Harry Potter fans have been going into overdrive in recent weeks, with the release of the trailer for the new Fantastic Beasts film, which revealed a controversial secret.
But there has been another twist in the tale, and it's not come from where you would have expected it.
Macaulay Culkin - yes, of Home Alone fame - has tried to wrangle himself a role in the franchise.
Advert
The former child star took to Twitter to beg the series' author, J.K. Rowling, to write him into any future films.
Now I know roles have been a bit hard to come by over the past few years - decades - for Macaulay, but surely this isn't the usual way actors go about getting roles, is it?
But I mean, it's 2018 so I guess usual rules apply anymore.
You have to give it to him though, the opportunist picked his moment perfectly and showed as much cunning as bratty eight-year-old, Kevin McCallister, displayed in the Home Alone film that catapulted him to success.
Advert
The 38-year-old (feel old yet?) jumped onto social media in defence of the multi-millionaire author and the film after fans voiced their outrage when it was revealed that Nagini, Voldemort's beloved snake, one of the Dark Lord's Horcruxes, is actually a Maledictus - a secret Rowling had been hiding for 20 years.
For the non-Potter fanatics among you, a Maledictus is a female individual that carries a blood curse from birth, which then turns them into a beast.
So where's the outrage, I hear you ask?
Well, the actress cast to play Nagini is South Korean star Claudia Kim, and critics have blasted the decision to cast an Asian actress, as what critics have said is essentially a white man's pet.
Advert
But not Richie Rich - he took the opportunity to send the author his CV.
He wrote: "Hey @jk_rowling, I'm with you! Nagini can be whatever she wants to be! She's a strong woman/snake. Also, can you write me into the next movie? I'm Macaulay Culkin (From Home Alone: The Movie) and I was also a Pagemaster (experienced with magic)..."
If that wasn't enough, he then roped in his friend Dan Fogler, who portrayed Jacob Kowalski in the original Fantastic Beasts film, to vouch for his credentials.
He added: "Hey @ mrdanfogler put in a good word for me. There's a back rub in it for you. ;) BTW, it's me Macaulay Culkin (From Home Alone 2/we're friends in real life)."
Advert
Dan then replied, joking: "Interesting ... you do have the same colouring as a the Malfoy clan..."
Though she has yet to reply to Macaulay's request for a part, J.K. Rowling has stood firm and defended the casting.
In a post on Twitter she wrote: "The Naga are snake-like mythical creatures of Indonesian mythology, hence the name 'Nagini.' They are sometimes depicted as winged, sometimes as half-human, half-snake. Indonesia comprises a few hundred ethnic groups, including Javanese, Chinese and Betawi. Have a lovely day."
Come on, J.K., throw him a bone.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: TV and Film, News, US Entertainment, macaulay culkin
