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[jshackles]

‘Harry Potter’ HBO Series Confirms Casting for Dumbledore, Snape, McGonagall, Hagrid and More Hogwarts Staffers

HBO is officially confirming the first cast members for the "Harry Potter" TV series.

variety.com

• John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore
• Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall
• Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape
• Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid
• Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell
• Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch

 

[mitch1971]

Hey Whitehouse this better not disrupt your Gone fishing series.

Nick Frost seems to have lost some timber.

 

[KyoZz]

"Evolution of Snape"

 

[IDKFA]

I still think this is a pointless series.

The books have been adapted. Everyone knows the story. I know there is an argument that this series will be more faithful, but don't kid yourself into thinking they won't add new story arcs and scenes that will differ from the books. Always happens.

What they could have done is created a brand new story in the same world. Make it in a different time period, set it in a different school etc. They had the chance to create something brand new and interesting, but here we are. A third retelling of the same story.

 

[Fbh]

I still think this is a pointless series.

The books have been adapted. Everyone knows the story. I know there is an argument that this series will be more faithful, but don't kid yourself into thinking they won't add new story arcs and scenes that will differ from the books. Always happens.

What they could have done is created a brand new story in the same world. Make it in a different time period, set it in a different school etc. They had the chance to create something brand new and interesting, but here we are. A third retelling of the same story.

Yeah but modern entertainment is all about recycling the same shit over and over and milking nostalgia. WB in particular seems to be all in on it with the rumored remakes/reboots they have for a bunch of their franchises.

I also wouldn't be surprised if the failure of the "Fantastic Beasts" movies scared them away from trying new stuff, even though that was probably more related to the fact the movies were absolute dogshit (the first one was Ok I guess).

 

[SJRB]

Not looking forward to literal years of one portion of the crowd criticizing this casting and another portion instantly dismissing any form of criticism as racism.

 

[Audiophile]

2/3 of internet: "why is snape Black?"

1/6 of internet: "eh? meh..."

1/6 of internet: "Omg, why is [insert starring actor/actress person they like] associating themselves with JK Rowling! Do they not believe Trans people exist?!"

 

[DAHGAMING]

Hagrid vs Snape rawdog episode incoming.

 

[AJUMP23]

Have they said who is playing Harry Potter?

 

[ADiTAR]

Yeah but modern entertainment is all about recycling the same shit over and over and milking nostalgia. WB in particular seems to be all in on it with the rumored remakes/reboots they have for a bunch of their franchises.

I also wouldn't be surprised if the failure of the "Fantastic Beasts" movies scared them away from trying new stuff, even though that was probably more related to the fact the movies were absolute dogshit (the first one was Ok I guess).

yes, in the third one I kept thinking, do these writers know there's an audience watching and need to understand what's going on?

I don't have faith in this series. After the shit show that is Lord of the Rings, I rather stick to old school things that worked.

 

[Hookshot]

Any of them could have been black expect Snape, so he's the one they race change.

Also I bet Mark Williams will love the Fast Show reunions seeing how he was in the films but Whitehouse only gets this tripe.

 

[Lunarorbit]

Wow nick frost really threw us off the scent last week with his denial of being Hagrid

 

[Hookshot]

"Evolution of Snape"

1992 should be a reaction emoji here.

 

[MMaRsu]

More WB dogshit

 

[Fbh]

yes, in the third one I kept thinking, do these writers know there's an audience watching and need to understand what's going on?

I don't have faith in this series. After the shit show that is Lord of the Rings, I rather stick to old school things that worked.

Fantastic Beasts 2 is one of the worst "blockbuster" movies I've ever seen.
It almost doesn't feel like an actual movie with a coherently structured plot, it's like an anthology of random scenes setting up the next movie

 

[LordCBH]

The smoke detector beep in Harry's first potions class gonna hit like fucking crack.

 

[Rockondevil]

I still keep wishing the Snape thing was fake. Everything else so far is fine.

 

[Dacvak]

I kinda love that Nick Frost is Hagar lol

 

[Toons]

Yeah but modern entertainment is all about recycling the same shit over and over and milking nostalgia.

Plenty of original stuff not attached to IP gets made and released. Audiences don't go see them, then go see the nostalgia thing, then post this exact argument online

 

[GymWolf]

Have they said who is playing Harry Potter?

Pedro pascal most probably.

 

[Trunx81]

Pedro pascal most probably.

Tom Holland for sure. From age 11 to 18.

 

[AJUMP23]

Pedro pascal most probably.

He would never turn down a role that is for sure.

 

[Ar¢tos]

I still think this is a pointless series.

The books have been adapted. Everyone knows the story. I know there is an argument that this series will be more faithful, but don't kid yourself into thinking they won't add new story arcs and scenes that will differ from the books. Always happens.

What they could have done is created a brand new story in the same world. Make it in a different time period, set it in a different school etc. They had the chance to create something brand new and interesting, but here we are. A third retelling of the same story.

It's pointless, they obviously want to "revive" the brand and get more cash from it.
It needs to be milked to exhaustion while it is possible.

 

[Cyberpunkd]

I still think this is a pointless series.

The books have been adapted. Everyone knows the story. I know there is an argument that this series will be more faithful, but don't kid yourself into thinking they won't add new story arcs and scenes that will differ from the books. Always happens.

What they could have done is created a brand new story in the same world. Make it in a different time period, set it in a different school etc. They had the chance to create something brand new and interesting, but here we are. A third retelling of the same story.

Question: by making a new series of an existing story are they able to eliminate or pay less royalties to Rowling as opposed to a new story?

 

[analog_future]

Honestly the casting has been fantastic so far.


The films, particularly after the first 2, miss a TON of vital content from the books. Done right, a TV series could easily supersede what the films accomplished.


"Done right" being the keyword of course. We'll see how this goes!

 

[IDKFA]

Question: by making a new series of an existing story are they able to eliminate or pay less royalties to Rowling as opposed to a new story?

No idea?

 

[DKehoe]

Question: by making a new series of an existing story are they able to eliminate or pay less royalties to Rowling as opposed to a new story?

I would guess that would depend on the deal they have with her and if she's signed over that ability to them. But she's always wanted to have a say in what's done with her world so I wouldn't expect that to be the case. I think it's probably just the case that the original story is what people have the biggest connection to and so that's what they're going for.

 

[kpopSuperstar]

Fantastic Beasts 2 is one of the worst "blockbuster" movies I've ever seen.
It almost doesn't feel like an actual movie with a coherently structured plot, it's like an anthology of random scenes setting up the next movie

That movie felt oppressive and wrong to watch, the kind where you squirm and want to leave. A real 1 out of 10 movie.

 

[Critical Hit]

an argument that this series will be more faithful

Doesn't look like it.

Snape rawdog

Snape Dogg.

 

[Melon Husk]

They could so easily do a show that stars characters from all four houses and shifts between them. Four main characters, plus recurring side characters. Young adult, teen whatever drama but in a wizard school. It would be so, so so easy. Build a big set for the school, and recycle the set: Make multiple TV shows, one in the 1890s like Hogwarts Legacy, and another more contemporary one in a different style. Hell, do third one that's a short mini-series. Of the three, produce a movie sequel out of the most popular one. The executives, the producers, are idiots. They are taking so little creative risk that they're bound to fail.

 

[jason10mm]

British and French wizards fighting a clandestine war in WW1 against kaiser wizards would be DOPE. Gotta let that female rep go though, ain't gonna be no women fighting on the front line in 1916.

Then the yank wizards show up last minute, push the last mile, then take credit for the whole thing

 

[Hookshot]

British and French wizards fighting a clandestine war in WW1 against kaiser wizards would be DOPE. Gotta let that female rep go though, ain't gonna be no women fighting on the front line in 1916.

Then the yank wizards show up last minute, push the last mile, then take credit for the whole thing

The last shot of the show is Snape's dad getting back to America and being told to give up his seat on the bus.

 

[Avid Reading Horse]

Wait Nick Frost as Hagrid made sense when he was Nick Frost...

Instead he's pulling this bullshit:

 

[jason10mm]

Hey Whitehouse this better not disrupt your Gone fishing series.

Nick Frost seems to have lost some timber.

Ozempic is a hell of a drug.

 

[scoobidoo112]

The book fans will hate it because of the casting, social media will hate it because of JK Rowling, and unless this turns out to be the greatest show of all time, audiences won't care, especially seeing how relatively recent the books and movies are.

The entire concept of this show, just like Rings Of Power, Wheel Of Time, and modern Dr Who, is just fundamentally flawed.

 

[ADiTAR]

Well, at least we now know one series Pedro Pascal ain't gonna be a part of.

 

[FeralEcho]

I don't see these characters in any of these people. This shit is dead on arrival! It seems to want to please everyone while pleasing no one. What a mistake of a company WB is. They are clueless.

 

[Lolofonek]

lmao xD watching people react to this project is probably better entertainment than the show will be

 

[Hookshot]

Well, at least we now know one series Pedro Pascal ain't gonna be a part of.

They've been cast as Molly Weasley.

 

[Miyazaki’s Slave]

"Evolution of Snape"

I forgot they de-aged Sigourney Weaver for the 1969 snape....made sense then...makes sense now.

 

[Liopleurodon]

I think this Snape will netorare Harry's mom.

 

[LordCBH]

Well, at least we now know one series Pedro Pascal ain't gonna be a part of.

Pedro is simultaneously decently talented and a massive whiny bitch lmao.

 

[MrTroubleMaker]

I think this Snape will netorare Harry's mom.

it will be really funny if Harry has darker skin

 

[Fbh]

lmao xD watching people react to this project is probably better entertainment than the show will be

I think it's too early to assume Harry (and by extension both of his parents) will be white.
The only ones that are probably safe are Ron and Draco. Ron because with how much they focus on him and all of his family being gingers not even Rowling will be able to pretend she didn't envision them as white, Draco because he is "evil".

 

[DeepEnigma]

"Evolution of Snape"

 

[Lolofonek]

I think it's too early to assume Harry (and by extension both of his parents) will be white.
The only ones that are probably safe are Ron and Draco. Ron because with how much they focus on him and all of his family being gingers not even Rowling will be able to pretend she didn't envision them as white, Draco because he is "evil".

Do you really think they would cast minority actor as Harry? I mean can you imagine black Harry sleeping in cupboard under the stairs and serving rich white british family? Thats something i would expect from Scary Movie parody series.

 

[DeafTourette]

Do you really think they would cast minority actor as Harry? I mean can you imagine black Harry sleeping in cupboard under the stairs and serving rich white british family? Thats something i would expect from Scary Movie parody series.

Well the Dursley's were his blood relatives so they wouldn't be white if they make Harry black or mixed

 

[Doom85]

Draco because he is "evil".

If you're trying to claim race changes for characters are never done for evil characters, this is blatantly false, even within just the MCU:

Kang in Ant-man 3 intended to rule all universes and would wipe out as many lives as needed (which would be practically incalculable) to do so, only promising to spare Janet's universe if she helped him. The High Evolutionary abused, tortured, and killed the beings he created, even triggering mass genocides on planets populated by his beings just to push to find a "perfect" species.

When only Thanos and maybe a few others like Ego outrank or at least place alongside these two's scales of cruelty, I'd say they meet the qualifications of "evil".

And before anyone brings it up, yes, despite their usual alien-like appearance in the comics, both were white men in the comics: Kang is actually a descendant of Nathaniel Richards, Reed Richards' father, and IIRC Dr. Doom's lineage is supposedly connected as well though Kang's history is so complicated it's hard to keep track of it. The High Evolutionary was a British man named Herbert Wyndham who became interested in the work of one Nathaniel Essex, AKA X-men villain Mister Sinister, and things escalated from there.

 

[Darkmakaimura]

I'm not even into Harry Potter that much but I don't see anybody replacing the original movie cast.

 

[jason10mm]

Well the Dursley's were his blood relatives so they wouldn't be white if they make Harry black or mixed

They could just go for color blind casting, obfuscating any attempt to make characters look related in favor of a highly diverse cast. This is incredibly immersion breaking (for me) but we do see it quite a bit. That would be a DISASTER for this show, but they may try it.

But maybe they will be "Stunning and brave" and have Harry's mom (and thus her sister) be SE asian and Harry's dad is arabic, then Dursley can just be the evil white guy (and his son by extension) so they can have their POC counter-casting but keep the bad guys more in line with the narrative. This would side-step some of the problematic aspects for snape being black and still keep a bit of the door open should they try to hint that Snape might possibly be harrys bio dad (something I'd think JK would be 100% against but who really knows). I find it highly unlikely we will see the Malfoys be anything but "traditional English" for example, despite ample book evidence that in fact virtually ALL of the characters should follow suit.

There are definitely well established SE asian actresses they could cast for these roles which would blunt some criticism. Had the snape actor been really famous for "snape-like roles" I think that would have done the same as well.

I feel that this show is doomed from the get go given the evergreen nature of the films. They were all made when CG was good enough to support the story and not look terribly dated, but early enough that the whole isn't a CG mess like we get today which will also age poorly. Much like LOTR, the films are timeless in ways a lot of 90's films with terrible CG are not and more recent films with overloaded CG teams turning in blurry shoddy crap aren't either.

Too bad Rowling never really continued with a popular series. A Harry Potter:The Next Generation series seems like it would have been a massive success rather than the oddball things she has done. Maybe she has preserved the series by not killing it with really inferior sequels or her creative well has just run dry.