J.K. Rowling’s Bizarre Rule Robbed Fans of Epic Robin Williams Performance in Harry Potter That Actor Was Desperate to Get
Robin Williams gave many iconic roles in his life, but in a world where we can’t have it all, there were several roles we could have seen him as but didn’t. One of those missed opportunities was featuring in the Harry Potter films. Seeing one of the greatest actors of the generation, in what is arguably the most popular film franchise in the world, would have been a delight. But J.K. Rowling’s bizarre rule deprived the audiences of this experience.
JK Rowling’s Rule: What’s It About?
This one rule of JK Rowling robbed Robin Williams from being a part of the Harry Potter movies.
For many who don’t know, when the adaptation process of the Harry Potter books began, Rowling put one condition in front of the studio. The world-renowned author said that there would only be British actors cast in the films. This rule, which in time proved to be a vital decision for the growth of the UK film industry, prevented Williams from being part of the films.
It’s a shame that he didn’t get the part, as the actor could have brought his charisma and a lot of energy to the role. He was, after all, the master of improv and physical comedy, and he would have been the perfect fit for the magical and quirky world of the Harry Potter series.
Robin Williams Badly Wanted to be in Harry Potter
Harry Potter is one of the biggest franchises the world has known, and many actors, including Williams, wanted to be a part of it.
Like pretty much everyone, Robin Williams was a big fan of the Harry Potter books. He was quite eager to play the part in the films. At the beginning of casting for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Williams expressed his interest in playing the role of Hagrid, the Hogwarts groundskeeper.
Even Director Chris Columbus thought Williams fit for the part, but Williams couldn’t get the role as the creative team looked only for British actors.
This wasn’t the end of Williams’s attempts. The Good Will Hunting star tried reaching out to play the role of the Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor Remus Lupin in Prisoner of Azkaban. Lupin and John Keating, Williams’s character in Dead Poets Society, share a whole lot of things in common. Not that anyone would doubt the late actor’s skills but his role as Keating left an indelible mark on the audience, and seeing him play something similar would have been just as amazing.
But he was sadly turned down again for the previous reason.
Hagrid was eventually brought to life by Robbie Coltrane, and Lupin’s role was taken by David Thewlis.
Williams once even met Rowling to discuss any possibility of him getting cast in the films. If Rowling had maintained flexibility with the rule, Williams could have been the madcap professor, the mischievous goblin, or even the powerful wizard. It’s a shame that we can never know about it for sure.
Read More: Kate Winslet Turned Down Daniel Radcliffe’s Harry Potter Franchise for the Stupidest Reason Ever
Source: People
