Priyanka Tiwari
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John Lithgow has formally announced that he has been cast as the legendary character Albus Dumbledore in HBO’s highly anticipated Harry Potter series. Lithgow, who is famous for his work in shows like Dexter and The Crown, expressed both enthusiasm and anxiety about such a prominent role, noting that making the decision was certainly not simple.
In an interview with Screen Rant, Lithgow explained his thoughts about the offer saying, “I was surprised to get it. I just received a phone call while I was at the Sundance Film Festival for another movie, and the decision was not straightforward because, as you can imagine, it’s an offer which is going to encapsulate my last portion of life, I’m afraid.”
He further discussed his casting and provided commentary on its significance, saying, “I know some wonderful people are starting to focus on Harry Potter again, and that’s why it has been such a tough decision. I’ll be approximately 87 years old at the wrap party, but I’ve said yes.”
Dumbledore, as the headmaster of Hogwarts, is one of the most revered characters in the beloved Harry Potter franchise. The beloved franchise has not lost its charm in the pop culture and Dumbledore's character in particular is loved by many. First portrayed by Richard Harris in the initial two Potter movies and then Michael Gambon in all, the character Dumbledore is known for being warm and gravitas. Now, Jude Law portrays the younger version of Dumbledore in the Fantastic Beasts films.
When fans heard that Lithgow might be cast for the role, opinions were mixed and there was controversy around it. Rumors had existed for Quite some time before. However, one thing stands for certain, he has done every complex character throughout his decades long career in film, television, and theater. He won critical acclaim for portraying Winston Churchill in The Crown, and for Arthur Mitchell in Dexter, well, he was downright chilling. His range is exceptional.
The aforementioned new cast hope to captivate a younger audience by taking on the roles of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley - a task that aims to be accomplished with a new series adaptation of the books by J.K. Rowling, which this time around gives the Wizarding World a different take. The upcoming series on HBO is expected to be exciting.
During this transformative phase, Lithgow assures his fans and supporters that he is both thrilled and anxious about it. “It’s going to be an adventure, I know the expectations are high but I hope to do justice to such an incredible character,” he explained. “It’s like a journey to prove myself – true exhilaration.”
Production is set to begin in summer and it is set to be released on HBO in 2026.
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