When J.K. Rowling went on Britain’s Jonathan Ross show and said she would like to see veteran actor Bob Hoskins cast in at least one of the Harry Potter movies, all we could think was, well, no duh. “I’d love to play a wizard,” he said. And we’d love it too, since we think he’d fit into the world perfectly.
Could director David Yates think so as well? Approached by MTV News at the L.A. premiere of “Order of the Phoenix,” Yates said he was wrapping up a deal for an actor to play Potions master Horace Slughorn. We couldn’t let the fact that he didn’t reveal who it actually was slow us down, so we looked at the major roles up for grabs in “Half-Blood Prince” and offer up our best suggestions. Agree or disagree, let us know your own thoughts in our comments below.
RUFUS SCRIMGEOUR:
Book Says: Minister of Magic. “[He] looked rather like an old lion. There were streaks of grey in his mane of tawny hair and his bushy eyebrows; he had keen yellowish eyes behind a pair of wire-rimmed spectacles and a certain rangy, loping grace even though he walked with a slight limp.”
We Say: Internet speculation seems to have focused on Liam Neeson, who would be a fine choice if he could channel some of that Ra’s al Ghul magic. But he’s a little too demur for our tastes. Scrimgeour has spent a lifetime fighting dark wizards, is arrogant and somewhat bitter. He’s forceful and strong. Maybe it’s as simple as the fact that he’s described as having a “loping grace even though he walked with a slight limp,” but, combine everything, and we can’t think of anyone who’d be a better fit than HUGH LAURIE.
Alternates: We’d love to find a place for Bill Nighy in the series, and this is probably as close to a perfect match as there is left.
MARVOLO GAUNT:
Book Says: Voldemort’s grandfather, heir to Salazar Slytherin. Short and with odd proportions. “Bright brown eyes, short scrubby hair, and wrinkled face.” Looks to Harry like an old, but powerful, monkey.
We Say: For some reason fans are clamoring here for Jeremy Irons, who’s far too regal and intimidating to play Marvolo, a decrepit, hateful wizard who’s more of a bully than a real threat. We need someone compact, someone scary in small spaces, someone who looks, not like the true heir to Slytherin, but like the last, sad vestige of a once proud family. We need BOB HOSKINS.
Alternates: Alfred Molina. John Rhys-Davis.
MEROPE GAUNT:
Book Says: Voldemort’s mother. 18-years-old with a “plain, pale, rather heavy face.” Defeated and beaten down. Cross-eyed.
We Say: There’s no delicate way to say this without coming off as crass…so I won’t. I’ll just say that EILEEN WALSH would be a perfect fit.
Alternates: Amy Winehouse.
MORFIN GAUNT:
Book Says: Voldemort’s uncle. “Several of his teeth were missing. His eyes were small and dark and stared in opposite directions.” Harry can’t tell what color his hair is because it’s so matted down with dirt. Sociopath, only speaks in parseltongue.
We Say: Not exactly a role actors will be beating down the doors at Warner Brothers to play, considering he only speaks in hisses. We don’t know if there’s a more pivotal character narratively, however, since it’s his curse on Tom Riddle which ultimately allows Merope to woo the dandy Muggle. Insane and dark? We’d love to see RHYS IFANS give it a whack.
Alternates: What about Cillian Murphy? We’d peg him to play the young Voldemort if he wasn’t too old, but playing the uncle of He-Who-Should-Not-Be-Named would actually be a pretty striking physical match. And anyone who saw his take on the Scarecrow knows he can do demented. Nick Frost would be a different approach, but one we could potentially get behind as well.
FENIR GREYBACK:
Book Says: Werewolf. Described as a “big, rangy man with matted gray hair and whiskers [and]…long yellowish nails.” Has pointed fangs even while human. Lupin calls him, “perhaps, the most savage werewolf alive today. He regards it as his mission in life to bite and to contaminate as many people as possible; he wants to create enough werewolves to overcome the wizards.”
We Say: A terrifying beast who preys on children. Savage. Uncompromising. DANIEL DAY LEWIS. And if you don’t immediately agree with us, just look at this picture and despair.
Alternates: None. Daniel Day Lewis. Seriously, get him. (But if we must, this is actually the role Jeremy Irons was made for here, not Marvolo.)
HORACE SLUGHORN:
Book Says: Short and “enormously fat” with a walrus like mustache and pale, gooseberry eyes. Bald. Has a taste for luxury, often wearing lavish, old fashioned clothes or velvet smoking jackets. After first meeting him, Harry imagines Slughorn as a giant spider, collecting his prize pupils like flies. Head of Slytherin.
We Say: He’s large and affable, and something of a caricature, but at no point is he comical. Slughorn is as close an intellectual match to Dumbledore as anyone we meet in the series. He’s prideful, resourceful, and commands instant respect. His ultimate breakdown is one of the emotional highpoints of “Half Blood Prince,” so any potential actor would need to be able to play both sides, the gregariousness along with the scared retreat. We like ANTHONY HOPKINS.
Alternates: Should Bob Hoskins be passed over for Marvolo (or just want a bigger role), we think he’d be a good match for Slughorn as well.
NARCISSA MALFOY:
Book Says: Mother of Draco, wife to Lucius. An Aryan dream: blond with blue eyes. Harry says she has “a look that suggested there was a nasty smell under her nose.”
We Say: Too bad Nicole Kidman is Australian, cause she’d be a perfect fit. With her out of the running, however, we like “Nip/Tuck’s” Joely Richardson for the role, who seems to combine the ideal combination of good looks and haughty disdain.
Alternates: If you can’t get Kidman, why not go for her best friend? Naomi Watts would be an interesting choice, especially considering Narcissa’s one big scene in “Half Blood Prince,” is sure to be when she makes an Unbreakable Vow with Snape, pleading for him to help her son. We can see Watts do desperate.
Do you agree with our choices? Have different ideas? ACCIO COMMENTS!
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July 10th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
I like Emily Watson as Narcissa Malfoy. Or Angelina Jolie.
July 10th, 2007 at 2:28 pm
Hugh Laurie definitely needs to be casted as a role for the next HP movie. But with filming House, would he have the time? He needs to!
July 10th, 2007 at 3:52 pm
i am actually pro stephen fry for slughorn.
July 10th, 2007 at 4:00 pm
I think Liam Neeson would be perfect as Scrimgeour. For Narcissa, though, my choice has always been Neeson’s sister-in-law, Joely Richardson.
July 10th, 2007 at 7:30 pm
i really really really want to see Hugh Laurie for scrimgeour!!! that would be the best movie if he was in it!!! Go Hugh Laurie! (isint it cool that he can fake an american accent!!)
July 10th, 2007 at 8:50 pm
Naomi Watts would be absolutely PERFECT for Narcissa! Hands down!
July 10th, 2007 at 10:16 pm
Nope, nope, you’ve got it all wrong. With the use of a little CG and/or effects makeup, of which he has ample experience, Bill Nighy is my top choice for Fenrir Greyback. Haven’t you seen him as a vampire in the UNDERWORLD films? He can be terrifying. See his work as squid-pirate Davy Jones as well.
Narcissa–I love Maryam D’Abo. Her bone structure screams it for me. Joely Richardson would also be cool.
Slughorn–Can’t believe no one’s said Jim Broadbent. He’s perfect.
Scrimgeour–well, Neeson might do, and barring his HOUSE commitments, Hugh Laurie would be fantastic, but I love the idea of Anthony Hopkins in *this* role.
That’s all, folks.
July 10th, 2007 at 10:28 pm
Hugh Laurie for Scrimgeour!!! He’s already got the limping grace down pat!
July 11th, 2007 at 12:45 am
i love harry potter!!! i dont want anyone to die!!! i LOVE YOU HaRrY!!!!
July 11th, 2007 at 1:15 am
Ithink Joely Richardsons sister Natasha would be perfect for Narcissa,its about time this lady did a film that everybody will see!!
July 11th, 2007 at 5:22 am
I was thinking about this the other night, and Joely Richardson was who I came up with for Narcissa as well.
Slughorn I was thinking Bob Hoskins but what I was really thinking is that it’s a shame Richard Griffiths plays Uncle Vernon because he would be perfect; and interstingly I think Bob Hoskins would have been a better Uncle Vernon.
As for Scrimgeour I was thinking of Bill Nighy, but I also can’t get the picture of Michael Cane with the long hair in Children of Men out of my head.
July 11th, 2007 at 9:22 am
Hugh - definitely Hugh.
July 11th, 2007 at 11:14 am
Jim Broadbent would be perfect for Slughorn. Bob Hoskins would seem to fit physically, but remeber that Slughorn is week and shallow in the book. I think Broadbent would be better.
I think Mick Jagger would be perfect as Scrimgeour. It’s not a large part, but I think Mick would fit. If not, maybe Billy Connelly.
Pete Postlethwaite would be good for Marvolo.
Merope has to be played by Kelly McDonald. She’s perfect!
Cate Blanchette would be great as Narcissa.
As for Greyback - of cours Daniel Day Lewis would be amazing - i just couldn’t imagine him saying yes to this kind of role. But how about Robert Carlyle. He was cetainly scary enough in Trainspotting!
July 11th, 2007 at 1:10 pm
HORACE SLUGHORN: Stephen Fry has the intelligence down pat.
July 11th, 2007 at 1:31 pm
How can hogworts master divination and black magic but they don’t know how to use a phone? I think the developing the mental faculties requisite for the study of magic would have come at a later time than mastering basic skills. That’s why Harry Potter makes no sense.
July 11th, 2007 at 1:32 pm
I know he’s probably a little young for the role, but I’m up for Jason Statham as Greyback. You just know he’s going to play a role in book seven, most likely in a fight sequence with Bill and/or Lupin, so might as well get an intimidating guy who would be up to par.
July 11th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
Hugh Laurie, definitely!
July 11th, 2007 at 3:02 pm
When I first read of Scrimgeour, I cast Sam Neill in my brain. Hugh Laurie’s great, but Sam might be in more need of the work…
P.S. I’m bummed that there’s not a good spot for Kate Winslet in the series.
July 11th, 2007 at 7:44 pm
David Suchet for Slughorn. No question.
July 11th, 2007 at 11:10 pm
i cant think of anyone I like for Narcissa but I dont think any of those suggestions with the acception of Nicole is quite right, I would love to see Cate Blanchette or perhaps there is someone we are all missing? (Angelina is an American she cant be in the film and she would be a HEDIOUS NARCISSA!)
July 11th, 2007 at 11:22 pm
what about Tilda Swinton as Narssica? She’s got that very very white thing going for her!
July 12th, 2007 at 11:27 am
Broadbent matches the intellectual manner and personality of Slughorn more than anyone else but isn’t quite the physical match. Either way, I see him more than Hoskins or anyone else for that matter. Brian Blessed, who played Vultan in Flash Gordon, is also a possibility, as he’s big and fat and has a regal manner about him.
To me, Scrimgeour requires someone scarred and a bit frightening looking, which would suggest either Ian McShane or John Noble, who played Denethor in the Lord of the Rings movies.
The Morfin and Marvolo characters are very small parts, so the idea of someone like Hoskins taking a role like that seems far-fetched. I’d think they go with lesser-known actors. Same with Merope.
Fenrir Greyback requires just someone bad-ass - a real scumbag like Jason Statham might work but I fear he’s too contemporary for a fantasy film.
July 13th, 2007 at 2:09 am
Hermione Norris would be perfect for Narcissa Malfoy. She has that snooty, dung-under-her-nose look down pat.
I like Bill Nighy for Fenrir Greyback, as well. I read in an interview that he wanted that role, himself.
July 13th, 2007 at 12:54 pm
I agree with some ideas up here, but I just want to say that we can’t have an actor or actress that has been in a lot of other movies - like angelina jolie etc. If we have someone we’ve never seen before, then we can see the character in her, but if we’ve seen her in a lot of other parts, we’ll be used to those and it wont seem real. THat’s been a lot of the success of the rest of the movies.
July 13th, 2007 at 2:27 pm
Also, people need to understand that they wont use Ameican actors. As I recall JK Rowling was pretty adament about that when they began making the movies.
July 13th, 2007 at 2:59 pm
alegna:
Good call - Fry wasn’t on my short list for Slughorn, but in retrospect, it’s a brilliant idea.
July 13th, 2007 at 3:28 pm
I love all the Harry Potter movies well all the recent ones and I have no idea who should play whom but it depends if they can do the accent.
July 13th, 2007 at 3:29 pm
What about Kristin Scott Thomas for Narcissa Malfoy?
July 13th, 2007 at 3:30 pm
hi made in mongolia my name.s onorjargal
all ok.
July 13th, 2007 at 3:32 pm
I think they need to put JIM DALE in somewhere! He can do anything and it would be a great tribute to the recordings he has been winning grammy’s for.
July 13th, 2007 at 3:33 pm
omg i love harry potter i spend time reading the books and enjoy the movies i would give anything to cast in one of the movies.
July 13th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
I agree with many of the choices. I also agree with using British actors. I feel it lets them focus more on the character. All the actors used so far have been brilliant in their characters.
July 13th, 2007 at 3:38 pm
i love your movies i am your biggest fan of harry ron & herminey i love your movies they are so cool i am obseased with harry potter i have all of your movies i love u harry potter
July 13th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
I love Harry Potter books and movies, I think whoever they cast for the seventh movie will be someone good at acting, i’m good at acting just I don’t have the cool acent that they have, so I wouldn’t be good for the part. Hopefully, they make the movie soon, because from what i’ve heard they’re starting casting soon. Also, i loved watching the sixth movie, very-very good.
July 13th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
Absolutely JIM DALE should be cast in one of the remaining films. The man is already a wizard–the audio cd’s are magnificent. Honor this talented man!
July 13th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
Rebecca de Mornay should play Narcissa Malfoy
July 13th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
um for rons girlfriend ILL PLAY HER! =]
July 13th, 2007 at 3:44 pm
OMG! I absoulutly would love to cast in this film! I love the movies and books so much I dressed my bunny (Marble) as a wizard, I also made him a wand but… he ate it. Harry, Ron, and Hermmione are my favorite characters!!!
July 13th, 2007 at 3:45 pm
I hear that Ron has a girlfriend in the next movie. I think that Rupert would very much appreciate it if Keira Nightly played the part of that girl. She may be older than the charecter, but so are all the other actors who play the students at Hogwarts! And I guarentee you’ll get a ton more viewers if she’s in it!
KEIRA NIGHTLY IS SO FREAKING HOT!!!!!!!
Love,
Jack
July 13th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
I think you have a casting call for kids like us!
July 13th, 2007 at 3:48 pm
What About Lavender Brown ? She has a significant role to play, and they didnt even mention her in the casting ideas.I Mean, its not everyday that Ron Gets A Girlfriend. There Are Some Great Expectations For Lavender Brown.
On The Topic Of The Others, I think Eileen Walsh is a little too old to play Merope. Most People Are Expecting A Worn Down,Lanky Haired,Tiny Teen Mother. She Fits Most of The Description, But I Think They could Get Someone Better.
July 13th, 2007 at 3:48 pm
I agree with many of the choices. i like all of the choices so far so keep it up!
July 13th, 2007 at 3:50 pm
I would totally cop on Lavender Brown!
July 13th, 2007 at 3:52 pm
i think all of the choices are great, but i think that the casting should have americans in the movie, too. i would’ve love to play Loona Lovegood.
Love,
Lauren
July 13th, 2007 at 3:52 pm
Let’s switch it up a bit and make Bill Nighy into Scrimgegeour (sp?). I can see him doing that. And I think Bob Hoskins would be fantastic as Slughorn.
July 13th, 2007 at 3:53 pm
I would love to play lavender brown! Why don’t they have her name up there? Aw I wish they would have a casting call over here.
July 13th, 2007 at 3:54 pm
I would love to see Kiera Knightly on Harry Potter as Lavender because she is an amazing actress from england, and is very pretty. Also she is pretty popular, so mabey more people will urn up to see this one premered?!
Good luck Rupert!
July 13th, 2007 at 3:55 pm
I Think That Casting Teens Would Be A Great Idea. No One Seems To Understand That Being Cast In One Of These Movies, Even As An Extra, Is One Of Our Greatest Dreams.
July 13th, 2007 at 3:55 pm
yo lil’ jj(jimmy) here!!! just wonerin’ why there can only be english people in the harry potter movies?
lil’ jj(jimmy) in the HOUSE!!!!!!!!!
July 13th, 2007 at 3:56 pm
Oh, I wish they would cast Americans… too bad.
Anyway…
These are excelent choices.
I love how people say they are huge fans and then spell names wrong. By the way this is for the 6th Movie not the 7th.