The Harry Potter reboot may be looking for unknowns to play the new trio of Harry, Ron, and Hermione, but the series is going to be casting some well-known actors for the part of the adults with a new Hagrid finally named.
The movie had already found a Dumbledore and Snape, and now Deadline is reporting that Nick Frost (Star Wars: Skeleton Crew) is being eyed for the role of Hogwarts groundskeeper Rubeus Hagrid.
Should Frost land the part, he would be joining a cast that already includes John Lithgow (Dumbledore), Paapa Essiedu (Snape), and Janet McTeer (McGonagall). For now, it does look like the series is concerned with casting the faculty, since they will be appearing as regulars in future seasons.
Besides the Hogwarts staff, the series would also have to think long-term in casting the Dursleys, the Weasleys, and other recurring characters like the Malfoys and Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge. It will probably be a while before they start casting for members of the Order of the Phoenix.
For now, a lot of fans are extremely sceptical that the series will manage to finish the whole story again. With the original movies so well-regarded, it’s said that the series reboot is still going to keep most of the aesthetics (and even the music) the same in order to make sure the theme parks and merch are still relevant.
I was personally in the camp of just expanding the world, but seeing as how Fantastic Beasts just fizzled out in the box office, it looks like the execs wanted a sure hit that mines on fan nostalgia—which worked out so well for the Star Wars universe.
No release date has been set for the Potter reboot, but it does seem like they’re aiming for a 2026 premiere.
