Wednesday, April 26, 2023

HBO Harry Potter Fancasting!


This is a fancast, or dreamcasting, if you will, that would shake up the Harry Potter cast, and keep the TV series reboot in great hands.

I hear the cast will be all British, and so my pitiful American taste will definitely not take in the full breadth of actors at the casting director’s disposal. But anyway, these choices would make me excited to see the new HBO TV series that is rebooting the entire Harry Potter series, from book one to seven.



Vernon Dursley- Jared Harris

He’s funny, and plays a great villain, both of which they’ll need for this abusive uncle.



Petunia Dursley- Caroline O’Neal

I know her from Endeavour, a PBS Masterpiece detective show. She’s brilliant, and can have a real vicious streak in her that would be perfect for petunia.



Hagrid- Andy Serkis

Mr. Serkis can play anyone, and I would love to see him provide a lot of warmth and care and Hagrid, while also pivoting into a loose cannon whenever his pet hippogriff or blast-ended skrewt isn’t treated right. Put that man in a big coat, and stilts, and bam, he’s a giant, lovable, and at times lethal groundskeeper.



Ollivander- Jeremy Irons

I hate to confine Jeremy Irons to a small role, I mean, wouldn’t he be a great dumbledore? But I figured Ollivander would be a nice, mysterious and odd person to make that one scene in Sorcerer’s stone really shine. I mean, again, I wouldn’t say no to Irons as Dumbledore, but I just don’t want to get my hopes up. That would be so perfect, but I was thinking of someone else.



Severus Snape- Paul Bettany

So, I would love to have Paul Bettany as any frequent flyer in the Harry Potter world. Snape would give him the opportunity to be greasy and vicious, and I would be there for it. Take his range from Knight’s Tale to the MCU, Bettany would put a new spin on Snape we could all enjoy.



Lucius Malfoy- Daniel Craig

This one came to me first, and it would be amazing, guys. Daniel Craig would knock it out of the park! He’s so likable, and yet, as Lucius, I know he would make us all despise him. Just imagine his rage being fooled by HP at the end of Chamber of Secrets. Guys, Daniel Craig has got this!



Professor Quirrell- Cilian Murphy

Some fancasts have put him as Voldemort. I can see it, but also I can’t. Perhaps just because his scarecrow in the Batman trilogy felt a little too buttoned up, and didn’t command the presence I want from HE-WHO-MUST-NOT-BE-NAMED. I wanted more psychosis from him, and in the end he just felt like a nervous wanna-be gangster. Anyway, I feel his professor Quirrell would have a nice wacky quality, with the refinement of an actor very comfortable with his craft. If he gets chosen for Voldemort though, may he prove me wrong!





Minerva Mcgonigal- Eva Green

Okay, okay, this is a weird one. She’s young, yes, but there’s this thing called makeup and prosthetics. I loved Eva Green in Miss Peregrin’s home for peculiar children. She was great! In this, she would keep things mysterious, while having a severe, unpredictable quality that would be great for McGonigal. And let’s be honest, they have to swerve right, because you can’t have someone too similar to Maggie Smith. Only Maggie Smith can be Maggie Smith. Eva Green could make McGonigal her own is all I’m saying.



Voldemort- Matthew Goode

Okay. You’re not going to agree with me on this, but let me explain. 

The first thing I saw Matthew Goode in was Imitation Game. He had this ability to put up this ‘it’s my way or the highway’ wall with every look. I see him as very capable of filling up the room with a will to dominate and entitlement that suits Lord Voldemort. For some reason, when I look at him I believe that he is capable of any evil act. Maybe it’s his ability to project contempt and disgust like it’s in the air he breathes. I don’t trust him… except to play the dark lord like he was born to.



Albus Dumbledore- Ian McKellan

Listen, I decided to make this obvious choice here because, well, it would be perfect. He turned this role down once in the past, and this time, why not just say yes? Honestly, HBO should just knock on his door and say, “Listen, Ian, it has to be you for Dumbledore. Name your price, we’ll do anything.” I know he has some tricks up his sleeve to make this character a completely distinct and separate one from Gandalf, and yet, who else could be such a quirky and captivating mentor?


And the kids? Meh. I'll let somebody else fancast them. ;) Harry, Ron, Hermione, Draco, Neville, Ginny, the Weasley twins, and Percy, and the many, many other kids will probably be played some breakout new actors ready to launch a crazy successful career. Should be fun to watch!

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