Nicholas Hoult drops out of Harry Potter series days after casting was announced
Nicholas Hoult will no longer star in the upcoming HBO Harry Potter series, according to reports.
The actor, who is famed for his start in British TV show Skins before going on to hit the big time, was set to take on the role of Gilderoy Lockhart.
The news was revealed just a couple of weeks ago - however, it has now been reported that another famous face will be taking on the role, as Hoult has had to drop out due to 'scheduling issues'.
According to Deadline, filming was set to be adapted so that the 36-year-old could shoot scenes while also juggling two other projects.
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However, as they couldn't find a way around these scheduling conflicts, the publication reported that HBO decided to let him out of his deal.
This will likely come as a disappointment for fans who were excited to see Hoult step into the shoes of the villainous Harry Potter character, especially as he once revealed that he already missed out on a role in the original films.
During a previous appearance on Hot Ones Versus with Lily-Rose Depp, the Superman star admitted he'd auditioned for the first film - and quipped that he was 'still waiting to hear back' from director Chris Columbus.
Hoult recalled that it wasn't a 'memorable audition', before explaining: "I remember doing a couple of auditions, and then meeting [Columbus] and maybe having fake glasses for the audition.
"Not getting the role of Harry, and then maybe coming back and [them] being like, 'Will you audition for Malfoy?'
"I don’t think I got that either, and then they were like just gradually audition for every role in Harry Potter until they were like, 'No'."
HBO has instead called on the iconic Game of Thrones actor Kit Harington, 39, to step into the shoes of Lockhart for the series.
This shouldn't be too difficult for him to prepare for, as he voiced the complex character in the audiobook titled Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions, which was released last year.
Harington told Audible at this time that he had been 'entranced' by the Harry Potter books as a child, like many other youngsters.
"I think there’s a little bit of Gilderoy Lockhart in all of us," he later added.
Lockhart is a central character in the second book in JK Rowling's renowned series.
The half-blood wizard is hired by Dumbledore as Professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts, where he quickly earns himself a reputation for being vain, fame-obsessed and more than a little bit full of himself.
Although Lockhart appears charming on the surface, underneath it all he’s hiding something very different altogether and things quickly take a dark turn.
The role was previously played by Kenneth Branagh in the 2002 film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
The character also pops up again in Order of the Phoenix, however, this was cut from the films.
The first trailer for HBO's adaptation of Rowling's books dropped back in March.
It gave fans a first look at Dominic McLaughlin in action as the Boy Who Lived, as well as teasing several major departures from the original books and film series.
Everything we learned from the Harry Potter TV series trailer
Harry shown at Muggle school
We might not have gotten a proper view of the iconic platform nine-and-three-quarters during the trailer, but one of the key details we did get a look at is Harry at a Muggle school, giving fans a glimpse into previously unseen parts of his childhood.
Harry and Hagrid take the London underground
The 2001 movie doesn't really delve into how Harry and Hagrid actually got around London for their shopping trip to Diagon Alley, but the new trailer gave us a peek at the pair hopping on the underground.
A good look at Hogwarts in unexpected detail
The trailer also gave fans a good look at Hogwarts, the sorting hat and even Ollivander as well as a first look at Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia (Daniel Rigby and Bel Powley), who are seen taunting Harry, telling him he's 'nothing special'.
The main cast seen in action for the first time
We were finally given our first glimpse of the franchise's most central characters, including the likes of Professor Snape (Paapa Essiedu), Hagrid (Nick Frost), Dumbledore (John Lithgow), Professor McGonagall (Janet McTeer), Draco Malfoy (Lox Pratt), Ron Weasley (Alastair Stout) and Hermione Granger (Arabella Stanton).
Series one will be named after the UK book title
During the trailer, it was confirmed that series one of the HBO show will be called Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone after the franchise's OG book title, much to the delight of all UK Potterheads.
Surprisingly early release date
Having been previously slated for an 'early 2027' release, the trailer confirmed Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone would be premiering 'this Christmas on HBO Max'.
Topics: Celebrity, Harry Potter, HBO, Kit Harington
Olivia Burke