HBO is reportedly in the final stages of negotiations with John Lithgow, the actor known for his role as Lord Farquaad in Shrek, to portray Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore in the upcoming Harry Potter reboot series. According to Variety, Lithgow is on the verge of securing the role, although HBO has not yet confirmed this news. This development comes despite earlier reports in November from Variety that Mark Rylance was the top choice for the role of Dumbledore.
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's extensive career includes notable performances in films like The World According to Garp, Terms of Endearment, and Footloose, as well as television roles in Dexter and The Crown.
Despite various reports, casting details for the Harry Potter series remain largely under wraps. HBO is also in the process of casting the iconic roles of Harry, Hermione, and Ron, and has reportedly found its Severus Snape in actor Paapa Essiedu. The series aims to maintain a focus on British talent, a decision influenced by the involvement of the original author, J.K. Rowling, who is "fairly involved" in the casting process.
Announced in April 2023, the Harry Potter series is set to be a "faithful adaptation" of the novels, offering a more "in-depth" exploration of the story than what was possible in the two-hour film format. The project will be helmed by Succession producers Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod, with the latter also having worked on Game of Thrones.
