Actor Jim Broadbent has given a new interview where he briefly discusses his role as Professor Slughorn in the upcoming Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. As seen in the Metro, Jim Broadbent says he has not read all the Harry Potter books, but has read the sixth book in the series. He noted “I’m not a massive fan, no, it’s not really part of my generation. But I had read the first one and seen the films. I caught up with the sixth one, which I’m in. But I have to admit I haven’t read them all.”
Of his role in the upcoming sixth Harry Potter film, he indicated he is enjoying taking on the role of the new Potions Master at Hogwarts as he stated: “It’s going great. I play Horace Slughorn. He’s a retired teacher brought out of retirement and drawn back into Hogwarts to tell his tale. He’s got a secret that they want to get out of him.”
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince continues production in England, and will be released in theaters November 21, 2008.
He can get away with not reading the others. Horace comes into the story in HBP. So there is no sort of background knowledge required from the other 5 books before it.
(Sorry, I couldn’t help myself. I just listened to the Pottercast yesterday where they play that song from Moulin Rouge everytime they say Professor Slughorn.I think it’s 118…)
Anyway, I agree with Neil. There’s really no backstory to catch up on that is not in book 6. But I hope that he reads DH before they film that… although, he only has like 2 lines I suppose… I hope they don’t cut him out, cuz I seriously love ol’ Sluggy. haha.
From what he said in the interview about his character (came back cause D.D. wants his secret but he doesn’t want to give it up) makes me happy cause it looks like he does know what sluggy is about.
good job on reading the book so you know whats supposed to happen!
OH so THAT’s who Jim Broadbent is. I only remember seeing him in Hot Fuzz. Doesn’t seem to look like I think Slughorn would, but we’ll see how he does with the role.
CarolynJ: A lot of people don’t realize that the books are being read by all generations. And you have to admit, although the fandom has a lot of readers in that age group… it is, for a large part, people who were under the age of eighteen as of 1999, or who had kids that were. At least he didn’t say “children’s books”, since TDH is hardly for seven year olds, though I do consider it young adult literature. Just not that young.
i agree he can get away with not reading 1-5 but she should also read DH as his character is in it as well ! and seeing as they are splitting it into to movies the oddsof him not being inthe second part of the DH movies is not existant!
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Naughty fella, not reading all the HP books ;) Nevermind, he certainly does fit the part of Slughorn though. And I bet his kids/grandkids are proud.