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No one could play Horace Slughorn like you could... No one's going to...

Published at:  Sep 17, 2007 7:02:27 PM CDT

Ahoy, squirts! Quint here. I think one of the Potter fansites broke the casting of Horace Slughorn for HALF-BLOOD PRINCE yesterday and today Garth over at Dark Horizons confirmed it with the actor himself.

Jim Broadbent will play the new teacher (Potions teacher to be specific... definitely not defense against the dark arts... who would think that? Not me...). I think that casting is pretty phenomenal. Aside from James Lipton's non-existent British twin there's no one I can think of better for the role. What do you guys think?




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    Readers Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 5:14:50 PM CDT

    First!

    by zandunga

  • Sep 17, 2007 5:15:15 PM CDT

    I hate

    by quin the eskimo

    the letter Z

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 5:18:43 PM CDT

    um...dear quint...

    by blackthought

    horace is the new potions master...snape is the the dark arts teacher.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 5:21:03 PM CDT

    It Was About Time...

    by thebladehelm

    ...For the distinguished Mr. Broadbent to show up in the Potterverse. If only the powers that be could get it right like this all the time.I may start a fire here, but Harry Potter has set the bar high for good casting choices, maybe the highest ever in the history of movies for book adaptations.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 5:24:06 PM CDT

    Was anyone else underwhelmed by the last one?

    by odysseus

    I thought Order of the Phoenix was pretty uninspired.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 5:27:10 PM CDT

    Better idea

    by yumyum

    I was positive they would cast Bob Hoskins. In fact, thats who I always pictured when I was reading it.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 5:32:55 PM CDT

    Excellent Choice

    by blockbusterwhore

    I actually was picturing Ian Holm when I read the book, but Jim Broadbent is actually a better choice. And I agree that the overall casting for these films has been pretty fantastic.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 5:33:28 PM CDT

    Not bad

    by bloo

    but frankly I would have prefered Brian Blessed in this...I think Broadbent, Hoskins, Blessed, and Cox are about the only "great" British Char. actors to not appear in HP universe

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 5:38:57 PM CDT

    Slughorn is POTIONS

    by and nicolas cage as fu manchu

    FUCK!!!!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 5:39:15 PM CDT

    well that frees up Cox

    by holodigm

    to play Scrimgeour. i won't accept anyone else.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 5:43:43 PM CDT

    Tch tch, you guys are SPOILING the movie

    by chrth

    You're supposed to think Slughorn is the Dark Arts professor, but then JKR throws us the Potions curveball. Quint was playing his part correctly.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 5:44:46 PM CDT

    @Holodigm: so, you only accept cox?

    by ravex

    sorry, had to...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 5:49:04 PM CDT

    same here, yumyum...

    by keysersoze

    i pictured Bob Hoskins in the role of Slughorn when i read the book. now, as for Scrimgeour, i absolutely, 100% could picture no one but Bill Nighy. he'd be absolutely perfect as Scrimgeour.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 5:49:26 PM CDT

    It's not a weiner if it doesn't say cox

    by quin the eskimo

  • Sep 17, 2007 5:51:47 PM CDT

    Good Casting

    by skibum

    I also pictured Bob Hoskins as Slughorn, but Broadbent will be brilliant. Hoskins should play Mundungus Fletcher.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 5:52:20 PM CDT

    Cox

    by gunslinger1919

    I can't get enough of cox...keep giving me cox...cox is the best thing on the face of this earth...KEEP THE COX COMING!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 5:54:26 PM CDT

    Bob Hoskins

    by mista mann

    I can't take credit for that suggestion, I heard it on a podcast. But doesn't it just fit? Anyway, I at least thought Slughorn was more rotund and shorter. Really, I'm fine with the choice because it is just Slughorn. Having finally sat down and read all of the books after falling in love with the Order of the Phoenix movie, it's weird being on the knowing side of HP movie news.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 5:55:07 PM CDT

    hey folks, - filming the teaser for my pilot.

    by headgeek

    and I'm supposed to just keep typing, decided to just post a nonesense talkback, that would probably read as something significant, but that's just a bunch of horse poo. God, I wish they'd call cut, this needs to end. He wants me to keep typing, earlier they were stuffing Jelly donuts down my throat - this is sickening. Make it stop. I don't want to type anymore. Thank god. Bye.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 5:55:33 PM CDT

    I always picture Wilford Brimley

    by cranstons

    but not with a British accent. But Broadbent is a great choice.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 5:56:34 PM CDT

    Whoops

    by mista mann

    Guess I should read everyone else first. Sounds like Bob really was the one. I had heard he had asked when he was going to get a part, sad if that's true and he couldn't be Slughorn.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 5:56:53 PM CDT

    ladies and gentlemen...

    by keysersoze

    Harry Knowles.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 5:57:06 PM CDT

    what I mean is

    by cranstons

    Wilford Brimley, but WITH a British accent. Sheesh.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 5:59:15 PM CDT

    Brimley, eh?

    by keysersoze

    Hi folks, I'm Horace Slughorn, and I suffer from diabetes. Probably because I don't eat enough of my Quaker oatmeal.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 6:06:04 PM CDT

    Sounds Great

    by spaced_and_confused

    Broadbent rocks, but I have to admit, I had my heart and hopes set on Bob Hoskins

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 6:07:32 PM CDT

    If only Richard Riehle was British

    by rumpel tumskin

    When I read the books, I always pictured him in my mind, he has the rolly polly look and quite an awesome mustache most of the time. I still vote for Bob Hoskins. He would do a fantastic job.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 6:16:04 PM CDT

    The best choice has already been used....

    by guccichild

    When I read the books, I always imagine Slughorn as Richard Griffiths, but as he's already Uncle Vernon that idea's buggered.
    What about Ian McKellen, he's one of the few big name british actors not used in the series. Maybe Ricky Tomlinson as a left field choice...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 6:30:15 PM CDT

    O'Toole

    by relden10

    Broadbent's a good choice, but I remember watching Peter O'Toole do some of the press for Venus and talking about the old days and the people he worked with, and thinking that he might not look the part, but he'd make a pretty cool Slughorn.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 6:35:52 PM CDT

    Bob Hoskins.

    by obsd

    That is all.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 6:35:58 PM CDT

    I'm filming a pilot for my teaser...

    by gilderoy

    That's all.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 6:40:53 PM CDT

    Bill Nighy

    by barry egan

    I want him to be in one of these. Maybe in the 7th as Dumbledore's brother??

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 6:43:54 PM CDT

    RICKY GERVAIS! Shit.

    by all

  • Sep 17, 2007 6:45:11 PM CDT

    I guess

    by cherryvalance

    I love Jim Broadbent but he's not at all how I pictured Slughorn. But off the top of my head I can't think of anyone who is. Of the aforementioned names, Brian Blessed would be the closest. But yeah I didn't like the Order of the Phoenix movie either and I loved the book.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 6:52:19 PM CDT

    ricky Gervis

    by bloo

    while should be in these movies, I can't picture as WHO? Maybe as the adult Neville?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 6:52:55 PM CDT

    i'm tellin ya, Nighy would be great as...

    by keysersoze

    Rufus Scrimgeour. i mean, really...it'd be perfect casting.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 7:02:40 PM CDT

    Called it!

    by wyld stallyns rules

    Months ago, on one of the OOTP talkbacks. AMAZING!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 7:14:22 PM CDT

    It's ALWAYS Broadbent

    by y2ames

    and it's ALWAYS brilliant casting. Is anyone not tired of this yet?
    Give it a rest.

    It should have been Hoskins, end of story.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 7:18:01 PM CDT

    Ian McNiece would have been better

    by gorrister

    Of course, I always pictured Slughorn as more of the Peter Ustinov type, but since he's dead, it would be kinda difficult for him to play the part.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 7:28:09 PM CDT

    Nighy for Fenrir!!!

    by cameron1

    Think about it. And whoever sad Richard Griffiths is 100% dead on. It is a damn shame he's Vernon.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 7:34:07 PM CDT

    Robert Jordon is dead

    by rokurgepta

  • Sep 17, 2007 7:34:53 PM CDT

    NEEDS TO BE FATTER!!!

    by tallboy66

    Slughorn I've always pictured, like, orca fat. Like all he does is consume. This guy looks a tad slender. Needs more chunk.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 7:48:06 PM CDT

    Ian McKellen for Aberforth!

    by freakemovie

    Yeah, we're still like three years away from that casting, I know. But Ian McKellen would be way cool as Aberforth. Brian Cox would be cool as anyone, although I didn't picture Scrimgeour like him at all. Broadbent's a good choice for Slughorn. The only problem is that the character has a huge part in Half-Blood Prince, a tiny part in Deathly Hallows, and really has no bearing on the plot of either whatsoever. In fact Half-Blood Prince doesn't have much of a plot at all, it's basically a way for Rowling to unload all the Voldemort backstory before Book 7.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 7:48:45 PM CDT

    Ian McKellen for Aberforth!

    by freakemovie

    Yeah, we're still like three years away from that casting, I know. But Ian McKellen would be way cool as Aberforth. Brian Cox would be cool as anyone, although I didn't picture Scrimgeour like him at all. Broadbent's a good choice for Slughorn. The only problem is that the character has a huge part in Half-Blood Prince, a tiny part in Deathly Hallows, and really has no bearing on the plot of either whatsoever. In fact Half-Blood Prince doesn't have much of a plot at all, it's basically a way for Rowling to unload all the Voldemort backstory before Book 7.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 7:48:58 PM CDT

    Looks good...

    by theghostwholurks

    As long as the guy's corpulent, I'm satisfied.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 8:03:47 PM CDT

    Harry

    by badmrwonka

    I was AD on a short film a while back and I had to stand in as a "student" and type forEVER in a scene. my solution was to find a game to play on the computer that used keys for movement. pinball maybe? good luck with the shoot!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 8:13:50 PM CDT

    Your Zidler shout out

    by the ref

    made me nerdjaculate.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 8:13:56 PM CDT

    I never read the entire book, but...

    by anna valerious

    I still think Broadbent would be great as Vice Principal Nero from "A Series of Unfortunate Events". He certainly has the volume. XD

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 8:14:03 PM CDT

    Kurzinski Valentine

    by zacdilone

    And your point is?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 8:24:28 PM CDT

    Hoskins

    by doolittle

    I'm happy with this choice but I was rooting for Hoskins for quite a while as well. He'd wanted to be in a HP movie but it's not looking as if he's going to get much of a chance.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 8:51:22 PM CDT

    Yeah, Bob Hoskins

    by a2thamizzo

    That's what I was thinking. He's definitely shorter than Broadbent and IMHO physically matches the description Rowling gives. Actually, both of them are in Brazil (Hoskins = short central services guy, Broadbent = the Doctor ("snip snip... slice slice...")) Broadbent will be good, probably awesome in fact, but to me Hoskins would fit the part to a T.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 9:02:30 PM CDT

    Was hoping for Brian Blessed or Tim Curry

    by drath

    But you know Slughorn is the kind of role any actor would have fun slipping right into. I am surprised this wasn't the role for Bob Hoskins. If he doesn't play Dumbledore's brother in the next one I'll be really surprised. Ian McKellen is who I would have cast as Mad Eye (I saw him as tall, not fat, when it comes to his being big, and I consider Moody the biggest miscast of the series). But I could also see him as Gaunt, Voldemort's grandaddy. Not that it's a big enough role for him, and not that it isn't screaming for Christopher Lee to play it too. Oh well, I should really stop giving a shit, they clearly don't know that I should be casting these movies instead of them, right? Right? Hello?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 9:22:09 PM CDT

    Oh good news!

    by buffywrestling

    re: Broadbent as Slughorn. My "vote" also goes to Nighy as Scrimgeour. Aberforth I'm still on the fence about. For Fenir Greyback, what about Terrence Stamp? He is someone menacing...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 9:41:41 PM CDT

    Wasn't there someone already playing Aberforth?

    by rando calrisian

    Wasn't Aberforth in the Order of the Phoenix movie?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 9:45:49 PM CDT

    Terance MOFO Stamp

    by bloo

    as Fenier that is some downright brillent casting right there, however I get the feeling that Greyback will probably either be not in the movie or a very small bit part that they'll give to some non "big name"

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 10:01:17 PM CDT

    Too bad they never got Kate Winslet in this series

    by osmosis jones

    She would have been perfect for Tonks.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 11:18:24 PM CDT

    A GREAT BIG BUSHY BEARD!!

    by deaddovedontoeat

    I am looking forward to this casting, I would definitely vote yes for bill nighy for aberforth. Whee!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 17, 2007 11:40:35 PM CDT

    Tonks is the sex

    by dogsoup

    Horace Slughorn feels up students at parties. Ginny told me. Slug Club indeed.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 18, 2007 12:25:28 AM CDT

    engage

    by jedimindflayer

    i always saw patrick stewart as scrimgeour... something about vocal inflections on the page made me see picard; christopher lee or mckellen would work too, i guess. now, lets hear it for ricky gervais for alecto (the brother; i think alecto was the brother)!!!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 18, 2007 1:16:26 AM CDT

    A Pity, Could Have Been Less Predictable *BK 7 FACT*

    by karnaan

    Brian blessed was always how I pictured Slughorn, obviously smaller but there are ways to work that. I always saw him as the booming voiced and boastful character that Blessed plays so well. A great Pity,

    Oh and Aberforth is already there... listed on IMDB...

    He is after all the bar tender at the hogs head, he had the goat and everything, noticed him second time around. Looks pretty raggidy, they could go with someone else for him but I imagine he is one of the things that J.K. told them to include for the sake of Deathly Hallows.

    I would love to see Nighy take a twisted stab at Grayback and I would truly love to see Liam Neeson given the mutton chops and a bit of a greying for Scrimgeour, it would be cool.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 18, 2007 2:00:10 AM CDT

    I think Nighy's too old for

    by deaddovedontoeat

    I think Nighy's too old for greyback, he's brilliant and menacing and all but he does'nt evoke the brute terror I want for such a cutthroat character.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 18, 2007 3:45:46 AM CDT

    Harry...

    by spud mcspud

    When are you going to get your techheads over there to fix this damn Login problem? Every fucking time I try to long in it stops me! Except maybe once every three or four DAYS. Jesus. This site used to fucking work!

    Other than that, Broadbent is pretty perfect casting. As is pretty much everyone in these movies.

    Which is why Ricky Gervais should just FUCK OFF AND DIIIIIIIEEEEEEE when it comes to the Potterverse. He's far too shit to play anything in them.

    Yeah, I said it. Ricky Gervais is shit. A fat, sarcastic humourless twat plays a fat, sarcastic humourless twat for two series and he's the Second Coming of comedy (after the incomparable John Cleese, obviously). It's all bullshit. It's NOT great acting to play yourself in everything you do - Adam Sandler does it, and no-one thinks he's a comedy genius. Do they??

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 18, 2007 4:10:15 AM CDT

    I second that one from Spud

    by lost jarv

    Both things- I had to get a new ID as it wouldn't let me log in as Lost Prophet anymore. (And I wasn't banned before anyone points it out). And Gervais is not the second coming of comedy.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 18, 2007 4:11:56 AM CDT

    Can't see Liam as anyone...

    by buffywrestling

    Want too much money, him being a "lead" and all. Although, come to think of it, he has been doing smaller rolls lately.

    But consider this: It is about the "trio" after all: Harry, Ron & Hermy. The rest of them are just cameos. But they have been damn fine cameos!

    As for Gervias, nice guy but any part of casting him will still not recover my horror of the cutting of Rik Mayhal (The Young Ones, Bottom, Drop Dead Fred) as PEEVES!!! Peeves is in every fucking book and they cut him out. It's horrible. Horrible. Other than Bean (Rowan Atkinson) he is Brit comedy personified for me. And they get Kathy (Fat Lady) but not Jennifer? Come on! AbFab was a tremndous show.

    I'm ranting.

    But now that I have mention Atkinson, he should be someone. Perhaps that Slytherin painting guy in the head office, what's his name....Phineus?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 18, 2007 4:14:51 AM CDT

    Mundungus...

    by buffywrestling

    should be Begbe aka Robert Carlyle!!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 18, 2007 4:16:57 AM CDT

    Perfect! I pictured him when I read Half Blood Prince.

    by pokadoo

    Wasn't he offered a part in one of the first few films? I remember reading an interview with him not long ago. It was a smallish part & he turned it down, but said he regretted it, and hoped to be given the chance again. Can't remember who it was he was going to play. Maybe Kenneth Brannaghs part?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 18, 2007 4:23:15 AM CDT

    And does it just have to be British Actors?

    by buffywrestling

    Because I wouldn't mind seeing Charles S Dutton as Shackelbolt. Or Sam L Jackson. Or Ernie Hudson.

    (I was kidding on the last two.)

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 18, 2007 4:31:07 AM CDT

    I was kidding about Charles S Dutton

    by buffywrestling

    I became caught up in watching my new Oz dvds. Chiwetel Ejiofor (Serenity, Prisilla Queen of the Desert) should be Shacklebolt. Yes.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 18, 2007 4:34:39 AM CDT

    Who is playing Narcissa Malfoy?

    by buffywrestling

    Anyone been cast yet? Thought I read on one of these TBs that it had. But if not: Tilda Swinton?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 18, 2007 6:24:05 AM CDT

    By the By re: The "trio"

    by buffywrestling

    They are becoming fine young actors but it is obvious that they started the whole "cameo" thing as a solid base for the newbies to stand on. It's commendable. And logical.

    Like "tea time".Ï

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 18, 2007 7:54:44 AM CDT

    Patsy Kensit

    by kizeesh

    should play narcissa, she's similar enough to Helena Bonham Carter in height and build and has a scary thin face also.
    She's also played an Albino before.
    As to Slughorn I always pictured him as Richard Griffith, who I also pictured as Vernon. Slughorn is so obviously Uncle Monty from Withnail and I.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 18, 2007 9:26:39 AM CDT

    Slughorn should be an ILM creation...

    by w3bzpinn3r

    First time I read thru Halfblood Prince, for some reason, I pictured Dex's (from the "Episode II: Attack of the Clones" diner) voice when Slughorn talked.

    That being said...

    I can't wait til after all 7 movies are done, and Warner wants to milk the franchise even more, and commissions the making of 7 novel-accurate animated movies. The live movies are ok, but Harry Potter just screams to be a high quality animation series.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 18, 2007 10:38:09 AM CDT

    the evil Maharajah!

    by oisin5199

    Perfect casting! I always knew Broadbent would make it to the Potterverse. It's a Borrowers reunion with Mr. Weasley! I also think Nighy would be right at home. It's too bad they can't switch and make Nighy Dumbledore while Gambon plays Aberforth. I think they would have better suited those roles.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 18, 2007 11:01:00 AM CDT

    kizeesh

    by lost jarv

    That is so fucking crazy it is nearly genius- and the best idea I've heard so far. Top draw. Better than my shout for Deborah Kara Unger.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 18, 2007 11:51:35 AM CDT

    Naomi Watts is playing Narcissa Malfoy.

    by nice marmot

    Was reported months ago. First non-Brit I do believe.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 18, 2007 12:44:23 PM CDT

    i always imagined Brian Blessed in the role

    by newc0253

    but Broadbent will be fine too.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 18, 2007 3:20:12 PM CDT

    naomi watts

    by thekylegassproject

    i thought that whole naomi watts thing had been debunked as a rumor. whoever said tilda swinton could have something there.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 18, 2007 6:36:42 PM CDT

    Hey, Kurzinski Valentine

    by thebladehelm

    I read your short essay and have just a few questions.1. Who claimed that Harry Potter was entirely original?2. Is there something about borrowing elements from familiar stories and adapting them to a new story that you find disagreeable?3. Do you think that all movies and stories need to be 100% original to be valid?4. How do you type with your head so firmly planted in your rectum?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 18, 2007 11:00:24 PM CDT

    I second Ian Mcniece

    by stile

    But it's hard to find a much better actor than Jim Broadbent. No complaints.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 18, 2007 11:10:53 PM CDT

    Nuts

    by chook chutney

    Before the films came out, I read the books picturing Broadbent as Cornelius Fudge. So this annoys me a bit. But then, Broadbent's Broadbent, so I'm not complaining.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 19, 2007 12:49:25 AM CDT

    Potter Casting

    by blockbusterwhore

    Ricky Gervais should play Luna Lovegood's father.

    Kristin Scott Thomas as Narcissa Malfoy

    Terrance Stamp as Scrimgeour

    Ian McKellen as Aberforth Dumbledore

    Bill Nighy as Grindewald

    Liam Neeson as Fenrir Greyback...only cause I want him in the series and I don't know where else to put him anymore.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 19, 2007 3:28:09 AM CDT

    Oh wow!

    by pops freshemeyer

    When will we get the latest scoop on the Dora the Explorer movie?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 19, 2007 11:14:57 AM CDT

    Patrick Stewart in a fat suit...

    by deak the geek

    would have been good...but jim is a good actor..hope it's better than the last one...not bad..not great...just meh

    Reply to Talkback

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