Gary Oldman’s Dumbledore Dream Casting Would Make Up For A Harry Potter Movie Injustice

Gary Oldman recently revealed who he thinks should play Dumbledore in the Harry Potter TV show, and his casting idea may just be perfect. More than a decade after the Harry Potter film franchise ended, HBO announced that they would be making a Harry Potter television series. Allegedly, the TV show is being made to be more accurate to the books than the movies were. However, just like the original franchise, the new Harry Potter show will follow a cast of young actors who audiences will get to see grow up on screen as Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

One of the big questions surrounding the Harry Potter TV show is who will be in it. Notably, the Harry Potter movies had large casts of incredible British actors, from Maggie Smith and Alan Rickman to Imelda Staunton and Michael Gambon. In this way, it will be difficult for HBO’s Harry Potter to live up to the movies’ ensemble. The show could create its own star-studded cast, or bring on complete unknowns to offer audiences an entirely clean slate. At this point, there’s no telling what HBO plans on doing, but Oldman has an interesting idea.

Gary Oldman Pitched The Possibility Of Playing Dumbledore In The Harry Potter Remake

Who Has Played Dumbledore In The Past

In a recent interview with IndieWire, interviewers asked Gary Oldman if he would be up for reprising his role as Sirius Black in the Harry Potter TV show. Oldman revealed that he hadn’t gotten any casting calls, but that he still has a soft spot in his heart for the Harry Potter character. Then, Oldman added that “Maybe in a few years, [he] could do Dumbledore.” Though the actor may have intended this as a joke, it isn’t a bad idea. Oldman has already succeeded in the Harry Potter franchise, so a simple switch of characters wouldn’t be too difficult.

If Oldman did play Dumbledore, he would be joining a group of incredibly talented and notable actors to step into the shoes of the famed wizard. In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, the Hogwarts headmaster was played by Richard Harris. After his death, the role was taken up in the next seven movies by Michael Gambon. Throughout Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, a younger Albus Dumbledore was played by Jude Law. In this way, Oldman would fit in very well with these accomplished men. Oldman has the experience and talent to portray an important figure like Dumbledore.

Casting Gary Oldman As Dumbledore Would Make Up For A Major Movie Injustice

Why Sirius Black Has A Small Role In Harry Potter

One big reason why casting Oldman as Dumbledore would be a good thing is because he didn’t get as much screen time as Sirius Black. Although Black is one of the most beloved characters in the Harry Potter franchise, his story is somewhat brief. He appears as a criminal in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, plays a supporting role as Harry’s godfather in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, and is killed soon after. In this way, audiences simply didn’t get enough of Sirius Black, and in turn, Oldman.

Sirius’ role in Harry Potter is interesting because it is physically small, but it feels incredibly important. Because Harry fears and hates Sirius and then loves and respects him, viewers adopt these strong emotions towards him as well. On top of that, Sirius is the only true and loving family that Harry has left before being murdered. Therefore, Harry and the viewers want to hold onto him as tight as possible. Everything he does feels extraordinary, leaving everyone wanting more. That is what makes his death so tragic as well. His lack of time makes him even more important.

The Sirius Actor Playing Dumbledore Would be A Fun Easter Egg (But Might Be Distracting)

HBO’s Harry Potter May Want To Stand On Its Own

Ultimately, it would be amazing to see Oldman return to the Harry Potter franchise as Dumbledore. Audiences would get to see more of the legendary actor and enjoy some nostalgia from his days as Sirius Black. Plus, it would make for a very fun Easter Egg between the original movies and the new TV show. However, Oldman’s casting may also have its set of challenges. His previous role as Sirius may make his new role as Dumbledore confusing or distracting. Furthermore, it would be harder for Oldman to make the character his own because of his history with the franchise.

In the end, there are pros and cons to Oldman joining the cast of the Harry Potter TV show. It may be great for fans, but could also bring down the quality of the show. It may be better for the series to try and stand on its own two feet with a completely new cast. Nostalgia plays an important factor, but it cannot be what keeps this show afloat. So while Oldman can return to Harry Potter, it may not be as awesome as viewers would want it to be.

Source: IndieWire

Harry Potter

Harry Potter is a multimedia franchise about an orphaned boy who enrolls at Hogwarts School of Wizardry, where he learns the truth about himself, his family, and the terrible evil that haunts the magical world. Adapted from the novels, Harry Potter is an eight-episode film saga that follows the journey of Harry Potter and his friends, Hermoine Granger and Ron Weasley, as they navigate the tricky world of growing up, school life, and magic. Starting from year one and moving to their seventh year, the films chronicle the students’ time at Hogwarts while unfurling a sinister plot that centers around the unsuspecting Harry. With the return of the dark wizard, Voldemort, the students and professors at Hogwarts will fight to carry on as the world around them may change forever. Harry Potter has expanded beyond the world of its films and novels with several video games, a spin-off film series titled Fantastic Beasts, and even attractions at Universal Studios.