Steven Spielberg Helped Cast McGonagall, Dumbledore and Hagrid

Before Chris Columbus took the helm, J.K. Rowling favored Steven Spielberg to direct the first Harry Potter film, and he was involved in casting three of the franchise’s most iconic adult characters. Spielberg told the Happy Sad Confused podcast that he briefly developed the project with writer Steve Kloves and suggested Maggie Smith, Richard Harris and Robbie Coltrane for McGonagall, Dumbledore and Hagrid respectively.

He said he had just worked with Smith on Hook, that Harris was a longtime friend, and that he ultimately stepped away from the film for personal reasons, after which Chris Columbus directed the first two movies. Those casting choices endured: Harris played Dumbledore in the first two films before his death in 2002, with Michael Gambon taking over the role; Smith remained McGonagall throughout the series; and Coltrane portrayed Hagrid from beginning to end.

The original Sorcerer’s Stone cast also included Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint and Alan Rickman.

steven spielberg, chris columbus, jk rowling, steve kloves, maggie smith, richard harris, robbie coltrane, dumbledore, mcgonagall, hagrid