Take Jack Nicholson’s Joker. People said no one would do better than that. Heath did and now people say no one will do better than him.

Any actor is replaceable, and while it might be harder than some I really believe that no matter how good you are at something, there is always someone out there better than you.

Yes, Gandalf will be tough to replace – but not impossible.

All actors may be replaced, but that doesn’t mean they’re necessarily replaceable. What I mean by that is that, sure, someone else could take the Gandalf part, but almost no one else could play it the same way… which also means it would be difficult to fill that role and have it be anywhere near as good. Imagine someone else playing the Joker in The Dark Knight. Other people could have played it, no one could have done it like Heath Ledger, at least anywhere near as effectively.

Sometimes the actor we get IS the backup plan.

Sometimes an actor gets replaced and its far better. Sometimes its not.

There are no absolutes in film.

skills can be replaced. there is never the same skill; however what fans will miss is the actor’s overall demeanor. His accent, his presence, this stance, his stature, and the overall likeness of the character he portrays.

when i found out that old guy from Harry Potter died i didnt know until the 3rd film. my fiew of the character changed however and the likeness of the film began to change because in a way it shows that it was not planned. If something isnt planned then its last second, or a backup.

which do you prefer, the primary plan?

or…

The back-up plan?

All actors are replaceable. Even this one.