HOME TRAILERS RELEASE DATES PODCASTS REVIEWS POSTERS INTERVIEWS BOB $TENCIL NEWS FEEDS ABOUT APPS

LATEST NEWS

Bill Nighy Cast in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

by Alex Billington
July 1, 2009
Source: Independent, Leaky Cauldron

No, not the science guy! British actor Bill Nighy told the UK newspaper The Independent that he has joined the cast of the currently in-production Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. "I don't think I'm allowed to say it but I'm going to be in the next Harry Potter film," he told them. "I won't say which character, but he's a goodie. I just got the gig." Turning turn our friends at The Leaky Cauldron, they claim that Nighy will be playing Minister of Magic Rufus Scrimgeour. Considering they are the utmost authority on all things Harry Potter on the world wide web, I trust that information is accurate, at least for now.

In the Harry Potter universe, Rufus Scrimgeour eventually becomes the Minister for Magic succeeding Cornelius Fudge (starting after Half-Blood Prince). Before being selected as minister, Scrimgeour headed the Auror Office of the Ministry and he is heavily battle-scarred from his years of service as an Auror, giving him an appearance of shrewd toughness. Sounds like somewhat of the perfect role for Bill Nighy. I'm sure the cast of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is growing by the dozen every week. What beloved British actor wouldn't want to be a part of what is sure to be one of the biggest cinematic events in our history?

For now, our focus is on Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, which hits theaters in just a few weeks. I'm hoping it at least sets the course for one hell of an epic two-part conclusion with Deathly Hallows.

Explore tags: Casting, Movie News

L

I think Rutger Hauer is a more fitting Scrimgeour. Nighty doesn't command as much silently.
imthinking.tyler

This is upsetting since Scrimgeour took office during the Half-Blood Prince and tried to use Harry as ministry propaganda.
Itri

Yeah I agree with #2. Why they didn't put him in the 6th movie is beyond me...don't they know this movie will sell regardless of how long it is now? Why don't they just make it long then? The more the merrier!
Timothy

Mmmh, well he might NOT be Scrimgeour, but he seems to fit. Bill seems like a little bit more of a quiet actor than Rufus is in the book, but I'm sure he does. Also, it's worth noting, that the director, David Yates, has worked with Bill before which for me pretty much gurantees that, whoever he is, Bill is in the movie.
sc

I think he'll do a great job as Scrimgeour. He plays evil villains very well and is an outstanding actor.
Quenfis

He says that he is a "goodie." Scrimgeour is not a goodie really. So that has me racking my brain a bit. Not sure if they cast the part of Luna's dad yet, he would be good at that. It's not a big part, but still a crucial part to TDH.
Voice of Reason

Heightened by Davey Jones & Hot Fuzz, I love Nighy and am excited to have him add to the last 2 movies. (And then I see that he's in crap like G-Force & I want to take it all back. Guess we all need a paycheck...)
SC

#6 i'm pretty sure they cast Rhys Ifans as Xenophilious Lovegood. He played Adam Sandler's brother in Little Nicky.
Hairee

SPOILER ALERT! ************ ************ ************ ************ ************ Scrimgeour dies too early for him to be a major part...All he really does in the book is give the kids what Albus Dumbledore left in his will. I am thinking he would be a much better Aberforth Dumbledore. He will be in the cut scenes of when the brothers were in their youth, and also later in the book to help out the children. As number 2 and 3 said, I believe Scrimgeour needs to be in book six, so they SHOULD have already had him cast.
Zac

#3: I think the main reason they don't make 4-5hr movies for each book is ticket sales. Just as Watchmen was very long, it suffered from limited showings each day, so overall ticket sales suffered. #9: I'm not familiar with the books, but Bravo! Very excellent observation.
somwerbtwnblungrn

I think in this case it wont be Scrimgeour, there is another major character that was introduced in the Deathly Hallows nearing the end of the book & is more important in the whole story line. If it is true that he will play Scrimgeour, I have a bad feeling for Half-Blood a bit (won't spoil it for those who haven't read the book)
Brit

Xenophilus Lovegood.
Erika

I would agree with #9 that he could be Aberforth but that part has already been cast so I guess we'll all just have to deal witht he very likely fact that he will be playing Rufus. He would have made a wonderful Aberforth...
viral

I'm with #12...he does look cooky in a good natured way
perry

f*ck this douchebag, he is in every movie
max s.

who knows maybe he's luna's cookie wacked out father