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Michael Gambon to play Winston Churchill

British actor Michael Gambon in 2013

Michael Gambon, who played wizard professor Dumbledore in the "Harry Potter" films, is to take on the role of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in an upcoming spy thriller.

Written by Warren Adler and biographer James C. Humes, "Target Churchill" is centered on a fictionalized plot based on the wartime leader.

In the film, Soviet leader Joseph Stalin plots to have Churchill assassinated before he can make his famous Iron Curtain speech in 1946.

The 74-year-old actor, who is currently starring in Sky Atlantic's "Fortitude," recently said he is leaving theater for television and movies because of his fading memory.