Patrick McGoohan

[CaptainWaggett]

Originally Posted by m35541 I don't think there is any evidence that The Prisioner "ruined his career". It seems that PM has made his own idiosynchratic choices throughout his career and, more likely, has sporadically turned up in major supporting roles in the odd Hollywood movie over the past 20 years in order to pay the rent. According to the IMDB he turned down James Bond, Gandalf and Dumbeldore - this hardly suggests a man whose career has been "ruined". He's probably be offered a lot of other stuff to that he's turned down - possibly to spend more time with his family. He just seemed to do what he pleased and I'm sure he could have done a lot more if he had wanted - I seem to remember he was quite active in the late 1970's/early 1980's with stuff such as Escape From Alcatraz, Scanners and Kings and Desperate Men (the film involving Mdm Treadeau). Didn't he also appear in Silver Streak? And he did a brief US TV series in the late 1970's. And he was in Braveheart.

Was he actually offered Gandalf and Dumbledore or was he just offered an audition? Given that both parts went to much bigger names than him, it seems a bit surprising. I don't remember ever hearing his name in connection with the parts and I followed the casting of both series pretty closely. Plus, he's 10 years older than McKellen and it's a pretty demanding part.

[batman]

When the Potter films were first announced McGoohan's name was attached to Dumbledore, I remember reading that in some magazines at the time. Not so sure about Gandalf in LOTR, although he was rumoured to have been attached to the Christopher Lee role.

[CaptainWaggett]

Originally Posted by batman When the Potter films were first announced McGoohan's name was attached to Dumbledore, I remember reading that in some magazines at the time. Not so sure about Gandalf in LOTR, although he was rumoured to have been attached to the Christopher Lee role.

Right. The Lee role sounds more plausible. Not sure that there can ever have been anything definite - neither casting reached the newspapers (and Wikipedia doesn't cite any sources). Of course, actors do occasionally say they've turned something down when this might be a bit of a surprise to the director...

[mrs tiswas]

I read an Interview once where McGoohan claimed that John Drake can easily better Bond in fighting, etc, and yes I do understand that Chuck Heston used the F word alot but he was polite to the female co-stars. McGoohan has his own style of rugged handsomeness, and I feel that he was better looking than Sean/Roger.
Is it true that McGoohan is a trained Boxer or something?, if so it may explain a lot of things. But my argument is that GB was a luckier nation to him than USA. It is just a shame that 'The Prisoner' is something he is always remembered by, when he could of been doing other things as well.
I am still trying to get hold of Rafferty, but the 'Prisoner' made him in a way of prisoner of his creation.

[mrs tiswas]

By the way, I prefer watching John Drake to James Bond.

[Moor Larkin]

Originally Posted by batman When the Potter films were first announced McGoohan's name was attached to Dumbledore,

His gravitas would make him an obvious contender. He had done something similar in a way as the Phantom's dad of course; that got him a holiday in Australia though. What was on offer for Potter locations? Standing in front of the blue-screen of death?....

Originally Posted by mrs tiswas I read an Interview once where McGoohan claimed that John Drake can easily better Bond in fighting,

Only one? They are Legion!!......

I was fascinated when that old press chestnut was resurrected for the Bourne publicity. It was deja-vu! Even down to quotes from Matt Damon that Bourne would beat Bond in a fight!

The old 'uns are the best 'uns