Harry Potter fans have cast the entire film if it was American and it’s amazing
Harry Potter is a staple of British culture; something that is loved across the globe and especially by Americans, who have literally sought to recreate the Wizarding World in theme parks.
It's hard to imagine anyone but Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson in the leading roles more than two decades after first seeing them in action in Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone, but some fans have banded together to do exactly that.
Through a series of votes, fans have recreated almost the entire Harry Potter cast using American actors instead of British stars; a concept that might completely change the way you think about some characters.
Advert
Find out who fans have cast below:
Sadie Sink as Ginny Weasley
Brought to life by Bonnie Wright, Ginny is Ron's younger sister, Harry's eventual love interest and the one who prompts him to discover the Chamber of Secrets.
Wright's red hair helps her fit right in with the Weasley family, and it's this factor that fans look to have drawn on as they cast Stranger Things star Sadie Sink in the role.
Unfortunately, Sink actually wasn't born when The Philosopher's Stone was released and instead arrived into the world in 2002, but she'd definitely be a good contender if she was a little bit older.
Melissa McCarthy as Molly Weasley
Dramatic but lovable, Molly Weasley is the matriarch not only of the Weasley family, but basically of the entire Harry Potter series.
She's played in the films by the icon that is Julie Walters, who absolutely smashes the role and would be very hard to replace.
But since Walters isn't American, fans have instead suggested Bridesmaids star Melissa McCarthy; a star who would undoubtedly bring some good comedy - if combined with a bit of chaos - into the Weasley household.
Gaten Matarazzo as Neville Longbottom
Going from an unfortunate young tween to a hero in a cardigan, Neville's character arc was among the best in the series and was played by Matthew Lewis.
His arc is not entirely dissimilar to that of Dustin's in Stranger Things, who stopped at nothing to protect his friends from another evil entity with no nose.
With that in mind, it's no surprise that fans have cast Matarazzo as Neville. Like Sink, he's too young to have starred in the original, but could have excelled as a more recent version of the young wizard.
Mila Kunis as Bellatrix Lastrange
Evil and with a laugh that can send a chill through your bones, Voldemort's accomplice Lastrange was played brilliantly by Helena Bonham Carter, who is no stranger to creepy characters.
As a rom-com star Kunis really has very little in common with Lastrange, but she still earned enough votes to be given the role by fans. Maybe it's down to her black hair, or maybe she has a whole dark side that most of us just don't know about?
Jack Nicholson as Mad-Eye Moody
Brendan Gleeson did an incredible job of making fans unsure of whether or not to trust Moody, bringing his shifty character into the Harry Potter world in The Goblet Of Fire.
Though his appearance in the franchise is brief, it's pretty unforgettable, so when considering who would be a good contender to replace Gleeson and adopt Moody's 'mad eye', fans opted for an icon of cinema, The Shining star Jack Nicholson.
Steve Buscemi as Argus Filch
Filch is quickly introduced in the Harry Potter series as a grouchy man who hates mischief and loves his cat. He just wants to get his job done and his grumpiness is portrayed perfectly in the movies by David Bradley, who is now 80 years old.
Bradley has starred in a range of genres throughout his career and so to replace him, fans have opted for another seasoned star in the form of Steve Buscemi, who is known for his roles in Reservoir Dogs, The Sopranos and Adam Sandler's Grown Ups.
His role in the latter might not quite fit your expectations for Filch, but Buscemi has proven he can handle anything that comes his way - even if that thing is a petrified cat.
Meryl Streep as Minerva Mcgonagall
Throughout numerous appearances in the Harry Potter films, Mcgonagall proves herself to be wise, brave, stern and yet still with a soft spot.
She's played by the wonderful Maggie Smith, who does a great job of convincing people she can turn into a cat.
Though Streep's recent appearances in the all-singing, all-dancing Mamma Mia films might make it tough to imagine her in character as a strict teacher, we can't forget she is a highly regarded dramatic actor too. Plus, maybe Mcgonagall might like to burst into song every now and again.
Adam Driver as Severus Snape
Of course, it couldn't be anyone else, could it? The late Alan Rickman will always be Snape, but if it had to be an American, Driver is the only way to go.
He already had the hair and the intense look, and Star Wars proved he can pull off a cloak and all-black outfit. Welcome aboard, Driver.
Jorge Garcia as Rubeus Hagrid
Hagrid is a big presence not only because he's half-giant, but also because he's among the most-loved characters in the series. From his squashed birthday cake to his 'I should not have said that', the character is brilliantly portrayed by Robbie Coltrane, who passed away in October 2022.
Coltrane literally left some big shoes to fill, but fans believe Jorge Garcia might be up for the task. Known for his role in Lost, Garcia has long hair similar to Hagrid's, which no doubt helped convince fans that he was the right man for the role.
John Malkovich as Lord Voldemort
Ralph Fiennes put it in no uncertain terms that he 'is Lord Voldemort', but fans believe Con Air actor might be a good replacement if we were to take things across the pond.
He's proved himself to be a strong comedic actor as he stars alongside Steve Carell in Space Force, but fans are prepared to see his evil side as the Dark Wizard. Plus, Malkovich is already bald, which might save the makeup department a job.
Marsai Martin as Hermione Granger
Emma Watson's proper English accent helped bring 'know it all' Hermione to life, but after seeing her role in Black-ish, fans pitched Martin to be her replacement as Hogwarts' resident genius.
Having been the youngest person ever to produce a studio film with the movie Little, Martin evidently has what it takes to take on the challenge.
Benjamin Haigh as Ron Weasley
Rupert Grint's squeaky-voiced fear at the prospect of being faced with spiders combined with his determination to help Harry at all costs helped viewers fall in love with Ron, but after taking on the terrifying Conjuring 2 movie, fans have no doubt Haigh is brave enough for the role.
The 16-year-old is also known for his role in Victoria and Abdul, and his red hair would help ensure him as the perfect Ron.
Owen Vaccaro as Harry Potter
Radcliff was only 12 years old when he rose to fame in the first Harry Potter, and like his co-stars had no idea about starring in a franchise as big as his would be.
When recasting the star, fans opted for a child actor with a bit more experience under his belt in the form of Vaccaro, who is currently 17 years old, began appearing in feature films in 2016 and is known for his appearances in the Daddy's Home series and The House with a Clock in Its Walls.
The prospect of recasting Harry Potter is certainly a big one, but evidently fans have proven they're up to the task. Now that the work is done, all we need is for a studio to get on board!
Topics: Harry Potter, TV and Film, Celebrity
Emily Brown