The Harry Potter Remake's Dumbledore Needs To Be More Than A "Nuclear Weapon"

John Lithgow recently described his new character, Albus Dumbledore, as a "nuclear weapon," and though this description is somewhat accurate, Harry Potterwill have to do more with the headmaster than just explosive moments. HBO's Harry Potter TV series has been heating up in recent weeks, announcing the casting of Lithgow as Dumbledore, and closing in on actors for Professor Minerva McGonagall, Severus Snape, and Hagrid. Considering how beloved Harry Potter is, each update comes with a bit of pushback from fans, and this includes Lithgow's latest interview comment.

On the Smartlesspodcast with Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett, Lithgow was asked about his casting as Dumbledore. 79-year-old Lithgow explained that, to him, Dumbledore is a "nuclear weapon" who "only goes off very, very occasionally."Because of this, Lithgow said, "...I don't think it's gonna be that hard of a job." For Harry Potter lovers, this comment may be concerning, as Dumbledore is one of the most pivotal characters in the series. Although Lithgow makes a good point about the headmaster's lack of blow ups, there is so much more to him than that.

John Lithgow Is Sort Of Right About Dumbledore, But He Needs To Be More Than A "Nuclear Weapon"

Dumbledore's Kindness Is His Biggest Strength

On one hand, Lithgow is right about Dumbledore. Some of his most memorable moments are when he is explosive, loud, and commanding. Yet, on the other hand, this happens so rarely that it almost doesn't make sense to consider them important. For the most part, Dumbledore is characterized as level-headed, calm, and in control. Arguably, this is what makes him such a notable figure in Harry's life. Where other characters are emotional, confrontational, and duplicitous, Dumbledore seems like he is always in control and always on Harry's side. He is stability in Harry's unwieldy life.

At least in the early books, Dumbledore is a character who makes Harry feel as if everything is going to be alright.

The biggest problem with Lithgow's comment is that Dumbledore's "nuclear" moments are not what define him. In reality, the headmaster's biggest strength is his kindness and his knowledge. At least in the early books, Dumbledore is a character who makes Harry feel as if everything is going to be alright. His whimsy is a reminder that the wizarding world is a mostly happy place, and his wisdom helps push Harry along on his journey. These positive qualities are even more important when considering Dumbledore's betrayal at the end: he knew Harry had to die all along.

The Harry Potter Remake Must Capture Dumbledore's Layers, Especially In Later Seasons

Dumbledore's Arc Is Incredibly Important For The Series

Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) speaks with his back to Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) in Order of the Phoenix. — Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) speaks with his back to Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) in Order of the Phoenix

Looking at Dumbledore's story arc, it is imperative that HBO and Lithgow show Dumbledore's layers. His "nuclear" scenes are important, but they won't feel nearly as important if he is absent the rest of the time. His blow ups are memorable because they are so out of character for him; they imply that he means business. In this way, HBO needs to build up Dumbledore's character in a thoughtful and intentional way. Audiences need to see Dumbledore's consistency and his whimsy before transitioning to his concern and darkness in the later seasons.

Michael Gambon holding a wand as Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

The Harry Potter Remake's New Dumbledore Plan Is More Faithful To The Books In One Key Way

John Lithgow is being eyed for the role of Dumbledore in HBO’s Harry Potter, which would make one aspect of the headmaster far more book accurate.

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Dumbledore's character development is also important because it is representative of Harry Potteras a whole. In the early books, Dumbledore is sweet and charming, symbolizing the awe-inspiring magic of the wizarding world. However, in the later books, Dumbledore becomes agitated and antsy about Voldemort's rise, cuing readers into the fact that the fun of being a wizard is now at stake. Dumbledore's subtle changes over the course of the series are not only important for Harry, but also for the audience. Dumbledore clues viewers into the severity of any given situation.

I'm Still Confident That John Lithgow Can Do Dumbledore Justice In The Harry Potter Show

Harry Potter's Writers Must Ace Dumbledore

John Lithgow smiling eerily in The Rule of Jenny Pen

Although Lithgow's Dumbledore comment wasn't ideal, there is still hope that the actor can do Dumbledore justice. HBO's Harry Potter is still in its early stages, and filming won't begin until the summer. This gives Lithgow plenty of time to do the necessary research on his character. Not to mention, Lithgow will have the chance to tweak his portrayal over the course of at least seven seasons. Lithgow is a knowledgeable and talented actor, so Dumbledore is likely in good hands.

Really, the people who are most responsible for Dumbledore's character are Harry Potter's writers. In order for Lithgow to ace the character, the writers will have to fully understand him and put him on the page. Considering that HBO is intending to make this series as accurate to the books as possible, hopes are high that they can bring Dumbledore to life in a meaningful way. At this point, Lithgow's Dumbledore is just the beginning of many months of Harry Potterdiscourse and excitement.