Robin Williams Almost Played Hagrid!

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Without a doubt, one of the most significant milestones in entertainment is undeniably Harry Potter. With sales exceeding 500 million copies worldwide across its seven core books and three additional titles, this series has been localized into over 80 languages. To this day, it remains incredibly popular, particularly considering the influence of the films. The franchise’s lasting impact is evident in the enduring affection for the original cast (excluding a spin-off and an upcoming reboot). Remarkably, had events unfolded differently, we might have witnessed other actors playing these legendary roles. However, it was J.K. Rowling who ensured our favorite stars graced the pages of this magical saga.

At a certain point, it seemed as if everyone around the globe was captivated by Harry Potter. When the movie versions were announced, numerous actors expressed interest in joining – Eddie Redmayne, Saoirse Ronan, Jamie Campbell Bower, Naomi Watts, Rosie O’Donnell, among others. However, Robin Williams, who was already a renowned Hollywood figure and an Academy Award winner, showed particular enthusiasm. He even attempted to secure the role of Hagrid in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, but to no avail. He made another attempt for the role of Remus Lupin in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, hoping for success, but ultimately, he was unsuccessful in landing those roles.

To someone unfamiliar with the situation, it might come as quite a surprise. Casting the talented and versatile Williams for the role of Lupin was undeniably an excellent choice, given his ability to seamlessly blend drama and humor. However, it wasn’t his talent that was in question; instead, it boiled down to a single, unyielding rule: “No American actors in this movie.”

J.K. Rowling, the author, sought to maintain the cultural authenticity of the story by keeping it strictly British. Even Chris Columbus, who directed the first two films and was personally acquainted with Williams, had to adhere to this rule. Despite this constraint, Columbus couldn’t help but express his admiration for Williams, stating that his portrayal of Lupin would have been exceptional. As he shared with Business Insider, “Robin would have been brilliant. It would have been a unique interpretation – I thought David Thewlis was excellent – but Robin would have been brilliant.

After Williams was disqualified, it became evident that no other American actor had a realistic shot at the role. If Columbus chose to reject him, there was simply no hope for anyone else. Even Harry himself, an American actor like Liam Aiken (renowned for his work in A Series of Unfortunate Events), was considered and even tried out. However, raw talent wasn’t the only deciding factor.

Indeed, there were certain exceptions, yet under specific circumstances. Columbus’ daughter secured a minor part at Hogwarts, however, she was only allowed to be silent on-screen for about 80 days, essentially serving as an extra and trying on the Sorting Hat without uttering a single word. On the other hand, Verne Troyer initially played Griphook the goblin, but he didn’t stay long. Warwick Davis voiced Griphook in the first movie, and by “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1”, Davis had assumed full control of the role as Griphook became more prominent. Troyer had some personal troubles that may not have been ideal for publicity, which might have played a part in the decision as well.

Initially, when the Harry Potter films were released, many of the actors, particularly the Golden Trio, were relatively unknown and gained fame solely due to their roles in the series. The decision to cast only British actors was daring, though there was a justification for it at the time. However, given today’s norms, it seems somewhat antiquated as it is common to see American actors portraying British characters, and vice versa. For example, Tom Holland effectively portrays Spider-Man with an authentic American accent. Considering J.K. Rowling’s frequent involvement in controversy, this casting choice may not be so surprising after all.

For the forthcoming remake, the casting call primarily focuses on UK and Irish residents for the student roles, particularly the three principal characters. The actors are expected to use their native accents. To maintain diversity and inclusivity, as stated by the BBC, the casting process is also open to a wide range of talents. However, given J.K. Rowling’s role as executive producer, some fans are curious about potential similarities with the original series. Despite no apparent strict rules, it seems that local actors are being preferred for many major roles in this production.

It’s undeniable that the decision to cast only British actors in the Harry Potter films was a good one, but it’s intriguing to ponder what might have happened if some of Hollywood’s top stars had been given roles instead. While this change might not have bothered the audience significantly, it could have potentially caused issues for J.K. Rowling. Alas, we will never know what it would have been like to see Robin Williams portray Hagrid or Lupin, a thought that remains a captivating ‘what if’.

All Harry Potter films are available to stream on Max.

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2025-04-07 02:11