Summary
One of the biggest challenges that HBO’sHarry Potterwill have to overcome is the comparisons to the movie series. This will happen with everything from the score to the set, the storylines, and, most importantly, the characters themselves.
Harry Potterfans have already started doing this with the confirmed actors, wondering how they will look and sound. One of the hottest topics has been Nick Frost’s casting as the beloved Rubeus Hagrid, with fans wondering how he will compare to Robbie Coltrane’s iconic performance.
Nick Frost Has Revealed How His Version Of Rubeus Hagrid Will Appear In Harry Potter
HBO Is Set To Have A Slightly Different Take On The Hogwarts Gamekeeper
HBO casting Frost in the role of Hagridwas something that a lot of people were excited about, as he’s well known for being a lovable actor who often falls into the role of playing the bigger guy in a film who delivers humor and heart. That’s precisely what Coltrane did during theHarry Pottermovies, and it helped what could’ve been an intimidating and scary character become beloved by audiences worldwide. However, the way that Frost portrays it will be different, which is expected. Audiences know that each new actor will bring a fresh take to their favorite characters, and that’s something that HBO’s version ofHarry Potterwill be relying upon to ensure that the show is worth existing, as a carbon copy wouldn’t be entertaining.
However, Frost recently revealed just how different his version of Hagrid will be an interesting one. He spoke toColliderand clarified that hedoesn’t want to try and replicate Coltrane,although he thought his performance was amazing. However, when describing how he views Hagrid, Frost used one word that has sent alarm bells ringing among fans.
I’m going to try and do something, not ‘different,’ I think you have to be respectful to the subject matter, but within that, there’s scope for minutia. I always read Hagrid as he’s like a lovely, lost, violent, funny, warm child. I think the beauty of being able to do a book a season means I get to explore that a lot more, and I can’t wait. He’s funny! I want it to be funny and cheeky and scared and protective and childlike. That’s what I’m planning on doing."
HBO’s Harry Potter Might Showcase A More Violent Version Of Hagrid
The idea of Hagrid being violent is something that has surprised a lot ofHarry Potterfans because that isn’t really how he’s portrayed within the story itself.The Golden Trio trusts Hagrid almost instantly because he doesn’t have a bad bone in his body. Hagrid was never shown to be violent in the movies, outside of giving Dudley Dursley a pig’s tail when he’s first introduced, but that’s something most people find to be comedic due to Dudley’s bullying tactics. When it comes to Hagrid being violent, it’s hard to pinpoint where Frost has seen that and how he intends to implement itinto the HBO adaptation.
That’s a type of behavior that Hagrid doesn’t showin theHarry Pottermovies, so if HBO does want to make sure they are different, then this would tick that box. However, simply doing that for the sake of it seems like a significant risk for a character as beloved as Hagrid. Audiences will be tuning in, expecting Hagrid to provide plenty of humor and sound advice to those who want it. The idea seems like it’s better on paper than in potential execution, as Hagrid becoming violent might turn him into someone who audiences don’t like or feel safe watching, and that would be a huge mistake. The bond between him and Harry, in particular, is such a special one that potentially ruining it would be a shame.
Harry Potter Fans Might Not Want To See Hagrid In A Violent Mode
Nick Frost Will Have To Find A Strong Balance To Make The HBO Version Work
The decision to potentially showcase a more violent side of Hagrid is something that newHarry Potterfans want to witness. He’s supposed to be a giant with a heart of gold, which is why Albus Dumbledore has so much faith in him and why he keeps him around at Hogwarts. It could be easy to make him violent due to his size, but given thatHagrid cannot perform magic, it will be tough for Frost to convey that or find ways of tapping into the violence he seems to see in him. That might negatively impact the show if he’s trying to shoehorn something into the series, and this beloved character doesn’t really fit.
The only time it would feel natural to turn Hagrid violent would be in the Battle of Hogwarts, simply due to what’s on the line in that moment. However, outside of that,Harry Potterfanswant Hagrid to be the warm, understanding, and slight comedic relief. His scenes with Harry tend to feel like a warm hug, even during difficult moments for him, and that’s something that rubs off onto the audience without anything needing to be said. That’s the type of magic people want Frost to bring to the table, and even though he does have to put a fresh twist on it, the idea of Hagrid being violent in HBO’sHarry Potterfeels like a left-field swing that could jeopardize the character.
