Casting for Dolores Umbridge

[davidinalameda]

http://www4.mugglenet.com/newsfusion/archive.php?show=month&month=September&year=2005

Imelda Staunton to play Umbridge in OOTP?
The Daily Mail is reporting the actress has been cast as Doroles Umbridge, the less-than-popular Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher during Harry's fifth year. This has not been officially confirmed as of yet. Thanks to everyone who e-mailed!


I want Patrica Routledge--she played Hyancinth Bucket in Keeping Up Appearances

[Pithy Cherub]

1. I was saving on the film budget: Karen Hughes

as Dolores Umbridge in real life and at "play".:rofl:

[intheflow]

2. I don't know that actress.

But if she's not available, Kathy Bates could probably pull it off. She's pretty damn scary, but can she do a British accent?

BTW, my screen saver is a collection of fan art I found in various places online. Here's my favorite of Umbridge, appropriately titled "Umbitch":

[davidinalameda]

6. only Brits in the movie

Kathy Bates would be wonderful, especially in light of her performance in Misery

[LWolf]

3. Mrs. Bookay as Umbridge?

Good call.:rofl:

Kathy Bates would do a great job, too, if she could pull off the British accent. I really like her too much to want to watch her getting off on disfiguring kids, though. Hyacinth, too. I'd rather keep her in the realm of "funny;" I might never look at her the same again!

[politicat]

4. There's gonna be a billion pounds of makeup on poor Madge!!

She's not at all what I envisioned as Umbridge.

My Umbridge was always someone more like ... Star Jones. (Who is a television personality I cannot stand, for multiple reasons, but mostly her self-centered greed and self-righteous puritanism.)

[Mist]

5. For some reason I saw Dawn French in the role as I was reading

the book. But French is now the new "Fat Lady" in the Gryffindor portrait. FWIW, Umbitch is on the short side, so Routledge may be too tall.

[DinahMoeHum]

7. Damn. I was thinking Judi Dench might get it.

Could you imagine her and Maggie Smith, those 2 Oscar-winning actresses (as well as old friends), going toe-to-toe with each other in the scene where Umbridge monitors McGonnigal's class??

:evilgrin:

[politicat]

8. Oh, they'd be stellar together.

Of course, I think Dame Maggie has worked with Ms. Staunton... probably theater, since I can't find anything in IMDB that connects them. Definitely in the 2 degrees of separation, though.

But Dame Judi.... oooo. That would have been wonderful.

[philosophie_en_rose]

27. Imelda Staunton and Maggie Smith were in David Copperfield

with Daniel Radcliffe. If you haven't seen it, it's a great PBS miniseries.

Staunton plays the absolute opposite of Umbridge in the movie. She and Bob Hoskins are adorable as the Micawbers.

[mzteris]

9. I always pictured that woman from

the Drew Carey show - the one with all the eye-makeup?

(I didn't actually watch that show so I don't know if she's a good actress or not......)

[Mist]

10. Only British (or from the British Isles) actors/actresses are cast

in the HP films. Apparently Jo Rowling wouldn't sign off on movie deals unless that was the case. Good for her--HP doesn't need the Hollywood treatment!

[YellowRubberDuckie]

15. She has said she has nothing to do with the movies...

She sold the rights before they were cast.
Duckie

[Mist]

20. I think before selling the rights, she insisted on British actors. n/t

[YellowRubberDuckie]

25. After much searching, I found you were right.

Sorry I doubted it.
Duckie

[LWolf]

11. lol

"Mimi."

I don't remember who she is, but she'd be amusing!

[XemaSab]

12. I'm sorry to see that

Moody and Madime Maxime are ALL WRONG from what I pictured. :(

[Pithy Cherub]

13. who got the parts for those roles?

:shrug: any pics?

[XemaSab]

14. Here:

http://www.veritaserum.com/galleries/displayimage.php?album=196&pos=8



Actually, after looking at more pix, Maxime's ok. :) Just not what I pictured.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

16. I pictured an oversized Angelica Houston as Maxime.

I know she's not british, but she's got an air about her that makes me think of her when I read Maxime. Probably something about Ever After.
Duckie

[Pithy Cherub]

17. Much obliged, thanks.

The Mad Eye Mooney eyeball is a strap on? :shrug:

Thanks:pals:

[XemaSab]

18. I know

it's sort of 4th grade school production... like what about CGI?

[davidinalameda]

21. I think its appropriate

I don't know why but it's grown on me

[intheflow]

22. Ack! The strap-on eye has to go!

What wizard would be caught dead with such an obvious muggle solution? Well, other than Arthur Weasley, of course. :P

[davidinalameda]

23. links don't work and I can't find a good pic of her in role

[intheflow]

24. Same here.

I can see Moody if I click the link, but nothing for Madam M.

[Mist]

19. I really wanted to see David Warner as Moody! n/t

[melissinha]

26. absolutely Mrs. Bucket would be AWESOME

I think that would be the obvious choice, she does the snarkiness so well.... she probably turned it down already.....

Well, I haven't seen Imelda Staunton in Vera Drake mthat she was nominated for.... guess we'll ahve to wait and see...

[LWolf]

28. I just listened to OOTP on tape.

Somebody sent it to me, and I had it playing in the background for a week or so while doing chores.

I found myself developing an incredible hatred for Umbridge; even more than when reading the book, and kept scolding myself for being foolish enough to hate a fictional character, or to indulge in hate at all.

I think it's because I'm a teacher, and OOTP is, intentionally or not, a satire on GWB's top down destruction of public education. Having lived and worked under head master/mistresses working for the government determined to dismantle my school and punish everybody involved in resisting NCLB, I guess it's more intense for me.

I've changed my mind. I don't want Hyacinth as Umbridge. I want someone who can portray a greedy, egotistical, sanctimonious, intellectually challenged psychopath without reminding me of a lighter character.

Perhaps Barbara Bush would make a good Umbridge.

[Matilda]

29. Tonks?

I've been watching the British series Hex - a lot of not terribly good people in it, but Jemima
Rooper who plays Thelma, the lesbian ghost, would make a marvellous Tonks, IMO.

Any other thoughts?

[Pithy Cherub]

30. Might Tonks be *cut out* of the film version?

Not sure what the OOTP's screenplay has as "official" movie characters. :shrug:

Especially, after the excising of Winky, Dobby, Mr. & Mrs. Weasley, The Dursleys, Fleur meeting Bill Weasley, the maze inhabitants,et al from Goblet of Fire. The new director could make this very different. It is also going to be another impossible job to hold it under 2 1/2 hours. (But King Kong is three hours...) We shall stay tuned! :P

[XemaSab]

32. Say it ain't so!

:cry:

[Pithy Cherub]

33. Don't cry...yet...

We need to know how the screenplay is structured and watch for cast announcements and if no Tonks character is cast... well then I'll :cry: too... a lot!

[Matilda]

39. I think Tonks has been left out.

I haven't seen a reference to the casting of the role. Every time I see Jemima Cooper, I think
what a great Tonks she'd be.

:-(

[XemaSab]

40. No, no, no

They've casted an actress to play Tonks.

Go to mugglenet.

They've got all the updates on the first page.

[Matilda]

41. I finally found it on The Leaky Cauldron,

but I'm not much wiser.

Somebody called Natalia Tena, who was in Mrs Henderson Presents (which
I haven't seen yet) and also in About a Boy playing Ellie (I think that
was the love interest of Nicholas Hoult, the boy, but I'm not sure), and
I can't find a decent photo of her.

But thanks for the lead.

[LeftCoast]

31. Mrs. "Boo-kay" would be fabulous as Umbridge

I can hardly wait for this film. I am dying to see the cinimization of the Weasley twins grand Hogwarts exit.

[DinahMoeHum]

34. OK, it is confirmed: Imelda Staunton. Filming begins next week. . .

Link:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060203/ap_en_mo/film_potter

(snip)
Filming will begin Monday in Hertfordshire, a county in southern England. The movie is not slated for release until next year.

The plot centers on the arrival of Dolores Umbridge, an unpopular new professor at wizard academy Hogwarts. She will be played by actress Imelda Staunton, nominated for a 2005 Oscar for her performance in the bleak period drama "Vera Drake."

Potter also wrestles with his attraction to new character Luna Lovegood, a role taken by 14-year-old newcomer Evanna Lynch.

Lynch beat out 15,000 young rivals in an open casting for the part in Britain.
(snip)



:applause:

[Pithy Cherub]

35. "Potter also wrestles with his attraction to a new character, Luna

Lovegood..." Well at least we know they didn't read the book, Order of The Phoenix. This may cause rioting in the Wizarding World. Wands at the ready... :crazy:

[LWolf]

36. My thought, exactly.

"Attraction?"

I loved Looney Lovegood. Harry appreciated her strengths, as far as I could tell. But "attraction?" :crazy:

[XemaSab]

37. It's Bellatrix!

:bounce:

[Pithy Cherub]

38. That looks like an excellent pick visually.

Next to Cissy with all the white blonde hair should be striking...and then to Snape too, OOPS, Professor Snape! :P

[Mist]

42. If you want to check out Helen McCrory before OoP is is released

rent "The Last King." She plays Charles II's mistress. She'll be great as Bellatrix. (Oddly, Shirley Henderson (Moaning Myrtle) is also in "The Last King.")