PopWatch reader Lisa Wood writes:
I was watching An Awfully Big Adventure on IFC, and I realized how much I enjoy Alun Armstrong, who plays Uncle Vernon (how strangely fitting when you keep reading) in the film. It made me wonder "Why hasn’t he been cast in Harry Potter yet?" He would make a great Death Eater. It seems like they pick the best of the best British actors for those films. Then I thought, "Who else has been overlooked by Harry Potter?" And I thought of Alun’s costar in Bleak House, Charles Dance. Anyhow I thought this was a job for PopWatch, and not myself. So maybe when Harry Potter’s new movie comes out it could be a discussion point on your blog. I would like to hear your ideas. Love you guys!
Thanks, Lisa! That’s a terrific idea, since there are lots of British thespians who, inexplicably, have yet to appear in a Potter picture. Some I’d like to see hanging around at Hogwarts include Samantha Morton,Richard E. Grant,Clive Owen,Daniel Craig,Helen Mirren, andEileen Atkins. I’d have included Vera Drake’s Imelda Staunton, too, but she’s made it into the new Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, as Dolores Umbridge (pictured, left, with Potter vets Emma Thompson and Maggie Smith).
Who else would you like to see acting in the Potter saga? (Sorry, Yanks, it’s Brits only.) And what roles should they play? Hurry with your suggestions, since you’ve only got two movies left.
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I think Jim Broadbent would be great as Professor Slughorn
I just thought of something somewhat unorthodox last night while re-reading (re-skipping — Rowling needs an editor) “Half-Blood Prince”: Damian Lewis as Rufus Scrimgeour. I know, I know, a little young, but I think it might work. Especially since I doubt he’ll be young enough for Bill Weasley, though he’s redheaded enough.
There was some discussion on mugglenet.com that Bob Hoskins would make a great Slughorn (after he was on a talk show with JK Rowling), but I’d rather see him as Mundungus Fletcher. I thought they’d cast Judi Dench as Umbridge, but Staunton should be great, too. How about Kristin Scott Thomas as Narcissa Malfoy? She’s rather haughty, no?
We’ve already had one Doctor Who (David Tennant as Barty Crouch Jr.), why not another? How about Christopher Eccleston as maybe Marvolo Gaunt?
Alan Cumming would make a fabulous death eater. He’d make a great Marvolo or Morfin Gaunt.
Tom Hollander as Eldred Worple
Judi Dench as Neville’s Grandma would be good but if that part even makes the film it’s already been cast. Since my dream of Daniel Day Lewis as Sirius has been crushed (though Oldman is growing on me)I’d like to see him as a Death Eater or something. Jude Law might make a fun Muggle Prime Minister.
Sacha Baron Cohen or Ricky Gervais would’ve been inspired casting for Mundungus.
Michael Sheen from “The Queen.” I don’t care who, but he’s a great actor and should be on the Brits-in-waiting list for the next two Harry Potter movies.
Bring on Kate Winslet in any capacity, please!
They missed a trick not casting Peter O’Toole for Dumbledore.
How about Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry?
Bill Nighy, Hugh Laurie, and Kate Winslet. I don’t care how small a role they have, just bring them in!
And I agree with CV, too – Peter O’Toole ought to have played DD…
Sir Richard Attenbourough ought to be in one of the movie. Why not as Scrimgeour? “lion-like features, with silver hair” says Rowling….
You can vote on the Half-Blood Prince cast online at http://imaginecasting.com/imagine/topPicks.php?Movie_ID=1303
Ian McShane as Fenrir Greyback, most definitely. And Cary Elwes as Tom Riddle, Sr. Joseph Fiennes as the young Tom Riddle, Jr.
OMG, of course Hugh Laurie, in any capacity whatsoever!
come to think of it, ANYONE from Bleak House would be fantastic… what superb acting all around in that series!
they could fit Matthew Macfayden in there somewhere, I’m sure of it
I second Bob Hoskins for Slughorn. Either him or Jim Broadbent. If they ever have to recast Cornelius Fudge, Jim Broadbent would be perfect. When I read the books, and even when I’m remembering the movies, I only see Jim Broadbent when I think of Fudge.
Dame Diana Rigg, of course! It’s the least they can do for her since Daniel Radcliffe popped her in the head with a prophylactic in Ricky Gervais’ “Extras”!
If you ask me, Clive Owen should have played Sirius.
Uh, excuse me? How come no one has mentioned Colin Firth? Perhaps (in Book 7, maybe?) as Regulus Black?
Ricky Gervais and Steven Merchant should be given some roles, anywhere. (Gervais as Mundungus would be inspired)….and we might be in need of an Aberforth Dumbledore, no? Peter O’Toole?
If we need a red-headed to play an older Weasley brother, my vote is with Simon Pegg.
Well, hoping that Irish counts as “Brit” enough, my vote would be for Jonathan Rhys-Meyers. They could make him an umbrella/bumbershoot stand for all I care! Just make sure he’s in a well lit corner of a popular set, eh? LOL
I’d love to see Alison Doody (Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade) plays ‘Mrs. Malfoy’ (Jason Isaacs wife). The “Potter” series needs a little beauty and sex, and she’s still very lovely, now in her 40’s.
Hugh Laurie has to be in the next Harry Potter movie and I know who he could play: Rufus Scrigmore (I probably spelled that wrong). He is the new Minister of Magic. He has a waking cane and everything. PERFECT.
I think Michelle Pfeiffer would be fantastic as Narcissa Malfoy.
I don’t care if she’s not British. Who else can do that pale, wispy, fragile thing better than her?
Ditto Jasper on Daniel Day-Lewis as the perfect Sirius. I always pictured Brenda Blethyn as Umbridge. For the next two movies, I’d like to see Colin Firth, Matthew Goode, and Helen Mirren as Neville’s grandmother.
I LOVE this! Tilda Swinton for Narcissa Malfoy. Daniel Day Lewis as Marvolo Riddle.
And I agree with many of the posters below with getting Kate Winslet, Colin Firth and Clive Owen in some capacity.