Toby Jones Talks Dobby In "Deathly Hallows"
Actor Interviews
Posted by: Edward
November 27, 2007, 04:03 AM
Actor Toby Jones, who provides his voice to the digitally created character of Dobby in the “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” film, is the subject of a new interview online from MTV. In this interview, Mr. Jones discusses his desire to again give his voice to the house elf in the seventh film, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” and of the massive effort that it takes to create the character seen on the screen. On this subject he says:
“I can only take a certain amount of credit for inhabiting Dobby, because clearly these brilliant people at Industrial Light and Magic have created Dobby and I just voiced the character. [But] am always amazed and flattered at how much that character has endured even though he hasn’t been in any films for a while. Every time a book comes out people phone me, and write to me from around the world saying ‘He’s in! He is in!’”
Mr. Jones goes on to comment on his hopes for a return for “Deathly Hallows” saying, in part, “It would be fun.” He continues on this subject, speaking directly about certain events which involve his character in the seventh Harry Potter novel in the rest of the interview, which you can read right here. A caution for those still wishing to avoid “Deathly Hallows” spoilers, this article does contain them.
To be honest, having read all seven books, I’m a little surprised that JKR didn’t strenuously warn the filmmakers off cutting Dobby in the same way she did with Kreacher; aside from the fact that they’re both house-elves, Dobby and Kreacher are rather similar characters, insofar as that they’re both seemingly unimportant, “background colour” secondary characters who suddenly and rather unexpectedly assume great significance in the final book (see also: Griphook, Ollivander, the Grey Lady). Even moreso than Kreacher, Dobby is such an easy character to disregard; yes, he’s a lovable and engaging presence, but Books Four to Six gave no indication that he was destined for anything other than a minor comic relief role, or as a continuity-establishing recurring cameo, similar to Winky. I guess Dobby doesn’t have an irreplaceably pivotal role in the flow of the plot like Kreacher does, but his death can certainly be seen as emotionally pivotal, so it would be a shame not to see it in there (even though I’m not overly fond of movie Dobby; I found his design and animation rather bland and inexpressive, and I felt Toby Jones seemed content to just do a cartoonish high-pitched voice rather than actually act the part).
There’s so much going on in DH I doubt they’ll include Dobby in it. Even if it’s one of the most emotional scenes, it doesn’t move the plot along. The trio (duo at the time) can escape on their own from the Malfoy manor dungeon, just have Wormtail going in there and dying while leaving the door open or having the keys with him.
Remember that the two way mirror was not included in OotP. No mirror + no Mundungus = No Aberforth sending Dobby to help. Plus, movie audience doesn’t even know Dobby is working (freeeeeeeee!) in the Hogwart’s kitchens.
Book 7, when Kreacher spills everything on Harry, it finally made me see the point of having houselves in the books. Reading the book to myself, I didn’t cry when Dobby died.
But, reading the book aloud to my parents, Dobby’s death was the only one that actually made me cry! So, I hope they have him back to get an army of houseelves in the war with Kreacher! Hahah!
To be honest, having read all seven books, I’m a little surprised that JKR didn’t strenuously warn the filmmakers off cutting Dobby in the same way she did with Kreacher; aside from the fact that they’re both house-elves, Dobby and Kreacher are rather similar characters, insofar as that they’re both seemingly unimportant, “background colour” secondary characters who suddenly and rather unexpectedly assume great significance in the final book (see also: Griphook, Ollivander, the Grey Lady). Even moreso than Kreacher, Dobby is such an easy character to disregard; yes, he’s a lovable and engaging presence, but Books Four to Six gave no indication that he was destined for anything other than a minor comic relief role, or as a continuity-establishing recurring cameo, similar to Winky. I guess Dobby doesn’t have an irreplaceably pivotal role in the flow of the plot like Kreacher does, but his death can certainly be seen as emotionally pivotal, so it would be a shame not to see it in there (even though I’m not overly fond of movie Dobby; I found his design and animation rather bland and inexpressive, and I felt Toby Jones seemed content to just do a cartoonish high-pitched voice rather than actually act the part).