While the “Harry Potter” series showcased a plethora of British talent, including the likes of Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson, some actors turned down roles in the franchise. Notably, Scottish actress Tilda Swinton was considered for the part of the fortune teller, Sybill Trelawney, who first appeared in “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,” often regarded as the best film in the series. However, Swinton declined the offer for a deeply personal reason.
In an interview with Scott Magazine, Swinton shared her disapproval of the franchise’s portrayal of boarding schools, having experienced them herself during her childhood. “I have a strong aversion to films like Harry Potter that romanticize such environments,” she stated. “I believe they create an unnecessarily harsh environment for children.” Consequently, Swinton chose not to join the franchise, missing out on the significant financial success it achieved. The role ultimately went to another actress, though Swinton would later have some regrets about her decision.
Tilda Swinton Should Have Passed on Harry Potter and Likewise for Doctor Strange
Marvel Studios
After forgoing a role in the “Harry Potter” series, Tilda Swinton later joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Unfortunately, her casting in “Doctor Strange” sparked considerable backlash. In the 2016 film, she portrayed the Ancient One, a significant character known for mentoring Doctor Strange (played by Benedict Cumberbatch) in his journey to becoming a wizard. The controversy arose because the character, originally depicted as a 500-year-old Asian man in the comics, was reimagined for Swinton, prompting criticism of racial representation.
The public was vocal about the whitewashing of such an important character, and years later, Swinton expressed to Variety that she should have reconsidered taking the role. “At that time, I had doubts, and I remember thinking about how the public would react to a Scottish woman portraying that character. I didn’t anticipate much resistance,” she said. Fortunately, Marvel has since made a concerted effort to consider diversity in their casting decisions. Kevin Feige acknowledged that the casting choice was misguided, making the Ancient One a point of contention in the MCU history; Swinton aims not to repeat such a misstep in the future.
