Gary Oldman Praises HBO's HARRY POTTER Saying the Show's Major Difference Could Make It Better Than the Films
Academy Award winner Gary Oldman has played many memorable roles over the years, but one fan favorite was that of Sirius Black in the Harry Potter film franchise.
The beloved character was perfectly embodied by Oldman, and while a new actor will take on the role in the upcoming Harry Potter series on HBO, Oldman believes this iteration of the story could be even better than the films.
Oldman told Entertainment Weekly in a recent interview that he thinks the series will be “more satisfying” for viewers than the movies because the nature of television allows it more space to tell the full story.
“We had to cut a lot, and still we could only get the films down to, like, three hours. I believe [the TV series is] gonna do it pretty much word-for-word, which I think, as a viewer, would be more satisfying.”
When it came to the films, Oldman shares that “a lot of character detail was sacrificed” along the way so that they didn’t extend past their traditional “two-and-a-half-hour window,” adding, “So I wish them luck with it.”
In general, Oldman says that he’s “proud” and “grateful” for his time spent in the Wizarding World “because it is such a phenomenon, the like of which I don’t think you’re ever gonna see again.”
He continues, “When you think of that initial cast, someone in the story who doesn’t get a lot of credit anymore is Chris Columbus, who set the world up and cast it. We were extraordinarily lucky to have those people come back again, and again, and again, and literally grow into those roles.”
To this day, Oldman adds that he’s still asked to sign photographs of Sirius Black, but admits he hasn’t reflected on his time playing the misunderstood wizard in many years. “I haven’t really looked back much at all,” he says. “You do look at things like old work… it’s old work. You just don’t revisit it.”
HBO has not yet announced who will play Sirius in its television adaptation, but we should be getting a trailer soon. The fantasy series, which is set to premiere on Christmas Day, follows Harry Potter (Dominic McLaughlin) and his friends Hermione (Arabella Stanton) and Ron (Alastair Stout) as they embark on adventures while studying at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
A longline for the series reads: “There is nothing special about Harry Potter — or so his Aunt Petunia tells him. But when a mysterious letter of admission to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry arrives, it opens the door to a hidden world of magic, friendship and adventure.
“Yet behind Hogwarts’ enchanted walls lie dark secrets. Harry must find the courage to prove himself against the darkest wizard of all.”
Harry Potter heads to Hogwarts on Christmas Day on HBO. The series will also be available to stream on HBO Max.