Reimagining the magic for HBO Max's Harry Potter remake
The worst part about HBO Max coming up with the new Harry Potter series is that they are not casting any of us. We have been waiting for our Hogwarts letter for so long! How dare they?!
But "happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light", right? So why don't we imagine a cast that could illuminate the characters and make us happy?
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. I am one of those people who sees the series from Snape's point of view, so I would want to start with him, followed by some other interesting characters.
Imagine Severus Snape being played by Benedict Cumberbatch. Benedict Cumberbatch from Sherlock, not Doctor Strange. I can totally see him saying "Turn to page 394" or "Obviously". But beyond that, he already has the flair of carrying a wizard coat, speaking with stern expressions and he excels at making an annoyed face. Cumberbatch can easily portray characters with a cold, aloof demeanour, which could serve justice to the reserved and enigmatic Professor Snape.
Morgan Freeman would be an exceptional choice to portray Albus Dumbledore, considering his ability to embody wise and authoritative characters on screen. While he can serenely ask, "Harry, did you put your name in the Goblet of Fire?", he can also give the character the bounce of a bumble bee (an old British word for Dumbledore).
Can you visualise Meryl Streep saying, "Why is it when something happens, it's always you three?". Meryl Streep is probably one of the few people who can match Minerva McGonagall's elegance. Her ability to bring intelligence, strength, and dignity to any character would be a huge advantage while playing McGonagall.
Robbie Coltrane had once suggested Brian Blessed could play Rubeus Hagrid. Since Blessed already has the former Hagrid's blessing and is still actively working, maybe he can give it a try?
Remember Neil Patrick Harris in A Series of Unfortunate Events? Well, it's time for him to star in another children/teen sitcom! Neil can definitely bring both charm and menace to Lucius's role, as well as the expressions required to portray the complex yet hidden pull the Dark Lord has on his Death Eaters. But above all that, who else can pull off Lucius's luscious long hair?
Phoebe Waller-Bridge almost has Petunia Dursley's look down in Fleabag. But it would be interesting to see her witty, sarcastic role replaced with one of annoyance melting with envy while trying to hide affection.
In my opinion, Ron, Harry, and Hermione should be completely new actors. Danielle Radcliffe once implied in an interview that anyone chosen to play their characters would become famous, and we need to take a chance on another trio and put our faith in them. They are out there somewhere, waiting for their Hogwarts Letter.
Also, it won't take half the effort to convince their guardians as it did for Daniel's parents.
Oyessorzo Rahman Chowdhury is a contributor.
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