John Lithgow in Final Talks to Play Dumbledore in HBO's Harry Potter Series

HBO is reportedly in the final stages of negotiations with acclaimed actor John Lithgow, known for his role as Lord Farquaad in Shrek, to portray the iconic Hogwarts headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, in the much-anticipated Harry Potter reboot series.

According to Variety, Lithgow is on the verge of securing his role as Dumbledore, although HBO has not yet confirmed this casting. This news comes as a surprise, given that Variety previously reported in November that Mark Rylance was the leading candidate for the role.

A spokesperson from HBO commented on the swirling rumors, stating, "We appreciate that such a high-profile series will draw a lot of rumor and speculation. As we make our way through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we finalize deals."

John Lithgow's extensive career includes standout performances in films such as The World According to Garp, Terms of Endearment, and Footloose, as well as TV roles in Dexter and The Crown.

John Lithgow. Photo by Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty Images.

Despite various reports suggesting progress in casting, HBO has kept details tightly under wraps. The network is also currently in the process of casting the pivotal roles of Harry, Hermione, and Ron, with Paapa Essiedu reportedly set to play Severus Snape.

The series aims to maintain the tradition of featuring British talent, a decision influenced by the involvement of the original author, J.K. Rowling, who is "fairly involved" in the casting process.

Announced in April 2023, the Harry Potter show promises to be a "faithful adaptation" of the beloved novels, offering a more "in-depth" exploration of the story than what was possible in the two-hour film format. The project will be helmed by Succession producers Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod, the latter of whom also contributed to Game of Thrones.