When Alan Cumming told Harry Potter producers to “f*** off”
Alan Cumming (Spy Kids, The Good Wife) didn’t just reject a role in 2002’s Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. He told the producers to “f*** off”, which has a slightly different ring to it. The actor opened up about why he didn’t end up in the role of Professor Gilderoy Lockhart (a role that ultimately went to Kenneth Branagh) in a new interview with The Telegraph, just as the first Harry Potter movie celebrates its 20th anniversary.
It turns out that Cumming didn’t turn the movie down out of lack of interest. He would have joined the franchise if not for the way producers pitched it to him. “They wanted me and Rupert Everett to do a screen test, and they said they couldn’t pay me more than a certain sum, they just didn’t have any more money in the budget. And I had the same agent as Rupert, who, of course, they were going to pay more. Blatantly lying, stupidly lying, as well. Like, if you’re going to lie, be clever about it,” he recalled.
“I didn’t turn it down,” Cumming continued. “I told them to f— off!”
Kenneth Branagh “came out of the shadows” to get role in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
With all of the competition to land roles in the budding Harry Potter franchise, it’s not surprising that there were actors lining up to appear in the first movie, but Cumming reveals that even he was caught off guard by what happened next.
"I said, tell them to f— right off. And thought, well Rupert’s going to get the part. They made him screen test, and I remember he brought his own wig. And then they f—ing gave it to Kenneth Branagh, came out of the shadows."
Incidentally, Hugh Grant was offered the role as well, but he declined due to scheduling conflicts.
Though Cumming would have been a great addition to the Harry Potter franchise, it sounds like he made the right call. But now that the Harry Potter tea is starting to spill, let’s keep it flowing.
Next. All the actors in House of the Dragon and who they're playing. dark
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