“I Ended Up Playing Him Because I Didn’t Want To.” Harry Potter Actor Tried to Sabotage His Audition, but It Backfired on Him

As a dedicated Harry Potter fan and follower of Jason Isaacs’ career, I can’t help but be fascinated by the unexpected turn of events that led him to play Lucius Malfoy in the iconic film series. In an interview commemorating the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter, Isaacs shared his unique audition experience.


It’s challenging to picture Lucius Malfoy or Jason Isaacs taking on different roles within the Harry Potter series. Despite this, during auditions, he tried out for a completely new part with no interest in portraying a Death Eater. In fact, when asked to read Lucius’ lines, Isaacs even attempted to undermine his own chances for the part.

In a special program commemorating Harry Potter’s 20th anniversary titled “Harry Potter: Return to Hogwarts,” the actor shared an intriguing revelation. He disclosed that he had tried out for the part of Gilderoy Lockhart, which eventually went to Kenneth Branagh in the movies. Contrastingly, Isaacs was a great fit for Malfoy, and as it turns out, Chris Columbus recognized this potential too.

As a gamer, I found myself inexplicably drawn to Lucius despite my initial reluctance. During the auditions, I gave it my all for Gilderoy Lockhart’s role. But Chris, with a friendly smile, suggested I try out for another character instead.

As a gamer, I, Isaacs, had been given the part of Captain Hook in our production, but I wasn’t eager to embody another antagonist from a kids’ story. To avoid it, I attempted to derail my casting. However, I didn’t realize that this move would make me an ideal fit for Lucius instead.

Instead of pondering, “I was set to portray Captain Hook in ‘Peter Pan,’ but I didn’t fancy acting out two children’s antagonists. And with clenched teeth, I read on, feeling deeply resentful. Naturally, that’s what they wanted, and they requested I play Lucius. I’m grateful for the change.”

Jason Isaacs was initially hesitant but now expresses contentment with taking on the part of Lucius, a character he brought to life in the “Harry Potter” series. Lucius, who was a Death Eater striving for recognition under Lord Voldemort, became a standout performance for the skilled actor.

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2024-07-29 21:02