A Different Fit

[Prof. Maxim Trevelyan]

With the recent news of Johnny Depp exiting Fantastic Beasts franchise, there was speculation who, if anyone, will fill his role. I admit that while I love Depp, I was extremely shocked and annoyed at the Grindelwald reveal at the end of Fantastic Beasts. Colin Farrell did such a great job of being just the right amount of menacing, dark and questionable in my opinion. I was skeptical when I heard they were looking for a replacement, but when they announced Mads Mikkelsen as new Gellert Grindelwald, I was ecstatic. It gives me hope in the series and the direction it will be going in.

Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy) originally auditioned for the role of Harry Potter and Ron Weasley. I cannot imagine anyone other than Felton as Draco, so I think the change was a great idea.

Richard Harris played Dumbledore for the first two films and presented a much calmer, twinkly-eyed Dumbledore, like J.K. Rowling's description of him in the books. After his death, Michael Gambon continued in the role, but while I would not say he was bad in it, his potrayal of Dumbledore was at key points vastly different than in the books (Goblet of Fire incident being as one I remember the most). Sir Ian McKellen, best known for his roles as Gandalf and Magneto, revealed that he was offered the role of Dumbledore but ultimately refused it.

Do you think the actors who played the characters were the best pick? Who would you have liked to see as a specific character that never had a (prominent) role in the movies?

[February Fortescue]

I couldn't agree with you more with Mads Mikkelsen as new Gellert Grindelwald! I'm really excited about his casting

I remember reading that Helen McCrory, who played Narcissa Malfoy, was originally cast as Bellatrix Lestrange, but had to drop out of the role after she became pregnant. I think Helena Bonham Carter was a much better fit as Bellatrix!

The only casting I'd change, other than the ones you've mentioned, is with Clemence Poesy, who played Fleur Delacour. She didn't seem to me to have that exceptional part veela beauty or charisma. I just didn't find her very interesting.