Harry Potter series update: Jared Harris nixes idea of putting his father’s wizard’s hat
“Leave them alone.” That’s what Jared Harris, the “Mad Men,” “The Crown,” and Chernobyl star thinks about the original Harry Potter films.
The twice Emmy-nominated actor is, of course, the son of the late actor and singer Richard Harris (and brother to director Damian Harris and actor Jamie Harris). Richard played Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter films before he died. For the later films, Richard was replaced by Michael Gambon.
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With HBO planning a reboot of the J.K. Rowling series for television, teasing a more detailed adaptation of the beloved books, The Independent asked Jared Harris if he had any interest in taking on the role initially played by his father.
Not only did he bat that away with a “no, thank you,” he said something that Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders maybe do not want to hear: “Also, I mean, why do it? I don’t understand. The films were fantastic – leave them alone.”
The final book in the Potter series, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” was published in 2007 and the final film adaptation came out in 2011. The continuation of the story, “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” continues to draw crowds on Broadway, in London’s West End, in Hamburg, Germany and in Tokyo. The recent video game “Hogwarts Legacy” has sold over 24 million units, making it one of the most successful releases of all time. Moreover, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme parks in Orlando, Hollywood, Osaka and Beijing are all in full stride, featuring branding, likenesses and videos of the original cast.
Nevertheless, HBO is eyeing a 2026 launch for the new version, and is currently seeking out cast.
One alumni, Oscar-winner Gary Oldman, who played Sirius Black in the original run, has floated the idea that he could maybe return as Dumbledore.
Here’s Richard Harris, who was nominated for Best Actor Oscars in 1963 and 1991 for “This Sporting Life” and “The Field,” singing his 1968 Grammy-nominated international pop hit “MacArthur Park,” written by Jimmy Webb—truly one of the strangest songs of the 20th century.
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