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HBO Reportedly in Final Talks With John Lithgow to Play Dumbledore in Harry Potter Series
HBO is reportedly in final talks with Shrek actor John Lithgow to bring him in to play Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore in the upcoming Harry Potter reboot.
HBO is reportedly in final talks with Shrek actor John Lithgow to bring him in to play Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore in the upcoming Harry Potter reboot.
According to Variety, Lithgow is close to locking in his starring role as Dumbledore in the series, though HBO refused to confirm it. This comes despite Variety saying in November that another actor, Mark Rylance, was at the top of the casting wishlist for Dumbledore.
"We appreciate that such a high-profile series will draw a lot of rumor and speculation," a spokesperson said. "As we make our way through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we finalize deals."
Lithgow played Lord Farquaad in Shrek and has also appeared in The World According to Garp, Terms of Endearment, Footloose, Dexter, The Crown, and much more.
Casting is so far wholly under wraps despite various reports claiming HBO is making progress. HBO is currently searching for its Harry, Hermione, and Ron too, and appears to have found its Severus Snape star in Paapa Essiedu.
The series will resemble the films by again focusing on British talent, perhaps unsurprising given controversial original author J.K. Rowling is "fairly involved" in casting.
Announced in April 2023, the Harry Potter show will be a "faithful adaptation" of the novels that looks to tell a more "in depth" story than can be told in a two hour film. Succession producers Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod will direct and write, the latter of which also worked on Game of Thrones.
Photo by Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty Images.
Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He'll talk about The Witcher all day.
