Richard Harris (2002). The film "" (2003) was dedicated to him posthumously as he had voiced the character Opaz before his death. Concerning his role as Dumbledore, Harris had stated that he did not intend to take the part at first, since he knew that his health was in decline, but he relented and accepted it because his 11-year-old granddaughter threatened never to speak to him again if he did not take it. In an interview with the "Toronto Star" in 2001, Harris expressed his concern that his association with the "Harry Potter" films would outshine the rest of his career. He
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone 8.3 million in the US. An illustrated version of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" was released on October 6, 2015, with illustrations by Jim Kay. The book carries over 100 illustrations and will be followed by illustrated versions of all seven books from the series by the same artist. In 1999, Rowling sold the film rights of the first four "Harry Potter" books to Warner Bros. for a reported £1 million ($1.65 million in 1999). Rowling demanded that the principal cast be kept strictly British but allowed for the casting of Irish actors such as the late Richard Harris