“I would love to do that”: Colin Farrell’s Harry Potter Dream Came True a Little Too Late After Begging for a Chance Years Ago

SUMMARY

• Colin Farrell expressed his desire to join the Harry Potter franchise as early as 2008.
• His dream came true when he landed the role of Percival Graves in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
• Farrell's portrayal of Graves left a lasting impression, and fans even requested he reprise the role after Johnny Depp’s departure from the series.

The world of Harry Potter is vast, illustrious, and complex, full of unexpected, alluring twists and turns and characters. Still as popular as the time it was released, there would only be a few who would not want to be part of this illustrious world. And Colin Farrell is one of the many who have longed to be part of the wand-wielding, eccentric world of witches and wizards.

A still from the Harry Potter films | Credit: Warner Bros.

A massive fan of the Harry Potter universe, he first expressed the desire to be part of the world when the original 8 movies were still being made. Years passed, and the original series wrapped up, but as fate would have it, Farrell’s long-awaited dream finally came true through its spin-off franchise, Fantastic Beasts.

Colin Farrell’s Fantastic Beasts’ Role was a Dream Come True

Colin Farrel as Percival Graves in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016) | Credit: Warner Bros.

The original Harry Potter movies might have wrapped up ages ago, but the draw of the world has hardly diminished after all these years. One of the most prolific media franchises of all time, it has long attracted the attention and intrigue of many actors and actresses, several of whom would sell their souls for a chance to become part of the magical world.

The DC star Colin Farrell starred as the mysterious high-ranking Auror and Director of Magical Security for MACUSA in the first Fantastic Beasts film. But in reality, he was the alter ego and disguise of the powerful dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (portrayed by Johnny Depp); and Farrell was perfectly convincing in his portrayal. But before he landed the role, he was one of the many actors desperate to be a part of the franchise.

Back in 2008, the actor starred in the crime thriller In Burges, sharing screen space with three Harry Potter stars— Clémence Poésy (Fleur Delacour), Ralph Fiennes (Voldemort), and Brendan Gleeson (Mad-Eye Moody). In an interview during the press run of the film, when asked if he would ever be interested in being part of the magical franchise, he candidly stated (via Black Film),

‘Harry Potter?’ I would love to do that. I’d love to do that. I’d love to do that. I f**kin’ never get the calls for that, the good stuff like that.

While he never got a chance to be part of the original films, his dream finally materialized with his role in the 2016 film, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Such was his appeal, that when Depp was fired from the role amid his legal troubles, fans wanted Farrell to take over the role and portray Grindelwald.

Colin Farrell Had Fun Being Part of the Fantastic Beasts Franchise

Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them (2016) | Credit: Warner Bros.

Colin Farrell might have missed out on the original Harry Potter movies, but that sure did not diminish his excitement when he got a call from David Yates to join the Fantastic Beasts franchise. Portraying the enigmatic Percival Graves aka the disguise of Gellert Grindelwald, Farrell had fun playing the mysterious character.

While talking to Collider about how he landed the role, the DC star was quick to proclaim love for the franchise.

…as I said I’ve seen the first eight Harry Potter films and loved them all. And so it’s a very cool thing to be a part of. It’s fun.

As for how was it working in the film, Farrell went on to state how it was unlike anything he had done before.

… the world that it exists within. I mean it’s enormous amounts of fun. I have a f**kin’ wand. I mean seriously, seriously, I’m not even joking, you know, and I’ve done plenty of things that have been you know, (sighs) more that have had a strain of despondency or pain or loss or violence and all that. So, this feels very different from anything I’ve done.

Although Colin Farrell’s entrance into the magical world of Harry Potter came late, he made the most of the opportunity and the role. His portrayal of Graves was particularly captivating and has left a lasting impression on the wizarding world.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is available to be streamed on Netflix.

Written by Maria Sultan

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