American actor John Lithgow is reportedly in final talks to play Albus Dumbledore in HBO’s much-awaited ‘Harry Potter reboot, which will hit screens in 2026. The show will re-imagine J.K. Rowling’s iconic books with a fresh cast and is likely to run for a decade.
John Lithgow as Dumbledore?
As reported by Deadline, six-time Emmy-winning actor John Lithgow is near finalizing the role of Professor Albus Dumbledore. The character of ‘Dumbledore’ was the wise and mighty headmaster of Hogwarts. But HBO has neither confirmed nor debunked the casting.
In response to questions, the network said, “We appreciate that such a high-profile series will attract a lot of rumor and speculation. As we navigate through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we close deals.”
The reboot, produced by writer and showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director-executive producer Mark Mylod, will retell the entire story of all seven books with a new approach. Each season will reportedly be based on one book, which will give rise to a seven-season-long narrative over close to a decade.
Wizarding World Era
HBO’s ‘Harry Potter’ reboot seeks to bring the wizarding world of Hogwarts to a new generation of viewers. The book series by J.K. Rowling was first released in 1997 with ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.’ It went on to sell more than 600 million copies across the globe. It became the highest-selling book series of all time.
Warner Bros once adapted the books into an eight-movie franchise, released from 2001 to 2011, which collectively earned $7.7 billion at the box office. The movies catapulted the careers of Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint, and iconic actors Richard Harris and Michael Gambon portrayed Dumbledore in various installments.
If true, John Lithgow’s casting would be a new direction for the acting of one of the most beloved characters from the ‘Harry Potter’ universe. Fans patiently wait for confirmed news as HBO completes its casting for the ambitious series.
