It seems the long-awaited HBO adaptation of ‘Harry Potter‘ series is conjuring up some serious star power. According to inside sources, Mark Rylance is at the top of the wishlist to play the iconic Albus Dumbledore.
Since Warner Bros has yet to officially go into negotiations, they have reportedly reached out to sound out Rylance’s interest. Are we finally going to see the ‘Wolf Hall‘ actor sporting the half-moon spectacles? Time will only tell. But here’s what he has said about it meanwhile.
Why Mark Rylance Is The Perfect Fit To Play Dumbledore?
Popular for his role as Thomas Cromwell in BBC‘s ‘Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light‘, Mark Rylance seems to be the perfect fit to carry forward the legacy of the iconic headmaster at Hogwarts. After all, he is not alien to complex layered characters, and putting on Dumbledore’s robes would be a fitting challenge to pose to the 64-year-old actor.
So far, Rylance’s camp hasn’t said anything yet, but HBO is playing its cards pretty close to its chest too, telling Variety. “As we make our way through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we finalize deals.”
Related: Here’s What Maggie Smith Hated About Her ‘Harry Potter’ Character
Warner Bros. isn’t being coy though in building the cast for this reboot. While the three leads Harry, Hermione, and Ron are likely to be played by newcomers, casting calls for kids aged 9 to 11 are already open. It can be expected that the adult cast will comprise some of the U.K.’s finest actors, as it did with the originals.
Of course, some big shoes will need to be filled for the roles of some phenomenal ‘Harry Potter’ alums like Richard Harris, Maggie Smith, and Alan Rickman. But many are sure that if anyone can do it, it’s Rylance, whose acting chops have earned him an Oscar, BAFTAs, and a Tony.
Mark Rylance Has Big Shoes To Fill For The Role Of Dumbledore
For Mark Rylance, portraying Dumbledore will come with its own special stresses. Richard Harris was actually the first actor ever to play the venerable headmaster of Hogwarts, and he famously turned down the role three times before it was finally pitched to him by his own granddaughter. He only appeared in two films as Dumbledore before he died, after which Michael Gambon took up the mantle.
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If Warner Bros. is indeed looking for a seven-season run, then they should get actors who are not only the right age but willing to commit to a long-term project. Rylance is 64, which makes him close in age to Maggie Smith when the latter started filming, so it isn’t out of the question that he could go for the long haul.
With HBO promising a more “in-depth” take on the ‘Harry Potter‘ books, and a 2026 premiere date on the horizon, fans are already buzzing with excitement. Could Mark Rylance be our next Dumbledore? Only time – and a bit of magic, one hopes – will tell.
