HBO is reportedly in the final stages of negotiations with acclaimed actor John Lithgow to take on the iconic role of Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore in the much-anticipated Harry Potter reboot series. According to Variety, Lithgow is on the verge of securing his role as Dumbledore, although HBO has yet to officially confirm the casting. This development comes as a surprise, given that Variety previously reported in November that Mark Rylance was the top choice for the role.
A spokesperson from HBO commented on the swirling rumors, stating, "We appreciate that such a high-profile series will draw a lot of rumor and speculation. As we make our way through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we finalize deals."
John Lithgow, renowned for his role as Lord Farquaad in the Shrek franchise, has an impressive resume that includes performances in films like The World According to Garp, Terms of Endearment, and Footloose, as well as television series such as Dexter and The Crown.
John Lithgow. Photo by Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty Images.
Despite numerous reports, the casting details for the series remain largely undisclosed. HBO is also in the process of casting the pivotal roles of Harry, Hermione, and Ron, and it has been reported that Paapa Essiedu has been selected to portray Severus Snape. The series aims to maintain a focus on British talent, a decision that aligns with the involvement of original author J.K. Rowling, who is said to be "fairly involved" in the casting process.
Announced in April 2023, the Harry Potter series is set to be a "faithful adaptation" of the beloved novels, aiming to provide a more "in-depth" exploration of the story than what was possible in the two-hour film format. The project is being spearheaded by Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod, producers of the acclaimed series Succession, with Mylod also having contributed to Game of Thrones.
