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 2)22. You Muppet Jette, Renee Zellwegger does a great English accent and would probably be really good in Harry Potter. Bridget Jones anyone?
Posted at 9:56AM on Nov 24th 2005 by Greg Hopkins
23. I totally think Tony Blair should cameo in Half Blood Prince!
Posted at 9:59AM on Nov 24th 2005 by Lena
24. i think hugh grant should play the minor role of mariope love choice.
Posted at 9:59AM on Nov 24th 2005 by aaron speer
25. Yeah I've always liked Bob Hoskins too, but having a lot of too well known actors would take a bit of the magic away. Although I really like Bob Hoskins I would probably think "That's Smee in 'Hook'" or "He was really mean in 'Danny the Dog'", when I saw him.
Get my point? =)
Posted at 10:01AM on Nov 24th 2005 by RonW
26. I've been saying since day one that Tim Curry should have been in one of the Harry Potter movies. I thought he would have been excellent as Prof. Karkaroff in the Goblet of Fire. How about Tim as Greyback?
Also, what about Anthony Hopkins as Rufus Scrimgeour?
Posted at 10:06AM on Nov 24th 2005 by Angela
27. Kris Marshall definitely. He's so funny. Give the man more airtime! If he was the only one to have given Merchant of Venice humor it called for, then he would certainly do more good for the Potter franchise.
Posted at 10:22AM on Nov 24th 2005 by JJ
28. I think that Colin Firth might make a good Tom Riddle Sr. I'm thinking ahead to the sixth movie, of course. I definitely think that Anthony Hopkins in the role of Marvolo Gaunt would be a great choice. I could see Rachel Weisz as Merope Gaunt ( with the proper makeup, of course). I didn't really like the choice of David Thewlis as Lupin. I imagined Lupin to be a little younger. I actually thought that Ewan McGregor would have been a better choice.
Posted at 10:29AM on Nov 24th 2005 by bandchickusus
29. I think that Keira Knightly would be PERFECT for Tonks. She can definetly pull off the whole tomboy look.
Posted at 10:38AM on Nov 24th 2005 by Blue
30. Kelly Reilly for Tonks!! She is really sweet! And I also think jim broadbent would make a good slughorn. No to cath zeta jones and keira Nightly...
Posted at 10:45AM on Nov 24th 2005 by Cris
31. I think Anna Chancellor would be good for Bellatrix LeStrange... I mean, look at her as miss Bingley in Pride and Prejudice (the BBC adaptation). She can be very mean.
Posted at 10:45AM on Nov 24th 2005 by Desir?
32. well.. i can live whit many of the suggestions.. but.. if i'm not crazy i think regulus black if it show in book 7 could be played for RUFUS SEWELL.. it luck like a black to me...
and tonk.. i hope will be a good actress.. pliss
Posted at 10:49AM on Nov 24th 2005 by ophelia dakker
33. colin firth could have played the role of Prof. Lockhart. i used to imagine it played by Hugh Grant, but now who could be more of a charmer than mr. darcy! i'd faint if colin firth wink in the movie and show his teeth and dimples.
well for the future hp, not a role comes to mind for him. JK rowling better add a role for him in HP7!!
Posted at 10:49AM on Nov 24th 2005 by snow
35. How about Hugh Laurie? I can't quite think of a role for him to play at the moment but he's british and he's hot. I think his rugged kind of looks might fit some character
And also i agree with the mention of Jonathan Pryce too
Posted at 11:04AM on Nov 24th 2005 by Sariea
36. Bill Nighy?? YES; YES YES. He'd be the perfect Mundungus Fletcher. Don't you think?
About Colin Firht? Mmmm. Anything with Colin Firth in it, is better... I agree. I always thought he would have been a perfect Lupin, but David Thewlis was fantastic.
Posted at 11:08AM on Nov 24th 2005 by fridwulfa
37. i think hugh jackman could play a mean wearwolf leader, i mean he has played two wolf characters for example : wolverine in the x-men and van helsing. kate bekinsale could play a good character in the harry potter series.
Posted at 11:18AM on Nov 24th 2005 by Anthony
39. Sir Ian McKellen should have been Dumbledore
Posted at 11:30AM on Nov 24th 2005 by rozie
40. i think for the next movie only they should take nonbritish actors and actresses!!!!!!!!
Posted at 11:42AM on Nov 24th 2005 by heather
21. I've always been a big fan of Bob Hoskins; I think he'd be great as Horace Slughorn in Half-Blood Prince.
Posted at 9:45AM on Nov 24th 2005 by Marc