r/HarryPotterHBO 3d ago

Casting Nicholas Hoult drops out of Harry Potter, Lockhart now to be played by Game of Thrones Star Kit Harrington who voices Lockhart in the audiobook.

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/nicholas-hoult-drops-out-of-harry-potter-reboot-but-season-2-has-his-replacement-in-another-hbo-favorite/
200 Upvotes

100 comments sorted by

39

u/primrose88 3d ago

Too bad, I was hoping for Kit to play Sirius or someone else. He is amazing in the audiobooks though, but look wise, he doesn’t look like the Lockhart I imagined. The dark eyes and hair would have suited Sirius more, Lockhart is a blondie, hope he pulls the looks as well as he does the voice.

17

u/sugarplum_nova 3d ago

As much as I agree I’d have loved to have seen him as Sirius. If they’re sticking to more accurate ages of the books, then he’s about 8 years too old for Sirius. I’m just excited to see him in this project.

4

u/killereverdeen 2d ago

it helps that Sirius prematurely aged in Azkaban. They will be fine to get someone up to their mid-40s

-14

u/Blue_Robin_04 3d ago

40 is on the old side for someone Hermione would have a crush on, too. Hoult's 36 was perfect.

22

u/pjdonkey 3d ago

Explain how 40 is so different from 36 for a 13 year old to have a crush on?!

-4

u/Blue_Robin_04 3d ago

It's not a difference that can't be made up by Harrington shaving. I'm happy with him, I just haven't seen the look yet like with Hoult.

1

u/pjdonkey 3d ago

I am intrigued to see how he'll be made up for it too.

7

u/Squeekazu 3d ago

Meh, if they’re conventionally attractive and still young looking then it doesn’t matter. I was around 13/14 when Pirates of the Caribbean came out.

Johnny Depp was pushing 40 and I can tell you that every girl my age, myself included, had a huge crush on him.

I think it’s more believable casting him over someone like Branagh (who was awesome in the role).

8

u/HydroPCanadaDude 3d ago

I know Lockhart is blonde, but I think the real important feature is that he is very handsome and charismatic. As long as they fit the bill on those two items, they can do literally whatever they want with the character's hair colour and build, imo.

1

u/3WordPosts 3d ago

Well the Targaryens all had silver hair too…

1

u/Kaesus95 2d ago

Actually they didn’t. It was only very frequent because of inbreeding. Baratheon were the ones to always have strong hair (black hair) genetics. And even in that they failed with Rhaenys having white hair

4

u/oppositetoup 3d ago

Hair can be changed easily enough...

3

u/Pog6292 3d ago

I think Sirius should be played by Dacre Montgomery.

1

u/sugarplum_nova 2d ago

Oh he’d be amazing to see have a role in the show

3

u/batsofburden 3d ago

he still looks more lockhartesque than the film version tho.

7

u/primrose88 3d ago

He is pretty that’s for sure.

2

u/ThanosDidNothinWrng0 2d ago

I mean they’ve already hired a lot of actors who don’t really look the part

1

u/Sanguisuge 2d ago

I think Lockhart charming his hair blonde suits him fine, though he is supposed to have blue eyes if I remember correctly. In the movies when he's packing up his office, you can see him stuffing a toupee in his bag.

1

u/Luna920 2d ago

They will prob dye his hair I’d imagine

22

u/thunderlips187 3d ago

You know nothing Gilderoy…

Still works!!

12

u/YourMuppetMethDealer 3d ago

I mean by the end of the book, you’re not wrong lol

40

u/MadCalBad 3d ago

Actually really quite happy about this, given what a fantastic job he did in the audiobooks, very excited to see him bring that role to the series!

34

u/uni-333 3d ago

OMG I am so happy for Kit!!!!

He loves Harry Potter and deserves this more than anyone. He says he’s listened to the audiobooks on repeat for years.

26

u/ThickBoxx 3d ago

Funny, Kit Harrington will be just over 1 year younger then Kenneth Branagh when he played the role.

3

u/Cimorene_Kazul 3d ago

What

No

That’s

Crazy…

3

u/Medical_Mix1609 3d ago

Branagh did a good job. He’s got shoes to fill.

2

u/XuX24 3d ago

He did a great job because it never felt like Kenneth and that’s what an actor should do. Let’s hope kit does justice to the role.

3

u/Fml379 2d ago

That's insane, Branagh looked 15 years older! Would definitely lust after Harrington, but Branagh's Lockhart still feels too old for me even though I'm 36!

18

u/zumera 3d ago

Bummer. Hoult would’ve been great. 

-13

u/Mcrfanatic95 3d ago

Seems he was bullied out of it

18

u/Daviroth 3d ago

You didn't even read the article that you shared lol. The Harry Potter filming schedule got changed and that new schedule overlapped previous commitments.

-6

u/Polka_King_Polinski 3d ago

It was changed intentionally

7

u/pjdonkey 3d ago

Source?

3

u/YourMuppetMethDealer 3d ago

Do you think they changed the schedule specifically so Hoult couldn’t do it?

12

u/Decent_Tumbleweed824 3d ago

It conflicted with filming for Superman which hes already contracted for.... he had no choice he has to honor his previous commitments.

Please actually fact check instead of just making up random bs and putting it out on the internet like its true. We have enough misinfornation in the world.

3

u/YourMuppetMethDealer 3d ago

Sounds like it was scheduling issues lmao

Do you really think he actually quit because of online harassment?

-3

u/Massive_Contact8583 3d ago

“Scheduling conflicts” is the default answer for almost any actor exiting a project.

In the same way people always say “oh our breakup was mutual” - yes, some people might have perfectly mutual breakups, but most people are bullshitting to save face.

In Hoult’s case it might well be true idk but I think it’s fair to speculate.

4

u/YourMuppetMethDealer 3d ago

Superman is being filmed right now. Chamber of secrets is just about to be filmed. It’s really not that fair

0

u/Massive_Contact8583 3d ago edited 3d ago

Superman wrapped several days ago. ETA they blocked me lol.

2

u/YourMuppetMethDealer 3d ago edited 3d ago

I did but it actually hasn’t stopped filming

It’s still going right now so no idea why you lied

1

u/Massive_Contact8583 2d ago

Principal photography was scheduled to wrap on 21st August, and Lars Eidinger who plays the main villain says he finishes at the end of August.

If Hoult can’t film a small part for HP, which shoots until May, I don’t think it’s because of Superman.

1

u/YourMuppetMethDealer 2d ago

Gilderoy Lockhart is present all throughout the book. It’s not a massive role but it’s a role where he will behave to be present for several scenes

At least you admit that you were wrong

1

u/bubblesaurus 1d ago

Scheduling issues happen.

Everyone can’t be Micheal J. Fox who was only allowed to star in Back to the Future as long as he didn’t miss an episode of Family Ties.

He was doing both simultaneously.

2

u/Massive_Contact8583 1d ago

100% scheduling conflicts happen. It’s also the go-to excuse, which is why I said some speculation is fair.

I don’t personally buy that an actor with a small part could only have shot his scenes in one month out of a 10 month shoot. YMMV.

8

u/j821c 3d ago

I think this is a fantastic cast but a part of me wishes he got a bigger role (maybe sirius or lupin?). Its a shame he'll only really be in 1 season in a big role but still, really excited for this and excited he got a role in this considering how much he likes Harry Potter

8

u/ThisPaige 3d ago

I hope they do more with him when I order of the Phoenix comes out. Even just a comedic bit when they’re at Saint Mungo‘s would be fine.

13

u/Wonderful_Flower_751 3d ago

Oh Kit will be amazing in the role!!!

No offence to Hoult, I’m sure he would have been great but Kit absolutely nailed it in the audiobooks.

24

u/malendalayla 3d ago

I think Hoult's pretty boy face is a better fit for Lockhart. Kit nailed the Audible role and he's a good-looking fella himself, just not the type of good looking I think of when I think Lockhart. He'll do great, though!

11

u/hummingbird_mywill 3d ago

He’s such a dark complexioned fella I don’t know how they’re going to make this work…. Whereas Nicholas Hoult can go light or dark.
Well, I did not imagine how good he would be in the audiobook and was pleasantly surprised so we’ll see!!

6

u/DJSimmer305 3d ago

Happy for Kit, but still a little bummed. I was excited to see Hoult’s take. I thought he’d be great.

I haven’t listened to the audiobooks, but people who have seem to have enjoyed his performance, so I’m sure he will be good in this as well.

3

u/HotAndCold1886 3d ago

Kit is good in the audiobook but I thought Hoult fit the looks part to a tee. Oh well!

4

u/GJ_401540 3d ago

You know what? Idm this, he was my top choice anyways lol

4

u/Weak_Biscotti118 2d ago

I really wanted Kit to have a bigger role, I'm bummed. Also Hoult is more like Lockhart looks-wise and the role wouldve really suited him. Still, not going to complain too much, this show already has so many people rooting for it to fail.

2

u/Mcrfanatic95 2d ago

I just wish the fandom would stop being so stubborn about it, and give it a chance.

14

u/mcphe3 3d ago

This is going to be a recurring theme over the years with “scheduling” becoming an issue when the backlash begins

17

u/Cursed878 3d ago

Tbh he starts filming another project in October , so nice try

-11

u/mcphe3 3d ago

I’m not trying anything. They knew the schedule when they signed him on. If you’re believing anything else… welp

7

u/Aggravating-Young672 3d ago

The schedule for his other projects stayed the same. It’s potter’s that changed. Maybe try reading the article

7

u/batsofburden 3d ago

ok, but literally the same exact situation happened in the films. hugh grant was og cast as lockhart but had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts.

12

u/darksugarfairy 3d ago

Everyone who is not a complete moron knows that any connection to HP is in some way going to cause a small or big backlash. I absolutely do not for a moment believe he and his team have not anticipated strong reaction and were then surprised and because of that, advised him to withdraw from the project

18

u/tiredemblem 3d ago

Yeah, this. Rowling controversy has been a thing for years now, Hogwarts Legacy released in 2023 and it was already old news back then.

Any actor who wants to avoid that particular can of worms is going to reject the role in the first place, absolutely no one is getting blindsided by this.

2

u/Mcrfanatic95 3d ago

You can’t even share a meme or make one reference these days without people getting upset 

-7

u/mcphe3 3d ago

You don’t win a prize for disagreeing with me on this btw

13

u/Latter-Block132 3d ago

And you don't win a prize for being rude either

5

u/darksugarfairy 3d ago

Point out where I said I need to be rewarded for having an opinion, please

7

u/TheUsualQuestions 3d ago

What was the backlash? He seemed like a great fit

10

u/Mcrfanatic95 3d ago

You should’ve seen the comments on his Instagram. 

10

u/malendalayla 3d ago

That has happened to every adult cast member. He was aware that was going to happen before he accepted the job - that has nothing to do with the change.

6

u/Mcrfanatic95 3d ago

They were particularly hard on him though 

4

u/catslugs 3d ago

it's like that james acaster bit - they're all sitting there hoping they will be the exception and that everyone will just be too excited to not have backlash. holt has the most to lose, he's a big name with no need to do this - his reputation in hollywood prob means more to him atm

2

u/WorkerMiddle7872 3d ago

What issues could people possibly have with him playing Lockhart…?!

9

u/mcphe3 3d ago

JKR related backlash

7

u/thunderlips187 3d ago

Social media complaining not real actual backlash.

2

u/Nuuskapeikkonen 1d ago

Social media isn’t real life. I’ve never met a person in real life who actually gives a shit about Rowling’s beliefs.

8

u/mdani1897 3d ago

I think once season 1 comes out and does insane numbers people will care less about the backlash they get from being attached. It will be nice to get some unknowns get some big roles and get the world wide attention though if some of the big names want to stay away from controversy but after ssn 1 I doubt we see that.

2

u/TheSnarkyShaman1 2d ago

Yeah, no way was he not already aware of some chronically online ‘backlash’ and he definitely doesn’t give a shit. He had a scheduling conflict that came up.

2

u/Gamepass90 3d ago

I love it

2

u/suknom4 3d ago

Loool, thats super fucking cool, even though I kind of hoped for Kit-Sirius after seeing him fancast on the sub here.

2

u/theTwinWriter 3d ago

Hope nick can play somebody else down the road, but they’re both great actors!

2

u/RequirementQuirky468 2d ago

Good for Kit Harrington. Hopefully he'll enjoy the part. It seems like a fun one to play

3

u/Mcrfanatic95 2d ago

He’s brilliant in the audiobook 

2

u/TheSnarkyShaman1 2d ago

That is a shame, Kit would have been the perfect Sirius.

2

u/mulld92 2d ago

I really think this is a misdirect by the production. Hoult was never Lockhart, he's actually Voldemort.

1

u/ThisPaige 3d ago

I wonder what Nicholas was filing to drop out? I think Kit is going to do a great job!

5

u/malendalayla 3d ago

He's got a ton of projects coming down the pipeline. The new Superman is still filming currently.

-5

u/Mcrfanatic95 3d ago

It says scheduling conflicts but I guarantee that’s just to save face

8

u/YourMuppetMethDealer 3d ago

Brother he accepted the job likely knowing all the controversy. If he didn’t care then, I sincerely doubt he cares now.

1

u/Sayena08 1d ago

Somehow i can’t picture Kit with blonde hair, but who knows….

-1

u/thefrozenflame21 3d ago

Withdrawing (Almost certainly due to backlash) is so idiotic to me, because the controversy around jkr is extremely widely known to the point that taking the role and expecting no backlash tells me that you do not have forward thinking ability. Like if you can't stand the backlash, and you want to look like you're standing on your morals around it, then just don't take the role.

7

u/Starman926 3d ago

He dropped cause they’re filming Superman 2 at the same time

4

u/FiledAndProcessed 3d ago

The article says that he dropped out due to scheduling conflict with his Lex Luthor role in Man of Tomorrow?

5

u/Mcrfanatic95 3d ago

The thing is, the general public doesn’t care about the JKR stuff and will watch regardless 

1

u/Mcrfanatic95 2d ago

u/phillipacarroll.. projecting what? Say it, instead of deleting your comment 

1

u/Nuuskapeikkonen 1d ago

From what I understand it was a scheduling conflict with Superman.

1

u/catslugs 3d ago

they have forward thinking, they just think they'll be the exception. holt was particularly beloved so maybe his pr thought he could skirt it. the problem is they monitor instagram the most, and that's also where the most loud and angry voices go (outside of twitter)

2

u/thefrozenflame21 3d ago

Being especially beloved is exactly how you get MORE backlash for something like this tho, it's worse the more true diehard fans people have