New AI Harry Potter images take some characters castings that almost happened and turn them into a reality. Based on the beloved novels by controversial author J.K. Rowling, the first Harry Potter movie was released in 2001, introducing audiences to Daniel Radcliffe’s Harry, Rupert Grint’s Ron, and Emma Watson’s Hermione. The three heroes and a host of memorable supporting characters would return for seven subsequent sequels, concluding the story in 2011.
Now, AI-generated art shared by No apto para Muggles on Instagram imagines what key Harry Potter characters would look like if they were instead played actors who were considered but, for one reason or another, didn’t end up getting the parts. Check out the art below:
The art imagines some interesting casting deviations, including Liam Aiken as Harry, Henry Cavill as Cedric, Tim Roth as Snape, Robin Williams as Hagrid, and Ian McKellen as Dumbledore.
The Harry Potter Cast Is One Of Its Greatest Strengths
While it’s interesting to imagine alternate castings for all the Harry Potter characters, it’s fair to say that the cast that ultimately ended up on screen was the best choice. The magical world that Rowling created in her novels was a big reason why her story became so popular, but so too, of course, were the characters.
Director Chris Columbus evidently had a monumental task when it came to casting Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in 2001, and many of his choices would go on to shape the entire rest of the franchise. Radcliffe, Grint, and Watson would grow alongside their characters over the course of the eight movies, truly becoming synonymous with the roles. Even now, more than 10 years after the release of Harry Potter and the Dealthy Hallows – Part 2, the three actors are still mostly best known for playing Harry, Ron and Hermione.
In addition to the three leads, some of the most memorable characters from Harry Potter are supporting characters. Richard Harris’ and Michael Gambon’s Dumbledores, Alan Rickman’s Snape, Tom Felton’s Malfoy, Robbie Coltrane’s Hagrid, and Ralph Fiennes’ Voldemort, among others, help to make the franchise what it is and are ultimately key ingredients to the overall effectiveness of the epic tale.
