John Lithgow discusses how Albus Dumbledore is like a"nuclear weapon"inHarry Potter. Lithgow previously confirmed withScreenRantthat he has been cast as Dumbledore inHBO’s upcomingHarry Pottershow. Other well-known actors have been rumored to be playing key roles, including Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, and Brett Goldstein as Rubeus Hagrid, although none of these actors have been confirmed. Filming for season 1 is set to begin this summer.
While on theSmartlesspodcast with Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett (viaEntertainment Weekly), Lithgow was asked about the experience of joining the show, whichled to him explaining why he sees Dumbledore as a"nuclear weapon.“He also shared that he does not yet know what his production schedule will entail when filming commences this summer in England, although he admitted that the logistics may be challenging. Check out Lithgow’s comments below:
You know, Dumbledore, he’s kind of this nuclear weapon. He only goes off very, very occasionally. And I don’t think it’s gonna be that hard a job.
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Albus Dumbledore Is Distinct From Previous John Lithgow Roles
“Nuclear weapon"is an unusual choice of words to describe Dumbledore, who is known for being a generally calm and composed character. This characterization is why Michael Gambon’s Dumbledore shouting in Harry’s face during theHarry Potter and the Goblet of Firemovie remains a jarring scene to watch years later. Lithgow’s remark about Dumbledore only going off"very, very occasionally"provides more clarity, as itunderscores that Dumbledore is able to control his emotions well, and it is rare for him to lose control.
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Saying that playing Dumbledore is not"gonna be that hard of a job"is also a surprising comment. However, it makes sense given thatmany of Lithgow’s other characters are far more emotionally turbulent, including as the Trinity Killer inDexter, Lord Farquaad inShrek, and as Dave Crealy in the recent horror movieThe Rule of Jenny Pen. Doing justice toDumbledore’s best quotesand most memorable scenes will still be a challenging feat, but the character does have more emotional equilibrium in contrast with the villains and more chaotic characters Lithgow has previously portrayed.
Our Take On John Lithgow’s Comments
They Make The Harry Potter Show More Intriguing
Lithgow’s response is a perfect example of how an actor’s comments need to be taken with full context in mind. On the surface, the description seems like a mischaracterization of Dumbledore, but this is not the case when compared to other characters Lithgow has played. As the first confirmed member of theHarry Pottershow’s cast, his commentsleave me intrigued to see how his depiction of Dumbledore will compare to the performances by Gambon, Richard Harris, and Jude Law, who previously played the character in theHarry Pottermovies.
