John Lithgow believes it’s quite straightforward to immerse oneself in the enchanting world of Harry Potter. The actor is set to portray the beloved character Albus Dumbledore in HBO’s forthcoming television adaptation of the series, and he feels taking on such a role won’t be too challenging. Lithgow referred to Dumbledore as a “nuclear weapon,” noting that the character only appears rarely, which he thinks simplifies the task.
He admitted to being somewhat unfamiliar with the Harry Potter universe prior to securing the role, acknowledging that he was “behind others” in his knowledge of the franchise. However, he is now actively learning about the storyline.
Lithgow shared that the new interpretation of Harry Potter will focus on a single novel for each season, and he is currently halfway through the second book. He is also aware of the long-term commitment associated with this role. “The logistics can be a bit daunting,” he remarked, and he had to seriously consider the commitment, especially as he approaches his 80th birthday next year.
With seven books in the series, it’s possible that this could lead to seven seasons of the show. Lithgow expressed that if the job spans seven or eight years, it could be a wonderful opportunity for him to age as an actor, rather than repeatedly playing roles like Alzheimer’s patients and encountering emotional scenes with middle-aged characters.
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