The Harry Potter Movie Stars Who Almost Were

Summary

MuggleCast: The Harry Potter Movie Stars Who Almost Were

Date: September 2, 2025

---

Overview

This bonus episode gives listeners a whimsical but insightful deep-dive into a tantalizing “What if?”: the well-known actors who were almost cast as iconic Harry Potter movie characters—but ultimately, were not. The MuggleCast crew reflect on how casting decisions shaped the series, share surprising behind-the-scenes stories, and debate which nearly-cast choices would have worked, which would have confused audiences, and which ones they’re glad never happened.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Dumbledore: The Post-Harris Dilemma (01:16–07:43)

• Peter O’Toole & Ian McKellen
  • Both were top contenders to replace Richard Harris as Dumbledore after his passing.
  • Peter O’Toole reportedly declined because Harris was his best friend and it felt too personal.
  • Ian McKellen refused due to Harris' disparaging remarks (“technically brilliant but passionless”).

    “He didn't feel right stepping into a role where, like, his predecessor would not have approved of him taking it on, basically.” —Host 2 (03:10)

• Discussion of Typecasting
  • The hosts note that McKellen was already indelibly Gandalf in Lord of the Rings, and there was risk of viewer confusion if the same actor played two fantasy wizards at the peak of their popularity.
  • Quote on fantasy typecasting:

    “I also feel like you would have been risking being typecast as an old wizard.” —Host 1 (04:39)

---

2. Snape: The Tim Roth Almost-Was (07:45–12:11)

• Tim Roth turned down Severus Snape for Tim Burton’s Planet of the Apes and fear of typecasting.
  • The hosts debate his suitability, with some wishing they could see an alternate universe with his Snape.
  • Quote:

    “I’ll be on every lunchbox or whatever it is, but that will be it, really. I’ll be known for that.” —Tim Roth (10:16)

• Reflection on Franchise Commitments
  • Discussion of the pressure actors face to commit to long-running franchises, sometimes at the expense of variety or ambition.

---

3. Trelawney: Tilda Swinton’s Philosophical Pass (12:23–15:20)

• Tilda Swinton considered but declined Sybill Trelawney, allegedly for ideological reasons:
  • She criticized the Harry Potter series for “glorifying and romanticizing the boarding school experience” (13:13). As a boarding school alumna herself, she found the depiction dissonant.
• Emma Thompson ultimately delighted fans in the role.
  • Hosts joke about Swinton being “perfect” to play Voldemort in the upcoming TV series due to her otherworldly presence (15:20).

---

4. Rita Skeeter: Rosamund Pike’s Short-Lived Consideration (16:50–19:58)

• Rosamund Pike was almost cast as the nosy journalist but balked at a requested two-film commitment because the character barely appears.
• Miranda Richardson’s take on Rita is lauded as iconic; the hosts agree Pike’s talents were better used elsewhere.
  • Quote:

    “She looked at the script and said, well, she’s not in it that much…so I can understand being Rosamund Pike and not wanting to commit to two films if you’re gonna have, god, what is it, 87 seconds of screen time?” —Host 4 (18:08)

---

5. Gilderoy Lockhart: Hugh Grant’s Near-Miss (21:06–22:35)

• Hugh Grant was reportedly cast as Lockhart and even dyed his hair blond, but schedule conflicts (notably with Two Weeks Notice) forced him to step away.
• Although Grant would have been great, the hosts agree Kenneth Branagh was the superior and now “unimaginable alternative.”
  • Notable moment: Hugh Grant references Harry Potter in Love, Actually, drawing a chuckle from the hosts.

---

6. Tom Riddle: James McAvoy on Hold (22:52–24:43)

• James McAvoy was considered for young Tom Riddle in Chamber of Secrets.
  • Warner Bros. put him on retainer (£40,000) as they deliberated, making a young, broke McAvoy “feel rich to do nothing.”

    “As a young, broke actor… ‘holy shit, I’m rich to do nothing.’” —Host 1, paraphrasing McAvoy (23:44)

• Ultimately, the role went to Christian Coulson.

---

7. Jacob Kowalski: Michael Cera’s Curveball (24:56–29:47)

• Michael Cera was a surprise contender for the role of Jacob in Fantastic Beasts. The hosts, and many listeners, agree this would have been an odd fit:

  • “Why? Like, it doesn’t fit Jacob’s character at all.” —Host 2 (25:37)
  • Discussion on how Cera’s signature awkwardness would not have matched Jacob’s warmth and comedic heart.
  • Ultimately, Dan Fogler’s lesser fame (and different physique) made him feel fresh and right for the role.
  • Cera reportedly turned down the Potter role for a voice part as Robin in The LEGO Batman Movie.
  • Notable quote:

    “Dan Fogler’s portrayal of Jacob gives him honestly, like a little more game, like a little more Riz. Honestly. Michael Cera does not swagger.” —Host 2 (31:51)

• Impression Game:

  • Hosts joke about trying their best “Michael Cera as Jacob Kowalski” impressions, all agreeing his famously flat affect would limit their attempts (30:56–31:30).

---

8. TV Show Casting and Franchise Commitments (19:58–21:06, 32:39–33:24)

• Discussion of how the incoming HBO TV show is handling casting differently, reportedly demanding long-term (8–10 year) contracts from the child actors to avoid past issues, like Emma Watson’s near walk-out.
• Speculation and anticipation about future “almost cast” stories and more actors possibly turning down roles to avoid franchise commitments or controversy, especially given J.K. Rowling’s reputation.

---

9. Honourable Mentions & Final Thoughts (34:04–end)

• Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn from Lord of the Rings) is suggested as a dream alternative for Sirius Black.

  “From Strider to Padfoot…” —Host 4 (34:11)

• Reflection on actors adjacent to the Potterverse—how many British actors circled the franchise, even if just missing the mark.
• Note: Helen McCrory originally considered for Bellatrix but eventually played Narcissa—a slightly different category of “almost cast.”

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On McKellen and Harris’ “actor beef”:

  “Actors beef sometimes.” —Host 2 (02:33)

• Typecasting Woes:

  “I think Dumbledore was modeled pretty heavily after Gandalf as well.” —Host 2 (06:19)

• Rosamund Pike on Skeeter:

  “She's not in it that much...87 seconds of screen time?” —Host 4 (18:08)

• On Michael Cera’s style:

  “Michael Sarah does not swagger. No Riz.” —Host 2 and Host 4 (31:51–32:09)

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Topic | Timestamp | | ----------------------------------------- | ---------------- | | Dumbledore recasting (O’Toole, McKellen) | 01:16–07:43 | | Tim Roth as Snape | 07:45–12:11 | | Tilda Swinton & Trelawney | 12:23–15:20 | | Rosamund Pike as Rita Skeeter | 16:50–19:58 | | Franchise commitments for TV show | 19:58–21:06 | | Hugh Grant as Lockhart | 21:06–22:35 | | James McAvoy as Tom Riddle | 22:52–24:43 | | Michael Cera as Jacob Kowalski | 24:56–29:47 | | Impression game (Michael Cera as Jacob) | 30:56–31:30 | | Final thoughts/Sirius Black dream cast | 34:04–34:14 |

---

Conclusion

The hosts wrap up with good humor, gratefulness for the cast we got, and eager curiosity about what “almost” casting stories may emerge as the TV series assembles its own cast. The episode is a fun blend of Potter nostalgia, industry insights, and playful speculation—perfect for fans who love learning how the franchise might have been wildly different with just a few alternate casting choices.

---

Missed a near-casting? Got TV show predictions? Let the MuggleCast team know what “almost” Harry Potter castings you wish had come true—or are glad didn’t!

Transcript

[Home Depot Announcer]

Right now at the Home Depot, you'll find storage solutions made to fit your needs. Grab an HDX Tuff tote to protect your tools or keep your sports equipment contained with reinforced snap fit lids. Or stack up and make better use of your space with bins and totes built to last. Whatever your story, we've got the gear to keep it organized and protected at the Home Depot. How doers get more Done Packages by.

[MuggleCast Host 1]

Expedia you were made to occasionally take the hard route to the top of the Eiffel Tower. We were made to easily bundle your trip Expedia made to travel flight inclusive packages are atoll protected Hi Muggles. We're off this week but wanted to share this recent installment of Bonus Mugglecast so you can get a taste of what we have to offer on our Patreon. In addition to two bonus episodes each month, you'll also get ad free episodes of mugglecast, a new gift every year, a monthly zoom hangout with the Mugglecasters, and so much more. Check it all [e-mail] mugglecast your support helps us run this show as smoothly as the Hogwarts Express rolls across the Scottish Highlands.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

All right, welcome to Bonus mugglecast. You know, we've talked so much recently about casting announcements for the TV show, and I saw a piece of news about an actor who apparently had been approached for a role in the Wizarding World franchise and ultimately turned it down. And it got me thinking, maybe we should look back at some of the actors who might have been could have been playing the iconic characters that we know and love and recognize from the franchise today. So there are two really interesting cases at the top that I think are pretty well known, but there were some details about the two of them that were new to me. So one of them was Peter O', Toole, the other was Ian McKellen. Both iconic actors who could have carried the role of Dumbledore. Both of them were pursued after Richard Harris passed away. So before there was Michael Gambon, before there was Harry, did you put your name in the Goblet of Fire? There was maybe going to be Peter O' Toole or Ian McKellen. So what's so interesting about Peter O'? Toole? I didn't know this, but apparently Richard Harris was his best friend and he just ultimately couldn't take the role because of that. But the thing that I find really funny is the Ian McKellen story, because I guess Richard Harris didn't think a lot of Ian McKellen I don't know if anyone was ever aware of this. I guess actors beef sometimes Vaguely remember.

[MuggleCast Host 3]

This, that just the two of them didn't get along very well.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Yeah. So Ian McKellen was asked to take the role of Dumbledore after Richard Harris passed, but he did turn it down pretty quickly. And he was later on an episode of BBC's Hard Talk in which he was asked about this. And McKellen specifically called out that Richard Harris had named McKellen in a list of actors that he called technically brilliant but passionless. And he said ultimately he turned down the role because he didn't. He didn't feel right stepping into a role where, like, his predecessor would not have approved of him taking it on, basically.

[MuggleCast Host 1]

Generous.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Yeah, I know, right. Because, like, my thing is I'd be like, I'm sorry, you're dead.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

Yeah.

[MuggleCast Host 1]

And you would have one. Ian McKellen would have been like, oh, yeah, bitch. Well, let me try this role and I'll show you how it's done.

[MuggleCast Host 5]

Where did, timing wise, where did Richard Harris Harris's death fall compared to the Lord of the Rings movies?

[MuggleCast Host 4]

I think they'd all been filmed but not yet released.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Yeah.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

I think it was between Two Towers and Return of the King.

[MuggleCast Host 3]

I think the first Lord of the Rings came out in, what, 2001?

[MuggleCast Host 4]

One. Same year as Harry Potter one.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Yeah.

[MuggleCast Host 1]

Ian, I also feel like you would have been risking being typecast as an old wizard.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

That's absolutely it. Especially because we were first getting into all the fantasy movies were taking off, and it was like, which actor will be in what fantasy series? And there was really only space for them to do one. The next thing I saw Ian McKellen doing after Lord of the Rings was like Da Vinci Code or something, Right.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Oh, man, I forgot about that.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

Yeah. He's the guy in Da Vinci Code.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Yeah. You know, it's funny because Mev is actually asking in the Discord she's pointing out. I thought I remembered reading that Richard Harris and Michael Gambon also did not get along.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

The thing about Richard Harris and Peter o', Toole, they were all this group of drinking buddies in Britain in the 50s and 60s, I think it is. And they could be mean when they were drinking and cajoling. So I wouldn't be surprised to find all of these guys had beef.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Yeah.

[MuggleCast Host 3]

I do think, though, that there would have been a challenge for Ian McKellen to take on the role. Just from the standpoint of that he is Gandalf, and you don't want somebody in both of those roles, it just.

[MuggleCast Host 1]

I agree.

[MuggleCast Host 3]

I feel like it would confuse a lot of people. I'm sure somebody like him with the accomplishments in his career is not worried to be about being Typ cast as a wizard, but to. To be in both of those iconic roles and he does such an amazing job as Gandalf.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

Yeah.

[MuggleCast Host 3]

It just wouldn't have made a whole lot of sense in my mind anyway.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Yeah.

[MuggleCast Host 5]

For two roles that are arguably the same purpose, but two different. Two completely different characters at the same time.

[MuggleCast Host 1]

Yeah.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Yeah. Well. And I. I think. I mean, I think Dumbledore was modeled pretty heavily after Gandalf as well. So I think it would have just been. I think, especially for general audiences who maybe didn't have, like, as much knowledge about Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter as stories. It could have even confused people to think that they were the same universe and that Dumbledore was in both or that, like, Gandalf was in both. So I understand why it probably wouldn't have worked. But, I mean, he's a brilliant actor. I think he. I don't find him to be passionless.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

Right. What.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

What a strange.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

A lot since, you know, Richard Harris last saw him.

[MuggleCast Host 1]

And the audiences who aren't so clued in to the differences between the two franchises would go into Harry Potter, see Ian McKellen, and be like, why is Gandalf so dressed so fabulously in this series? But he looks all decrepit and that straight in Lord of the Rings.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Well, he's only decrepit looking before he comes back as Gandalf the White. When he. When he resurrects, he looks pretty spiffy. So I don't. Yeah, because, I mean, if you have Dumbledore, who's, like, pretty obviously gay in Harry Potter, but then again, that'd be funny. Anyway.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

Yeah.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Somebody else that I thought was interesting was Tim Roth. So you would know him from Pulp Fiction. He was also Abomination in the Hulk movies. And he's recently been brought back into the MCU to play the same role. But he was approached to play Snape.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

Yeah. This is one that I would have liked to have seen for sure. He is younger than Alan Rickman was, and it was Alan Rickman's age that pushed the age up of all the marauders in their casting. Tim Roth, if you want to see one thing he's done besides the movies that Laura just mentioned, there's a show that aired for a couple of seasons called Lie to Me, and he's the main character in that, and it's about, like, micro expressions and a guy who basically reads them, and it's a procedural kind of thing, but a great show. And he really is fantastic in that. And all the manic stuff he does for Tarantino is excellent as well. So I just think he would have been a great Snape, and I want to travel to the universe in which that actually happened.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Well, in this universe, he turned the role down because instead he wanted to do Planet of the Apes, which he had also been offered around the same time Tim Burton was doing his Planet of the Apes incarnation. So he opted for that. But he also. And I think we're gonna see this with maybe one or two other people on this list. He also had some concerns about the commitment of a franchise like this, which is funny because he's in the MCU now, but.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

Well, now. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[MuggleCast Host 3]

Worried about typecast. Like, we just mentioned how somebody like Ian McKellen probably is not worried about that. But I thought. I remember reading early on when this came out that he was worried that becoming Snape would typecast him, and that's all people would remember him for.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Totally.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

It's possible.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

And I think that is a risk with franchises like this is you. You can kind of get pigeonholed, which is why, you know, you see, like, the. The Golden Trio, you know, they've been very selective about what projects they've taken on since Hogwarts, because it would be really easy to typecast the three of them. And, I mean, it would print money, honestly.

[MuggleCast Host 1]

I do have a quote here from Tim Roth. He did say when he was offered the recalling why he didn't take the role. He said, I was like, okay, okay, that's interesting. And then I just thought, I. I'll be on every lunchbox or whatever it is, but that will be it, really. I'll be known for that. So, yes, he was concerned about being typecast.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

He doesn't want to be on any lunchboxes. Meanwhile, my Alan Rickman lunchbox is my favorite merchandise that I've ever.

[MuggleCast Host 1]

The trio have tried, like you were saying, Laura, to push back on being typecast in the years since Harry Potter, and I think they've done a pretty good job with that. But I think it's kind of egotistical to be like, oh, if I'm cast a Snape, I'm going to be typecast as this character forever. Well, like, yeah, it's a big role, but it's not a role. You're going to be typecast.

[MuggleCast Host 3]

I'm willing to bet that he is probably on more lunchboxes for Planet of the Apes than the character of Snape is on lunchboxes.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

Wasn't he like the. Or somebody? He's like the bad. The bad guy in that Planet of the Apes one. But yeah, for me, he's just one of those actors that acting is a craft and not, you know, the goal is not to be a household name. And so when you look at the roles he took, like his role in Pulp Fiction, like they're all insane and. But not the projects he, you know, takes on are not those huge franchise long commitments. Eating my words now with mcu, MCU gets everyone eventually.

[MuggleCast Host 1]

It even gets change in money talks.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

But. But yeah, I can see how in early 2000s, before there were these huge ass blockbuster franchises, why somebody like Tim Roth would be like, I don't need this other project because it's Tim Burton. He's crazy, he's wackadoodle. And could be a fun thing versus commercial mainstream Warner Brothers. John Williams scored franchise.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Yeah. Clanging and banging and technically brilliant, but passionless. I mean, man, how much ha.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

I see what you did there.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Somebody else that we have talked about before, I know is Tilda Swinton. So she was originally Conan o'.

[MuggleCast Host 3]

Brien.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

What?

[MuggleCast Host 3]

Conan o' Brien and Tilda Swinton have this ongoing. They look like each other, but.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Oh, I didn't. That's freaking me out now because I've never thought about that before. But I'm looking at her picture.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

Yeah, yeah.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Okay.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

Okay, well, and this is. Sorry, what?

[MuggleCast Host 3]

It was a long running joke on a show.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

This would have been interesting because the first thing I saw Tilda Swinton in was Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe, which I think was like 2005ish. And so she was in the running to be or. Well, the role she was going to be considered for was Trelawney, which would have premiered the year before that in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Yeah. And it is interesting because, um, she, you know, I think ultimately when. When it was first sort of decided that she wasn't going to do this, I think it was chalked up to scheduling conflicts. But she did do an interview a little bit later. I think it was like 2015 or so, where she said she declined it because she actually doesn't like the Harry Potter franchise because she feels like it kind of glorifies and romanticizes the boarding school experience.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

And what a unique reason for turning down.

[MuggleCast Host 1]

And she had had that type of education. Boarding school.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Yeah.

[MuggleCast Host 1]

And it didn't look like it does at Hogwarts.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

No, that. That's the thing. Like, I think. I think especially as, like, Americans. Not to say that we don't have boarding schools here, because we do. But I. I just don't know that the experience is maybe as commonplace.

[MuggleCast Host 3]

No.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

As. As maybe it is in the UK or maybe it used to be. But to us it seems like, oh man, I get to go live at school with my friends away from home and I get to like, have my own dorm and I don't have adults breathing down my neck all the time at all hours of the day.

[MuggleCast Host 1]

Magic.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

And it's right. Like it's organized chaos.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

Well.

[MuggleCast Host 3]

And I'm pretty sure the Pevensys did go to boarding school. I know it's not a major part of the story, but ye.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

She didn't turn that role down on principal.

[MuggleCast Host 3]

No. But we ended up getting Emma Thompson, so.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Yeah. And honestly, perfect.

[Capella University Announcer]

At Capella University, learning online doesn't mean learning alone. You'll get support from people who care about your success, like your enrollment specialist who gets to know you and the goals you'd like to achieve. You'll also get a designated academic coach who's with you throughout your entire program. Plus, career coaches are available to help you navigate your professional goals. A different future is closer than you think with Capella University. Learn more at Capella Edu.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

But I will say, I don't know if y' all remember this, but remember when we were talking about dream castings for the TV show? My dream casting is Tilda Swinton for Voldemort. I. I think she would be incredible. And I'm not, I'm not joking. I think it would such a unique way to interpret that character now. And you wouldn't even have to bring gender into it. I don't think, because, like, that's not like, I don't know that we would need to like even establish it as like a gender bent Voldemort. I think it's just that is Voldemort.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

I think otherworldly. Yeah.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

And I think, man, I think she would carry it. She was so great as the White Witch. And I think that's what kind of inspired me to think of her as Voldemort.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

And she had a good role in Doctor Strange. Talking about the mcu.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

That's right. Yeah. The Ancient One. Right. So, yeah, I would still love to see that. I am still kind of anxious to know who's going to be Voldemort or like, are they going to do a similar Thing in the TV show where the actor who's playing Quirrel will play Voldemort's face for the first year.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

For the first year down the line. Yeah, maybe.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Yeah. It can be like a theatrical production where they just like establish this is who the actor is played by.

[MuggleCast Host 1]

Yeah. It'll be interesting to see what they do. I'm very curious about that.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Yeah. The one that I didn't know about was Rosamund pike as Rita Skeeter. She. I mean, I recognize her from Gone Girl.

[MuggleCast Host 1]

Yes.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

That's what I know her the most from. But it's. I think. I think it would have been an interesting choice because she is so delicate.

[MuggleCast Host 1]

Yeah. Rita Skeeter is a lot more in your face annoying. I'm looking at her other roles, but. Yeah, from what I remember her primarily from Gone Girl as well. Laura. These other roles don't scream Rita Skeeter to me.

[MuggleCast Host 3]

I've watched her in the Wheel of Time, which is where I think this photo is from.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Oh, probably.

[MuggleCast Host 3]

Honestly, I cannot follow the Wheel of Time storyline because just there's too many things happening. But she has a little bit more of a serious side to her in that role that she's in. But it's hard because Miranda Richardson just was really, really good in that role.

[MuggleCast Host 1]

Yeah.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

Well, I think with. Regarding Rita Skeeter as a role, I think. Laura, I'm sure you're getting to this, but what I read about Rosamund pike is they wanted her to do a two film commitment and she looked at the script and said, well, she's not in it that much. Because if we think about it, like, Frida Skeeter's a very memorable character from the movies, but she's barely in it compared to her time in the book, even. So I can understand being Rosamund pike and not wanting to commit to two films if you're gonna have. God, what is it, 87 seconds of screen time? So.

[MuggleCast Host 3]

And she doesn't even show up in order of the phoenix.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

That's right. Which is the weird part.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Yeah. Like, why didn't they. If this was the plan already, why didn't they just bring Miranda Richardson back? She was great. I mean, she.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

Maybe nobody wanted to do the two film thing. They weren't going to get anybody. So they were like, okay, Miranda, you can just do this one.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Maybe. Do you remember the. I think it was. I think it was like the Goblet of Fire premiere or some other movie premiere, and Miranda Richardson was being asked why she wasn't coming back for order of the Phoenix. And she gave some BS answer about like, oh, well, we have to introduce new characters and make time for them. And it's just like, no, they just didn't write you into it. No, that's what it is.

[MuggleCast Host 1]

I do remember that actually. It's interesting, I think we heard this from Alan Rickman too, that he was initially nervous about the long term commitments. But now knowing the success of Harry Potter and how it's very much ingrained in pop culture, I wonder if actors that they're approaching for the TV show are a lot more interested because they know, like, yeah, it is a long term commitment, but commitment. But it's a long term successful commitment and the money's probably pretty good too. So it's, it's interesting how everybody's scared of the commitment. At least they were with this film series.

[MuggleCast Host 5]

Someone told me the other day that the Trio for the TV show had to sign like a 8 or 10 year contract or something because they didn't want to run into the same problem that they almost did with Emma. Wanting to back out halfway through.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

That was what I was worried about. Yeah, the kids are roped in.

[MuggleCast Host 1]

And that makes sense because I mean, HBO has already said this is going to be a 10 year commitment from them.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Yeah, that's a lot of time to ask for from a kid.

[MuggleCast Host 1]

It is, but they'll have breaks in between seasons and, you know, they'll be taught on set. They'll go through school right on set, I'm sure. And I'm sure they'll be set up quite well. But yeah, no, it is scary to commit to something like that at such a young age. Like I got nervous adopting a dog. That's a ten year commitment at. At minimum.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Yeah.

[MuggleCast Host 1]

Best case scenario. So. But also on the other hand, when you're a kid, I don't think you realize what you're really committing to. You don't know what 10 years is when you're 12 years old.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

No. I hope their parents are thinking about that on their behalf. Yeah, well, this one actually kind of threw me because I didn't know about this at all. Hugh Grant was under consideration to play Gilderoy Lockhart Was this. Did y' all know this? Because this.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

I read he was cast. I read he was actually like offered the part.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

So he actually apparently started. He dyed his hair blonde to like prepare for the part. But ultimately it came down to production conflict because he had already signed on to another project and they would have had to move production up by like three or four months on Chamber of Secrets in order to accommodate him, and it just wasn't going to work. But to be honest with you, I'm happy with Kenneth.

[MuggleCast Host 1]

Oh, me too. He was amazing.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

I don't think I would have needed Hugh Grant.

[MuggleCast Host 1]

No, me neither. That said, I think Hugh Grant could have brought the same larger than life animated role that Kenneth Branagh did to the part. So I think this would have been a win either way.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

I'm looking at what Hugh Grant was doing in those years to see if I could figure out what movie it was.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Oh, it was two weeks notice, a rom com with Sandra Bullock.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

Then he was the Prime Minister in Love, actually, so that's kind of cool.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Yeah.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

Bridget Jones.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Oh, and he made a Harry Potter reference in that role, didn't he?

[MuggleCast Host 4]

That's right. Yeah. He talked about, like, exports or something with the American President played by Billy Bob Thornton. He's like, harry Potter. Yeah. We're better than America. We have Harry Potter.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Another one that I thought was really cool was James McAvoy. So James McAvoy, who's very famous now, when he was young and sort of like a burgeoning actor, he was one of a few young actors who were being considered for the role of young Tom Riddle in Chamber of Secrets. But the really interesting thing about this is apparently they didn't make a casting call super quickly, so they put James McAvoy and a few other dudes that they were considering for the role on a retainer so that they could basically say, like, we're paying you this money. And I think he said it was like £40,000 or something. Like, in. In the grand scheme of Hollywood, that's not a ton of money. But as a young, broke actor, he.

[MuggleCast Host 1]

Was like, holy shit, I'm rich to do nothing.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Yeah. To basically just be available. If WB is like, you want to come do this movie?

[MuggleCast Host 1]

That's pretty awesome.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

Yeah.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

I mean, I would take that.

[MuggleCast Host 1]

Hell, yeah.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

Also, I have a lot of love for James McAvoy and his acting talent. Me too. And if you want to see him as a crazy killer split and essentially the Unbreakable sequels, as they're now more commonly kind of thought of by M. Night Shyamalan. I forget what the other one is called.

[MuggleCast Host 3]

I did Glass Split and Glass look up. He's 46 and actually it's the same age Christian Coulson is now, who played young Tom Riddle in Chamber of Secrets, but does seem a little old to me. But maybe not if he's the same age as they didn't make him look young.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

I mean, all of those. Even Ewan McGregor looked like a teenager in Trainspotting in some of those other early 2000s films.

[MuggleCast Host 1]

You know, Warner Brothers. My filming schedule currently looks pretty open, so if you want to put me on a $40,000 retainer to potentially play Tom Riddle, hit me up. I'm available. Just saying.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

And so kind of rounding out our list here with the one that really threw me and the one that made headlines, Andrew Sims. Surprise. Andrew has been cast in the TV show. No, but Michael Cera. Michael Cera, as in Juno, as in Superbad, as in Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. He was one of a few actors that was under consideration to play Jacob Kowalski in Fantastic Beasts.

[MuggleCast Host 3]

Yeah, this one just doesn't fit right at all.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Why? Like, it doesn't fit Jacob's character at all.

[MuggleCast Host 1]

Which is funny to me because we didn't know this character prior to the film series and, like, you know, that.

[MuggleCast Host 3]

He could have made him his own.

[MuggleCast Host 1]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, exactly. You. Why can't you see this, though? I mean, sure, we know Dan Fogler is Jacob Kowalski, but why couldn't that have been Michael? Michael Sarah's quirky.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

He's quirky.

[MuggleCast Host 1]

It's interesting that he's quirky.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

I think Michael Cera just looks so much like Eddie Redmayne. Like, that's true.

[MuggleCast Host 3]

I was gonna say, again, we don't know because he never took the part, but I can almost see his Jacob being very similar personality wise to Newt. Is that.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Yes. Well, honestly, physically awkward.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

Yeah, yeah. Which he does really well.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Well, that's because he plays himself that, like. No, no shade. Like, I think Michael Sarah is cool. I. I mean, a lot of his stuff I like, but he. I think he is someone who gets typecast and I think it could have been confusing. Genuinely, when I saw the article, I was expecting to see that he was under consideration for Newtown. So I was very surprised to see that it was Jacob. Actually.

[MuggleCast Host 1]

I could see that kind of awkward and like we were just saying, scrawny, like newts. But looking into this further, the original Variety report that reported on Michael Sarah being up for the rollback in 2015 also reported that Josh Gad Olaf was up for the role of Jacob. So it seems like Warner Brothers was going for an American.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

Well, funny guy.

[MuggleCast Host 1]

Comedian, funny guy. Right. Ultimately, Dan Fogler, way less known compared to Josh Gad and Michael Sarah. I think that ended up being a good choice.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

Yeah.

[MuggleCast Host 1]

Because then you're thinking too much, oh, that's Josh Gad. That's Michael Cera in a Harry Potter movie. Sort of like what we were thinking with Johnny Depp, but.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[MuggleCast Host 3]

Do we. I. I mean, obviously the. The character of Jacob Kowalski, also from a. Like, he's a heavier set individual, I think, like, that aligns with the, like, the baker that he is. Like his, you know, like, the way that they were kind of crafting the character. I don't.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

Can you.

[MuggleCast Host 3]

Could you get Michael Sarah to that? Like.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

Yeah.

[MuggleCast Host 1]

You want to fatten them up to be a hundred twenty pounds or large?

[MuggleCast Host 3]

Probably.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

No, I know, but I think that the things that we appreciate about Dan Fogler, the heavy heart of it, the comedic timing and the diverse body type of a character that we're not seeing all skinny minis, 100% as the leading four. Looks good, feels good, feels realistic to a time period. There are many things to like, I think, and I hope it definitely worked out. Yeah.

[MuggleCast Host 1]

I appreciate they went for somebody lesser known compared to Josh Gadder.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

That's the big thing. Yeah, I think. But evidently Michael Cera. John Cena. Michael Cera turned down the role in order to do the Lego Batman movie for which he voiced Robin.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Yeah.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

Which is a movie to another turning down a five film at this point. Fantastic Beast was five movies that had been announced. Turn down that role for the Lego Batman movie.

[MuggleCast Host 1]

That's crazy.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

He was also, I guess, worried that Harry Potter was just a little too high profile for the types of roles.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

That he wanted to take lunchboxes.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

I don't know. I just. I feel like it's a slippery slope. That's all I'm saying. Now, if the real answer were Harry Potter is kind of going through a rough patch because its author sucks, and also because these, like, Fantastic Beasts movies, like, it's not really clear how they're going to land. That's a real answer. I could totally see him not wanting to step into that lion's den.

[MuggleCast Host 1]

But also, these Lego movies are animated. Fantastic Beasts, live action. It's probably a lot easier and the pay might be just as good to just do the animated movie while wearing pajamas.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Way less effortless.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

Yeah. LegalizeGillyweed is asking us in the Discord. Give us your Michael Cera as Jacob Kowalski impressions. Does anybody want to try this?

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Oh, my God.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

I mean, first of all, I'm trying to channel Michael Cera. Is it in Juno where he's like, that's just her face. That's just her face.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

She just does that. That's just like.

[MuggleCast Host 5]

Keep trying to say you could you argue that Jacob and Queenie. Or maybe part time lover, part time friend.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm picturing Jacob in a tracksuit in the. In the. In the June, in the Juno tracksuit as he runs, as he goes to the bank to take it alone.

[MuggleCast Host 1]

Michael Cera talks kind of plainly. So I feel like I don't really have an impression for this.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

No, he's very plain, legalized. That's what Laura, I think, was saying. When you talk about, like somebody playing themself, like, there's no inflection. There's no. Like his voice is as voice. His character, like, kind of.

[MuggleCast Host 3]

Yeah, I'm Jacob Kowalski.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Yeah, yeah.

[MuggleCast Host 3]

Muffins.

[MuggleCast Host 1]

Remember when he drinks the ghillie weed? Right. Or the.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

Oh, yeah. Is it. Oh, giggle water.

[MuggleCast Host 1]

Giggle water. Michael Sarah would just go, huh.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

That's.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

There it is. That's the Michael Sarah lasting Jacob Kowalski impression.

[MuggleCast Host 1]

He needed somebody with more animation. Oh, more animation.

[MuggleCast Host 3]

How would Trelawney do it?

[MuggleCast Host 1]

Oh, that's so funny. Michael Cera. I prefer wine.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Oh, man.

[MuggleCast Host 1]

Yeah, Wine, Gilly. Wine.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Fetch my sherry. What? I also feel. I feel like Dan Fogler's portrayal of Jacob gives him honestly, like a little more game, like a little more Riz. Honestly. Michael Sarah does not swagger.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

No, Riz. No. No.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

He wouldn't be able to pull it off, I don't think. No. But, yeah, it's really interesting to kind of turn back time and look at what could have been. And to be honest with you, there aren't too many of these examples that I feel sad that we didn't get. I think for the most part I'm happy with what we got.

[MuggleCast Host 1]

Yeah. It all worked out for the best.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Yeah, I think so. Yeah.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

What do you think of the Harry Potter movies?

[MuggleCast Host 2]

It'll be interesting to see what this list looks like for the show because, you know, eventually that's going to come out where it's like, who else was under consideration for Snape?

[MuggleCast Host 4]

I'm looking forward to. Yeah, I'm looking forward to people's reasoning this go round. If they turned it down.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Well, we. There have. I think, Eric, what you're referring to is there have been multiple actors who have come out and very vocally been like, yeah, no, I don't wanna. I don't wanna be associated with her. Thanks. Bye. I mean, there are some that are doing that. Whether they've been approached, I don't know.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

Or if they're like preemptively, like, just like. No.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Yeah.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

They're like taking themselves out of the running.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Yeah. Don't Call me. Well, thanks so much for getting in this time machine with me.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

This was a lot of fun to.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Think about, like, what Hugh Grant and Michael cera and James McAvoy could have been doing all those years ago.

[MuggleCast Host 3]

What could have been?

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Yeah, they could have made way more money if they'd signed on to Potter.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

But, yeah, just reminds me of Rhys Ifans played the roommate in Notting Hill opposite Hugh Grant and, you know, eventually cast as Xenophilius Lovegood. So it's funny how adjacent Harry Potter, adjacent all of Britain is.

[MuggleCast Host 3]

Everything happens for a reason.

[MuggleCast Host 5]

I still wish Viggo Mortensen would have been serious.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

Ooh, that would have been really cool.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

That would have been cool from Strider.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

To Padfoot and him.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

But I could see that being another kind of similar point of confusion to, like, the. The Ian McKellen is Dumbledore thing. But, yeah, I mean, to be honest with you, if. If they had not gotten Gary Oldman, I think. I think Viggo Mortensen would have been my next choice as well. Well, cool, y'. All. Thanks for hanging out. And hey, if we missed anyone, feel free to let us know. We know there are some other examples, like Helen McCrory, but that's a little bit different because she was originally supposed to be Bellatrix. She got to come back and be Narcissa. Well, let us know if we missed anyone who we missed. And also, yeah, if you have any predictions about what other actors may be under consideration for the TV show, we want to hear it. Thanks, y'. All.

[MuggleCast Host 4]

Thank you.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Next time.

[MuggleCast Host 1]

Bye.

[MuggleCast Host 3]

Thank you.

[MuggleCast Host 2]

Bye.

[MuggleCast Host 1]

Don't Forget to visit patreon.com mugglecast and help us out. We would really appreciate your support. We'll see you next week.