Jason Isaacs is speaking about the new Lucius Malfoy actor in HBO’s Harry Potter series and how he expects something different!
A major question regarding HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series is how it will differ from the big-screen movies. The series appears to be more faithful to the original novels, including different takes on the characters from appearance to behavior.
The actors will face the challenge of overcoming the shadows of the big-screen stars as well. That includes Johnny Flynn, who’s been cast as Lucius Malfoy. The rocker turned actor has impressed with roles in the past, such as Albert Einstein in Genius and David Bowie in Stardust.
Flynn will have to live up to the legacy of Jason Isaacs, who memorably played Lucius in the films. The cold and arrogant Lucius was a key Death Eater, as well as helping his son Draco become such a bully.
Isaacs actually worked with Flynn in the 2021 war film Operation Mincemeat. Talking to Entertainment Weekly, Isaacs was teasingly tight-lipped on whether Flynn had approached him for advice on the role.
"If he had, I wouldn't tell anyone. I texted him, and I can say that because that's my domain to talk about. I texted because we did a film together and we were friendly. He's absolutely delightful and phenomenally talented, and I have no doubt he's going to do something completely different from what I did because I did my own thing."
This is a key part of the character and the series in how Flynn may bring his own touch to the role, just as Isaacs did.
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How Flynn will make his Lucius different
One of the famous stories of the Harry Potter movies is how Isaacs brought his own touches to the role of Lucius. Initially, the character was to have short hair and wear a suit. It was Isaacs who came up with the look of long hair and elaborate robes to showcase Lucius, thinking himself above Muggles. He also suggested the walking stick with the wand inside it.
Isaacs noted how the new Lucius might be closer to the novels without those touches and is excited for it.
“Johnny will do his own thing. Maybe he'll be more charming. I doubt that he'll look like me, because that was the look I came up with and he's far too original to want to copy anything.”
Isaacs is likely recognizing the possible backlash against the series by fans of the novels and the belief that it’s not even needed. However, he pointed out how the show will be much bigger and fresher than the films and should be judged on its own.
“They're redesigning everything from scratch. They're redesigning Hogwarts and the costumes and they're writing all these fabulous new scripts that are expanding each book into a whole season. And it'll be fab — it'll be for a new generation. It'll be their version of Harry Potter."
That last line is one fans can really appreciate, and Isaacs’ stamp of approval on Flynn taking on the part of Lucius is another sign the HBO Harry Potter show can succeed on its own.
Harry Potter movies streaming on HBO Max.