Actor Jim Broadbent: I am Horace Slughorn in the New "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" Film

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Actor Jim Broadbent: I am Horace Slughorn in the New "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" Film

HBP Film

Posted by: Sue

September 17, 2007, 03:36 PM

In an exclusive interview with our friend Garth Franklin of Dark Horizons, actor Jim Broadbent confirms that he has been cast in the role of new Potions Master Horace Slughorn for the upcoming “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” film.

The actor, who says he has read the Harry Potter books, confirms he will play the pivotal character in the sixth Harry Potter film which is in rehearsals this week and is set to begin filming shortly. Jim Broadbent, best known for his roles in “Moulin Rouge,” the “Bridget Jones” films, and for his Academy Award winning role in “Iris” says the following:

Who are you?
Broadbent: Who am I? He’s called Horace Slughorn. He’s a retired teacher of magic who’s drawn back out of retirement because he’s got some secrets they need in the battle against the Deatheaters and he’s quite star struck as a teacher and he’s drawn back into the fold because he likes to notch up celebrity students, and he’s drawn back by Harry.

Question: Is he a comic character?

Broadbent: He is quite a comic character, yes. I haven’t started yet. I’ve had endless costume fittings and makeup and …

Question: What kind of costumes?

Broadbent: Tweedy sort of things with a bit of padding. He’s an older man, I’m aging up again.

UPDATE: You can see some additional photos of the actor here in our galleries. “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince “is due for release November 21, 2008.

Thanks much to Dark Horizons and to Cameron for the heads up!

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110 Comments

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Perfect. This is exactly who I wanted.

Posted by Kelly on September 17, 2007, 08:55 PM report to moderator

Clive Owen for Greyback, anyone? :D

Posted by Amy S on September 17, 2007, 08:59 PM report to moderator

I knew Broadbent was going to be a cast member, here’s why:

I saw pictures of Jim Broadbent at the London OOTP premiere, and now he’s a cast member

I saw pictures of Imelda Staunton at the London GOF premiere, and she was then cast in OoTP

I saw pictures of Gary Oldman at the London CoS premiere, and he as was cast in PoA

One more thing… Clive Owen was also at the OoTP premiere… could he possibly have a part?

Posted by Claire H on September 17, 2007, 09:02 PM report to moderator

NO!!! I was praying for Brian Cox!

And Steven, do you REALLY think Cox should be cast as Scrimgeour? I think that would be awful! I wish they had gotten Gary Oldman to be old Rufus, and chosen someone else for Sirius….

Posted by Robyn on September 17, 2007, 09:02 PM report to moderator

YES!!!!!! He always plays such wonderful characters…. but I am worried about him being fat enough…......

Posted by maineiak07 on September 17, 2007, 09:10 PM report to moderator

Albert finny isn’t brittish, is he? Anyway jim broadbent will do an accelent job.

Posted by redbeard on September 17, 2007, 09:19 PM report to moderator

I think he’s PERFECT! OMG, seriously, imagine what he’ll look like with a bit of padding and a great walrus mustache. The casting crew makes great decisions and I am thorughly thrilled with HBP coming out. It’s somthing we can actusally latch onto now that the books are done!

Posted by kerri on September 17, 2007, 09:27 PM report to moderator

looks a good choice.

to those wondering, paul bettany and albert finney are both british.

Posted by anne on September 17, 2007, 09:30 PM report to moderator

Spot on! Fantastic casting!!! :)

Posted by Muggle Mommy on September 17, 2007, 09:32 PM report to moderator

I kinda pictured Mr Lovegood as a Martin Short type character, with the looks of Mr. Malfoy, but really goofy, the way he was when he played Frik in Merlin when he was “seducing” Helena Bonham Carter’s Morgan Le Fey, I know he isn’t British, but that is how I pictured Luna’s dad.

But as I have said almost everyone they have chosen so far has been perfect and almost everyone was who I wanted it to be…Gary Oldman, Helena Bonham Carter, Kenneth Branagh, just perfect, I think Jim Broadbent will be just as wonderful!

Posted by Carebie on September 17, 2007, 09:53 PM report to moderator

This man has won an Acadamy Award, Golden Globe AND a BAFTA for acting!! That’s something even Imelda Staunton (Professor Umbridge) has never done. Once they fatten him up he’ll be perfect for the part!! BTW this is the actor who played Professor Kirk in The Chronicels of Narnia!

Posted by Gandalfxj9 on September 17, 2007, 10:13 PM report to moderator

My god, that is some kick-ass casting! Now WB please announce that you have cast Bill Nighy as Scrimgeour, and I’ll be one happy camper… :)

Posted by tureis on September 17, 2007, 10:14 PM report to moderator

Not how I pictured him, but everyone says he’s a good actor, so we’ll see…

Posted by LizetM on September 17, 2007, 10:24 PM report to moderator

OMG! I love Jim Broadbent. He’s so great it Moulin Rouge, and he’ll make a perfect Slughorn (once he has the fat suit of course)

Posted by Gordy on September 17, 2007, 10:29 PM report to moderator

Not to nit-pick, but in the HBP, Slughorn was shorter than Harry. From the their Bio’s, Jim Broadbent is 6’1” and Daniel Radcliff is lucky to be 5’6.” Wouldn’t Bob Hoskin’s be a better pick at least he’s 5’6” as well. With added padding he’ll look shorter.

Posted by AC434 on September 17, 2007, 10:32 PM report to moderator