HBO Nears Deal with John Lithgow for Dumbledore Role in Harry Potter Series

HBO is reportedly in the final stages of negotiations with John Lithgow, renowned for his role as Lord Farquaad in Shrek, to take on the iconic role of Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore in the much-anticipated Harry Potter reboot series.

According to Variety, Lithgow is on the verge of securing the role, though HBO has remained tight-lipped, refusing to confirm the news. This development comes as a surprise, especially after Variety reported in November that Mark Rylance was the frontrunner for the role of Dumbledore.

A spokesperson for HBO commented, "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 illustrious career spans numerous acclaimed performances in films like The World According to Garp, Terms of Endearment, and Footloose, as well as TV shows such as Dexter and The Crown.

Despite various reports, casting details for the series remain largely under wraps. HBO is also on the hunt for actors to portray Harry, Hermione, and Ron, and has reportedly cast Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape.

The series aims to stay true to its British roots, a decision perhaps 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 show promises to be a "faithful adaptation" of the beloved novels, offering a more "in-depth" exploration of the story than what was possible in the films. The project is in the capable hands of Succession producers Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod, with Mylod also having contributed to Game of Thrones.