]Cons: May be weary of wizardry after Lord Of The Rings.[NL][NL]Thanks to The Star for the news.