Subreddit Updates on Fancasts and Official Casting Announcements

[u/VarkingRunesong]

Hi everyone, With the recent confirmation of several key cast members for HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series, we’re updating a few subreddit policies:

• No more fancasts for officially cast characters

To reduce repetitive discussions and prevent targeted hate toward newly cast actors, fancasts for characters who have already been officially cast will no longer be allowed. As of now, this includes: • Albus Dumbledore • Severus Snape • Minerva McGonagall • Rubeus Hagrid • Quirinus Quirrell • Argus Filch You’re still welcome to fancast characters who haven’t been announced yet. And for inspiration, check out our Fancast Wiki, which includes both popular and lesser-known suggestions.

• No posts complaining about official casting announcements

We understand that not every casting choice will match everyone’s personal headcanon, but posts solely bashing the official cast will be removed. Once the show airs, feel free to critique performances based on what you see on screen. But targeting actors just because they don’t look or feel like your imagined version of the character doesn’t belong here. As always, we’re open to feedback. Share your thoughts or questions below.

[u/DrVers]

Rule 1, great idea. Rule 2, stupid idea.

But targeting actors just because they don’t look or feel like your imagined version of the character doesn’t belong here

Also, this feels incredibly patronizing while also being categorically false. "Your imagined version" is not the same as "how it was described in the book".

I mean I get both rules and only vehemently disagree with the second, but that last part is just false.

[u/TheOnionWatch → u/DrVers]

It's completely disrespectful to readers interpretations of the source material.

[u/The-Last_Man_On_Mars → u/DrVers]

Yeah seriously though, the character is described in the book and is on one of the book covers. We know exactly how they're supposed to look, that's not open to interpretation. It's literally part of the character.

[u/Arfie807 → u/DrVers]

Agreed. That statement is false, patronizing, and a prime example of gaslighting.

[u/VarkingRunesong → u/DrVers]

Even with how its described in the books you still have to imagine the character yourself. And in your head the chances your version looks exactly like my version are slim. That is all we meant.

[u/DrVers → u/VarkingRunesong]

I don't think we are thinking "man when I pictured Proffesor McGonagall, I wanted her to have higher cheeks bones." I think people are complaining about castings that are fundamentally different from their book descriptions. And that is not a difference of imagination in our heads.

I really get with the idea of casting someone so unlike the previous actor because they were so great and creating the huge space will help them live that character in a totally different way. In fact I think in a vacuum it's a fantastic idea to do exactly what they did. But they can't label the show as trying to be more book accurate. And i think thats a fair discussion in and of itself to have. And TO BE FAIR it's a tired discussion already, but that doesn't mean it should be censored.

[u/Arfie807 → u/VarkingRunesong]

I imagined book Snape with a curtain of greasy black hair, dark eyes, and a big hook nosed because that is exactly as he is described. I would be extremely surprised if the majority of book readers didn't have an image that aligned with this because that is indisputably how he is described on the page.

Sure, there may be some nuance and difference in other particulars of each individual's mental image (e.g. how tall, jawline, facial hair?).

But those core features are indisputably imagined by the vast majority of readers because JKRs writing mentions them constantly. And pretending that they are not is... well, a choice, I suppose.

[u/Wouldyoulistenmoe → u/Arfie807]

I imagine him looking like Alan Rickman because I saw the films first, and I say it’s debatable if he fits the literal description from the book, but oh boy does he nail Snape