10 Movie Roles That Almost Were Cast VERY Differently
3. Robin Williams As Hagrid (Harry Potter)
In the list of JK Rowling related controversies, this one is probably quite low down. However, could you imagine the energy that Robin Williams could have brought to the role of Hagrid in the Harry Potter franchise?
Williams was clearly as big a fan of the books as everyone else back in the early 2000s. When he heard news that they were to be adapted into feature films, he called director Chris Columbus (with whom he'd worked on Mrs. Doubtfire and Bicentennial Man) to offer his services as Hagrid. Columbus declined the suggestion when JK Rowling exerted creative control by short-sightedly demanding that all the roles be played by British actors.
Obviously, Robbie Coltrane is terrific as Hagrid, but there's an energy and a danger to Williams which would have been perfect for the role. You only have to look at him in Jumanji or his outlandish Scottish accent in Mrs Doubtfire to see how he would have played the giant with the penchant for fantastic beasts. He was a screen presence that inspires such warmth and is still missed today. He was also incredibly, incredibly hairy. What more could you possibly want for a friendly giant?