Cinematical Seven: Brits left to cast in Harry Potter
Filed under: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Casting, Harry Potter, Five Days of Fire
The Harry Potter movies are slowly but surely depleting a vital resource from the film industry: venerable British actors and actresses. Look at the number of renowed actors from the UK portraying characters in the series: Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman, Kenneth Branagh, Emma Thompson, Miranda Richardson, John Hurt, John Cleese, Julie Walters, Michael Gambon, Ralph Fiennes, Gary Oldman, Dawn French, Julie Christie ... the list is impressive and seemingly unending. Imelda Staunton has just been cast as Dolores Umbridge in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Stephen Fry hasn't appeared in the movies yet, but he's been voicing the narrator in the video games.
I am worried that before the series is finished, the Harry Potter casting directors will have to recruit amateurs or, perish the thought, Americans. Can you imagine Renee Zellweger or Uma Thurman trying to mimic a British accent? Perish the thought.
After the jump, I've listed the top seven remaining well-known British charactor actors that I suspect may be sucked into future Harry Potter films, along with the possible roles they might play.
- Judi Dench—She's been pressed into service with the Bond franchise but there's certainly room for her at Hogwarts. Perhaps she could pop in briefly as Neville's grandmother.
- Hugh Grant—I realize his face may be too instantly recognizeable. However, that's what the makeup department is for. Can't you see him in The Half-Blood Prince as one of the nasty Gaunts, or is he simply too charming?
- Helena Bonham-Carter—She was such a believable oppressed-looking housewife in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory that it is easy to see her as Merope Gaunt, cringing in a corner of the kitchen, in The Half-Blood Prince. Yes, she's a bit old for the part, but I think it could work anyway.
- Colin Firth—I have no idea what he'd play in the Harry Potter series. But, you know, everything is better with Colin Firth in it. I don't want the makeup men messing with his good looks, either, if you understand me.
- Simon Callow—He's been in so many movies, but I always remember him as the Reverend Mr. Beebe in A Room with a View. I think he would be ideal as Professor Slughorn in The Half-Blood Prince, reaching for his box of crystallized pineapple.
- Joanna Lumley—The AbFab actress has been loaning her talents to several family films lately, including The Corpse Bride and Ella Enchanted. She would certainly liven up the Harry Potter films even in a minor role.
- Christopher Lee -- The man has been in damn near every major movie franchise in the past 50 years, from Hammer's Frankenstein films to the second Star Wars trilogy. It would be just plain wrong to exclude him from this one. Rumors were flying that he had been considered as the Dumbledore replacement when Richard Harris died, but I think he would have been a bit creepy. (But I thought that about Michael Gambon too.) Twenty years ago, he could have played the leader of the werewolves, but that's too active for him now. He would, however, make a fine Rufus Scrimgeour, the Ministry for Magic in The Half-Blood Prince.
Reader Comments
(Page 1)2. I have not followed the Harry Potter series at all, but I would go if Colin Firth were in it. And I definitely agree the make-up department would have to leave that man's face alone. Maybe he could just be in it to say he was in it. I would pay to that man read a phone book if it came to it. So, perhaps some nice shots of him just being there, flashing that smile and showing off those dimples. Oh, he could have the beard like he grew for The Last legion. That is to die for!!!!
Posted at 11:54PM on Nov 20th 2005 by Diane
3. I like the list, but if your going to put Hugh Grant and Colin Firth on the list, you can't pass up Robert Carlyle. He's perfect for those creepy roles that will fit in to the story later on. What about a couple Irish actors in the movies later on. Sam Neill and Pierce Brosnan are the frist two that come to mind.
Posted at 7:49AM on Nov 21st 2005 by Hattori Hansolo
4. Good list but one name is missing - Daniel Day Lewis as Fenrir Greyback - no question about it.
Posted at 10:25AM on Nov 21st 2005 by Joe Day
5. When I first saw the name Simon Callow I thought you were referring to the American Idol megastar Simon Cowell.
Hey, maybe Mr. Cowell could be featured in one as a teacher (dressed in a simple black t-shirt and jeans, of course) who grades spells:
- Oh, it was the worst spell I have seen in my life.
- That spell was simply dreadful.
- You have no future in casting spells. Goodbye.
6.
Hey, we already have the new (10th) Doctor from *Doctor Who* in the Harry Potter mythos - David Tennant - so how about finding some roles for some of the other notable British actors who have portrayed the good Doctor...such as:
Tom Baker (what a magnificent voice)
Paul McGann
and the recently departed (from the role)
Christopher Eccleston
Just a thought...
Posted at 12:58PM on Nov 21st 2005 by The Jeremy
7. I'm not sure about the appropriate character for her, but Jennifer Ehle has been overlooked so far and she's such a fabulous actor. Really, though, there aren't too many interesting female roles from this point on in the HP series. So, maybe it's just as well!
Posted at 1:55PM on Nov 21st 2005 by Terry G.
8. Imelda Staunton as Dolores Umbridge.
Interesting.
Our family was pulling for Terry Jones in the part.
Posted at 2:18PM on Nov 21st 2005 by N L Elliot
9. If I had my drothers...
Eamonn Walker - Kingsley Shacklebolt
Bob Hoskins - Horace Slughorn
Anthony Hopkins or Ben Kingsley - Marvolo Gaunt
Catherine Zeta-Jones - Bellatrix Lestrange
Keira Knightley - Nymphadora Tonks
Ian McShane - Fenrir Greyback
Brian Cox - Rufus Scrimgeour
They probably won't use ALL those high-profile actors, but one can only hope...
Posted at 4:35PM on Nov 21st 2005 by eb
10. I think it would have been funny if the woman who played Rose in "Keeping Up Appearances" was Neville's grandmother (complete with fishnet hose and leather miniskirt!) But they already established how Neville's grandmother dresses in PoA. "Rose" would be plenty scary, though! LOL!!!
NO to Catherine Zeta Jones and NO to Keira Knightly! Gods forbid!
Posted at 8:30PM on Nov 21st 2005 by Desperada
11.
If Prof. Flitwick can transform from a gray haired older man to a younger man with black hair and Tom the barkeeper at the Leaky Cauldron can suddenly become a bald hunchback, then I would like to see Firenze change from a hideously bad CG animated character into a blend of Jude Law and a horse.
Kingsley Shaklebolt: Colin Salmon
Belatrix LeStrange: Anna Chancellor
Narcissa Malfoy: Megan Dodds (Well, she's not British but she lives there)
Posted at 1:04AM on Nov 22nd 2005 by Missfit
12. I think Bob Hoskins would be ideal for Slughorn
Posted at 1:21AM on Nov 22nd 2005 by ianwzxr
13. I'm not a great Harry Potter fan, but if Colin Firth would be cast, I'd buy the DVD even without knowing what's it all about! :) In view of the genre, however, I can't believe nobody mentioned Rufus Sewell. Those incredibly big fascinating eyes of his would fit marvelously in a mysterious role. And what about Matthew Macfadyen, former Spooks agent and now the new dashing Mr. Darcy?
14. Euh, first of all I'm French and I don't speak English !! But I'm agree with this gorgeous sentence : "everything is better with Colin Firth in it" !!! Anything else ?? No, just him !!
Posted at 7:04AM on Nov 22nd 2005 by Enna
15.
Yes, Colin Firth, but I disagree that he only needs to stand around. He has to talk, too. Not that I care what he says. He is always sending me coded messages anyway. Colin, we have to be careful, my boyfriend is getting suspicious. ;)
Why has nobody mentioned Jonathan Pryce? He would fit right in. And Lindsay Duncan.
Posted at 8:40AM on Nov 22nd 2005 by Beatrice
16. My favourite actor in it would be Bill Nighy !
Colin Firth, why not !
Kris Marshall , yes, yes, !
and Rodrigo Santoro...
Posted at 8:57AM on Nov 22nd 2005 by grillon
17. When I saw "Goblet of Fire" over the weekend, I was thinking, you know....every English actor BUT Colin Firth has been in these movies. (Especially with Fienes as Valdmort). I think he would be great because "anything with Colin Firth in it, is better." As for another Brit....what about James Purfroy (probably mispelled name?)
Great movie by the way -- highly recommend it whether you are a Potter fan or not.
Posted at 11:25AM on Nov 22nd 2005 by Kat
18. Speaking of Terry Jones in drag for Umbridge, how about Ciaran Hinds in drag for that role? I've been watching him in Rome, and he looks like a big ol' frog in a toga.
Posted at 3:57AM on Nov 24th 2005 by REM
19. Rachel Hurd-Wood just has to play Luna !
Posted at 9:19AM on Nov 24th 2005 by erica
20. It's weird that some have mentioned Terry Jones for Umbridge, because whenever I read OotP, I always hear John Cleese's "Miss Anne Elk" voice (the annoying "ehh-hemm" he does throughout the whole bit). Unfortunately, Terry Jones in drag would not be able to handle properly the ultra-sinister nature Umbridge has towards the end of the book - though the first half would be GOLDEN.
Posted at 9:22AM on Nov 24th 2005 by Eggman
1. Perhaps Liam Neeson, Eileen Atkins and Jim Broadbent could fit in there somewhere. I think Joely Richardson would be a superb Narcissa Malfoy. As for your suggestions, here is how I would match them to characters in the HP series:
Judi Dench ~ Mrs. Arabella Figg
Hugh Grant ~ Prime Minister
Helena Bonham Carter ~ Bellatrix Lestrange
Colin Firth ~ nobody springs to mind
Simon Callow ~ Horace Slughorn
Joanna Lumley ~ Mrs Black (Sirius' Mother)
Christopher Lee ~ Marvolo Gaunt
Posted at 9:49PM on Nov 20th 2005 by burgundy