# Let's cast future Harry Potter films! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 26, 2005, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cast-future-harry-potter-films/332809 "2005-11-26T16:39:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Revenant\_Threshold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2005, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cast-future-harry-potter-films/332809/1 "2005-11-26T16:39:21Z")
For my part, I think **Keira Knightley** would make an excellent Tonks. Not that they’d be able to get her, but still. Someone on here I think suggested it, and the more I think about it the more I agree **Christopher Lee** would be good as Rufus Scrimgeour. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2005, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cast-future-harry-potter-films/332809/2 "2005-11-26T17:34:43Z")
I don’t see Keira as Tonks–someone more comedic and willing to be silly–Tonks like to change her nose shape at the dinner table and goes around with bubble gum pink hair. Keira, IMO, has too much ethereal beauty for that. Can’t think of a youngish British actress who fits the bill, though. Someone small and wiry who exudes energy and intelligence. Oh-that girl who played Alan Rickman’s mistress in Love Actually( I suck at names)–she would be good as Tonks. Michael Caine has got to do something–he would fit right in, I’m just not sure where. I would say Kingsley Shacklebolt, but I would like to see a black actor do that one. Caine might be better in a Death Eater part. I can see Hugh Grant doing something as well–and Liam Neeson. Think I need to bone up on my contemporary British actors and then post. ---
**Author:** ![Wolfian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/7ea924/32.png) [@Wolfian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolfian)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2005, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cast-future-harry-potter-films/332809/3 "2005-11-26T17:52:38Z")
Please. Only one man is bad-ass enough to play Kingsley–Samuel L. Jackson. I don’t care about the English thing; make him an emigrant. That’s good mother f\*ckin’ butterbeer! ---
**Author:** ![Revenant\_Threshold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2005, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cast-future-harry-potter-films/332809/4 "2005-11-26T17:57:14Z")
> [@Wolfian](#): > > Please. Only one man is bad-ass enough to play Kingsley–Samuel L. Jackson. I don’t care about the English thing; make him an emigrant. > That’s good mother f\*ckin’ butterbeer! Hell yes! Only problem is, I don’t think Harry Potter’s going to entice him away from a certain other film… ---
**Author:** ![Hamish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a5b964/32.png) [@Hamish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamish)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2005, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cast-future-harry-potter-films/332809/5 "2005-11-26T18:01:22Z")
Just for the record, people who have signed on for the next movie include Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy) – he was the first to sign on, by the way – Radcliffe, Watson, and Grint (the trio), and Imelda Staunton as Umbridge. And there’s even some confusion over whether the trio have signed contracts yet (though Isaacs is in for sure). That’s all that I can find so far. Some of the actors are grumbling about not coming back – especially the guy playing Hagrid. He talks about quitting every movie, though. [This site](http://www.cinematical.com/2005/11/20/cinematical-seven-brits-to-cast-in-harry-potter/) has a list of 7 good British actors who might still be used in the film. Their suggestions:[ul][li] **Judi Dench** , possibly as Augusta Longbottom.[/li][li] **Hugh Grant** , but they didn’t know what to do with him (jokingly suggesting a member of the Gaunt family) [/li][li] **Helena Bonham-Carter** , perhaps as Merope Gaunt.[/li][li] **Colin Firth** , though the author of article had no suggestions.[/li][li] **Simon Callow** as Slughorn.[/li][li] **Joanna Lumley** – Patsy from **AbFab** , though no suggestions as to whom she should play. Maybe she could be Narcissa…?[/li][li]As mentioned above, **Christopher Lee** as Rufus Scrimgeour.[/ul][/li] That’s a good list. I also think Edina from **AbFab** would be a lot of fun as a witch. ---
**Author:** ![Menocchio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@Menocchio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Menocchio)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2005, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cast-future-harry-potter-films/332809/6 "2005-11-26T18:08:45Z")
> [@Revenant Threshold](#): > > Hell yes! Only problem is, I don’t think Harry Potter’s going to entice him away from a certain other film… I think he’s already finished shooting Snakes on a Plane. While no Potter film will ever be able to live up to that experience, and the glory it will bring him, the man’s got to keep busy. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2005, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cast-future-harry-potter-films/332809/7 "2005-11-26T18:35:06Z")
I think Emilia Fox would make a much better Tonks (though she may be too old, how old is Tonks?)…she would have fun with the role. What with all the funny faces and making her nose look like a pig snout and all. I just can’t see Knightly “lowering” herself to do that. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2005, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cast-future-harry-potter-films/332809/8 "2005-11-26T18:41:48Z")
> [@Hamish](#): > > Just for the record, people who have signed on for the next movie include Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy) – he was the first to sign on, by the way – Radcliffe, Watson, and Grint (the trio), and Imelda Staunton as Umbridge. And there’s even some confusion over whether the trio have signed contracts yet (though Isaacs is in for sure). This is the same Lucius, right? I’m too lazy to get up and check. If so, he is perfect for the part! I do hope that Draco keeps coming back, as does Neville. > [@](#): > > That’s all that I can find so far. Some of the actors are grumbling about not coming back – especially the guy playing Hagrid. I remember him being interviewed for the first film-he said then that he doesn’t like children. Oy. > [@](#): > > Their suggestions:[ul][li] **Judi Dench** , possibly as Augusta Longbottom.[/li][li] **Hugh Grant** , but they didn’t know what to do with him (jokingly suggesting a member of the Gaunt family) [/li][li] **Helena Bonham-Carter** , perhaps as Merope Gaunt.[/li][li] **Colin Firth** , though the author of article had no suggestions.[/li][li] **Simon Callow** as Slughorn.[/li][li] **Joanna Lumley** – Patsy from **AbFab** , though no suggestions as to whom she should play. Maybe she could be Narcissa…?[/li][li]As mentioned above, **Christopher Lee** as Rufus Scrimgeour.[/ul][/li] > That’s a good list. I also think Edina from **AbFab** would be a lot of fun as a witch. I would LOVE to have the Abfab crew involved! Saffy could be Tonks. I see Umbridge as Kathy Bates with psycho issues–does Imelda fit the bill? I am not familiar with her work. Colin Firth could be anyone-Sir Cadogan or a minister of magic or one of the Order. Hugh Grant would be good as a Deatheater, IMO. Joanne Lumley would be very good as Narcissa–and Eddie could play the Squib who helps Harry with the Dementor! Brilliant! ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2005, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cast-future-harry-potter-films/332809/9 "2005-11-26T18:48:02Z")
I was surprised when Robbie Coltrane signed on to be Hagrid. I just couldn’t see him in a “kids movie”. I was thinking Brian Blessed would have made a good Hagrid. I do think Coltrane is doing a great job, though. I hope he keeps with it. ---
**Author:** ![FilmGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@FilmGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FilmGeek)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2005, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cast-future-harry-potter-films/332809/10 "2005-11-26T19:20:26Z")
Wasn’t there a thing about JK Rowling and Robbie Coltrane? She basically wrote the character thinking of him? Or maybe I’m insane. Imelda Staunton is perfect. hem-hem. ---
**Author:** ![Revenant\_Threshold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2005, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cast-future-harry-potter-films/332809/11 "2005-11-26T19:25:28Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > This is the same Lucius, right? I’m too lazy to get up and check. If so, he is perfect for the part! Yep, same guy that’s played him so far. > [@eleanorigby](#): > > I would LOVE to have the Abfab crew involved! Saffy could be Tonks. Hey, quite a lot of the actors/actresses that have been in it so far have had a long history of british TV work - so I wouldn’t be surprised! I think Saffy’s a bit too old to play Tonks now, though…I’m pretty sure Tonks is only supposed to be 22-25ish. ---
**Author:** ![Tracy\_Lord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@Tracy\_Lord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tracy_Lord)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2005, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cast-future-harry-potter-films/332809/12 "2005-11-26T23:27:31Z")
Hugh Grant has to play The Other Minister for that short bit at the beginning of _Half-Blood Prince_. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2005, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cast-future-harry-potter-films/332809/13 "2005-11-27T00:07:01Z")
Samaire Armstrong, of the OC fame, _might_ be able to pull off Tonks. Have they cast Bellatrix Lestrange yet? I’m thinking someone like Catherine Zeta-Jones… ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2005, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cast-future-harry-potter-films/332809/14 "2005-11-27T00:09:01Z")
> [@Tracy Lord](#): > > Hugh Grant has to play The Other Minister for that short bit at the beginning of _Half-Blood Prince_. 😉 By that time, TB won’t be PM anymore, so I’m sure he’ll be glad to play the part. After all, he did The Simpsons, didn’t he? ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2005, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cast-future-harry-potter-films/332809/15 "2005-11-27T00:10:04Z")
> [@Kythereia](#): > > Have they cast Bellatrix Lestrange yet? I’m thinking someone like Catherine Zeta-Jones… CZJ would make an excellent Tonks. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2005, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cast-future-harry-potter-films/332809/16 "2005-11-27T00:16:36Z")
I want Kate Winslet to play Tonks. I could see her doing the goofy, clumsy bit quite easily. Yep, they already cast Bellatrix. I was thinking that Cate Blanchette would make a good Narcissa Malfoy. Are the older Weasely brothers Bill and Charley in the latest film? If not, may I suggest Ewan McGregor? (Yes, you had to know this was coming!) How about Ian McKellen to play Slughorn? Or somebody-I was really hoping he’d takeover as Dumbledore. Maybe Christian Bale could play Tom Riddle Sr. in the flashback scenes. Ditto Samuel L. Jackson as Kingsley. ---
**Author:** ![Arden\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b487fb/32.png) [@Arden\_Ranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arden_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2005, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cast-future-harry-potter-films/332809/17 "2005-11-27T00:29:30Z")
The actors for the elder Weasley brothers have been cast for awhile from what I understand, and I must say Bill is a serious disappointment. I want Jeremy Irons in these movies. I thought he would have made an excellent Voldie but I can see him as Greyback or one of the La Strange brothers (whose names slip my mind). I know he’s a bit older than the I’m placing the husband of Bella but he has been in Azkaban for a damn long time. At any rate, he wouls make for an excellent Death Eater. ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2005, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cast-future-harry-potter-films/332809/18 "2005-11-27T00:33:48Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > CZJ would make an excellent Tonks. Dude, Tonks is in her early twenties at _most_. CZJ, while incredibly beautiful, can’t pull that one off. Who’d they cast as Bellatrix? I don’t see anything on [imdb.com](http://imdb.com)… Jeremy Irons would be brilliant as Greyback–he did Scar so well in _The Lion King_. ---
**Author:** ![Hamish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a5b964/32.png) [@Hamish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamish)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2005, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cast-future-harry-potter-films/332809/19 "2005-11-27T00:44:21Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > By that time, TB won’t be PM anymore, so I’m sure he’ll be glad to play the part. After all, he did The Simpsons, didn’t he? Timeline says it’s John Major, ( **Half-Blood Prince** starts in summer 1996), but the Prime Minister in this story has a completely different story from Major, so clearly the Potterverse is an alternate universe setting, and anyone can play the PM 🙂 > [@FilmGeek](#): > > Wasn’t there a thing about JK Rowling and Robbie Coltrane? She basically wrote the character thinking of him? Or maybe I’m insane. > > Imelda Staunton is perfect. hem-hem. I don’t know if she had him in mind while writing, but I know she specifically requested him. From [iofilm](http://www.iofilm.co.uk/feats/filmmaking/harry_potter.shtml): > [@](#): > > Columbus’s appointment was announced in March last year, but with no cast confirmed the anticipated summer start date was looking less and less likely. Rowling suggested Robbie Coltrane, the burly Scottish star of television’s Cracker, as Hagrid, Heyman considered Coltrane “perfect” and he was the first actor cast in an adult role. “There was no question of me not doing it,” says Coltrane. “My son would have killed me.” I don’t know anything about Staunton. Her résumé on the IMDB looks impressive. ---
**Author:** ![Hamish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a5b964/32.png) [@Hamish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamish)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2005, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cast-future-harry-potter-films/332809/20 "2005-11-27T00:57:07Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Yep, they already cast Bellatrix. If so, you’re the first to know. None of the Harry Potter sites nor the IMDB has a Bellatrix listed. Elizabeth Hurley was rumoured for the role, but Warner Bros crushed that. > [@](#): > > Are the older Weasely brothers Bill and Charley in the latest film? If not, may I suggest Ewan McGregor? (Yes, you had to know this was coming!) I would love to see Ewan MacGregor in the film 🙂 Charlie has been mentioned a couple of times, but never seen – so he hasn’t been cast yet. Bill has been mentioned in the first film, but not seen. > [@](#): > > How about Ian McKellen to play Slughorn? Or somebody-I was really hoping he’d takeover as Dumbledore. I’d like to see Ian McKellen in a role, but Slughorn? You could probably fit four or five Ian McKellen’s into Slughorn’s waistcoat. Think he’s too old to play Scrimgeour…? > [@](#): > > Maybe Christian Bale could play Tom Riddle Sr. in the flashback scenes. > > Ditto Samuel L. Jackson as Kingsley. I was going to say Christian Bale isn’t British, and then I looked it up. Wow. He’s Welsh, and a Shakespearean actor. I never noticed a trace of an accent. However, Jackson was born in Washington, DC. I doubt the policy on only hiring Britons for Brit roles has changed. Any film geeks want to weigh in with Britain’s best black actors? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cast-future-harry-potter-films/332809.md?page=2)