The news that Brett Goldstein may take on the role of Hagrid in HBO’sHarry Potteris definitely exciting, yet some viewers may already be wondering how the actor will become the beloved half-giant. Back in 2023, Warner Bros. revealed that they would be developingaHarry PotterTV show alongside HBO. There is plenty to look forward to with this series, which will give every book its own season, yet there are a lot of obstacles to overcome too. For one,the show must work hard to make its cast look and feel like the original characters.
Although HBO’sHarry Potteris still a long way off,Deadlinerecently reported whichactors are being eyed for certainHarry Potterroles. One rumor is that Goldstein may be cast as Hagrid. There is little doubt thatGoldstein is a talented performer who can toe the line between comedy and drama, yet the actor is a far cry from looking like a half giant. In this way, Goldstein’s appearance will have to change drastically if he is going to play this character.Harry Pottercan and should make changes, but Hagrid’s physicality is one detail that should remain the same.
The Penguin & LOTR Reveal How Harry Potter Can Transform Brett Goldstein Into Hagrid
How Prosthetics Made The Penguin & LOTR Better
Those who are concerned about Goldstein looking more like Hagrid should not be too afraid, becauseprevious franchises likeThe PenguinandLord of the Ringshave already proven that they can turn regular actors into irregular characters. For one, Colin Farrell underwent massivephysical changes via prosthetic makeup to play Oz CobbinThe Penguin.The actor, who is generally quite thin and handsome, was given a much heavier and broader stature, alongside prosthetics that widened his face and made him nearly unrecognizable. John Rhys Davies faced similar changes when he played Gimli inLOTR.
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Ultimately, these prosthetics made their respective projects so much better. Although Farrell is a talented actor, a lot of the magic of Cobb comes from his physical appearance. His character hinges on the fact that he looks different from other people. Thus, Farrell’s physical changes helped cement his character as much as his vocal changes and body language. On top of that,the fact that Farrell did not look like himself made it even easier for audiences to become attached to Oz, as he felt more like a real person rather than an actor playing a part.
Prosthetic Makeup Can Be Used To Make Brett Goldstein Look More Like Hagrid
Why Hagrid’s Actor Needs Prosthetic Makeup
Considering the success ofThe PenguinandLOTR’sprosthetics,it only makes sense that Goldstein would undergo the same process if he were to play Hagrid. Goldstein is already fairly tall and broad, but prosthetic make-up could make him even taller and larger. Furthermore, he could receive the same long hair and beard extensions as Robbie Coltrane had throughout the originalHarry Pottermovies. Although this transformation would likely take a few hours in the makeup chair, it is necessary for Hagrid to truly feel like the character audiences know and love.
Like Oz inThe Penguin,Hagrid’s appearance is something that affects how his peers see him, and so his physicality needs to be strong if he’s going to come alive on-screen.
HBO’sHarry Potterhas the power to rework certain elements of the story, but there are aspects that should remain the same, and Hagrid’s appearance is one of them. Mainly, this is because Hagrid is not just a regular wizard. In the story,Hagrid is a half-giant, and this plays heavily into his storyline. Hagrid’s half-blood status makes him something of an outcast, even to people at Hogwarts. Like Oz inThe Penguin,Hagrid’s big appearanceis something that affects how his peers see him, and so his physicality needs to be strong if he’s going to come alive on-screen.
The Penguin’s CGI Suit Can Further Capture Hagrid’s Harry Potter Look
The Importance Of Hagrid’s Size
There are two major elements to nailing Hagrid’s look, and one of those is his weight. As a half-giant,Hagrid would have to be very broad and heavy. While many actors gain or lose weight for roles,Harry Potterwill be such a long-running show that this would not be healthy for the actor. Fortunately,The Penguinhas shown that there is another avenue for actors who must be a different weight, and that is CGI fat suits. With a mix of prosthetics and post-production technology, Goldstein can go from slim to heavy in no time.
Albus Dumbledore
Mark Rylance, Mark Strong
Once again, it is possible for HBO’sHarry Potterto redefine Hagrid’s look, but this would likely do more harm than good. The essence of Hagrid is that he is an intimidating presence who ends up being a big teddy bear. It is not just his height that affects this, but also his weight.Hagrid must be an overwhelming physical presence so that his sweet attitude comes acrosseven more acutely. Now that adding weight to actors is easier, a laThe Penguin,there is no reason why HBO could not do the same for whoever ends up playing Hagrid.
The Lord Of The Rings' Gimli Tactics Show How The Remake Can Nail Hagrid’s Size
Harry Potter’s Prosthetics Are Part Of The Magic
Hagrid’s height is the second big element of his physical transformation, andLord of the Ringsproved many years ago that an actor’s height does not have to be an issue. Davies, who played Gimli, is a generally tall person, but he was made to look much shorter for theLOTRmovies. The opposite can surely be done for Hagrid, as he must tower over everyone else at Hogwarts. In fact, theHarry Pottermovies already did this, as Coltrane was only 6'1, but was made to look much taller. Thus, this should be no issue for Goldstein.
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Overall, prosthetics are a time-consuming art, but they can make a fantasy world feel so much more real. Whether it isLord of the RingsorThe Penguin,a project is made infinitely better when time and effort is committed to making an actor truly feel like their character. Goldstein has definitely proven his acting chops, so the only thing left is to make him look like Hagrid. Though it may seem like a sharp transformation, audiences should have faith thatHarry Potterwill put plenty of work into making these new looks as seamless and realistic as possible.
Harry Potter
Cast
Harry Potter is HBO’s remake of the iconic Wizarding World film series that consisted of eight films between 2001 and 2011. Each season adapts a book from JK Rowling’s popular series and provides more book-accurate details than the movies did.
