Latest news with #JamesPotter
News18
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Abhay Verma As James Potter? Desi Potterheads Want 'Munjya' Star In Harry Potter Series
Last Updated: After HBO revealed the new cast for the Harry Potter series, desi fans lit up the internet with an unexpected casting demand — Abhay Verma as James Potter. The wizarding world lit up with excitement this Wednesday as the new Harry, Ron, and Hermione were officially unveiled for HBO's much-anticipated Harry Potter series. But while global fans were busy getting to know the fresh faces of the Golden Trio, Indian Potterheads had their sights set on another beloved character — James Potter. And they already have a frontrunner in mind: Munjya star Abhay Verma. Yes, you read that right. What started as a few spirited fan tweets quickly snowballed into a full-blown casting campaign, with fans across India — and soon beyond — rallying behind Abhay Verma as the perfect choice to play the charming and mischievous James Potter. From his unruly hair and infectious smile to the glint of mischief in his eyes, fans pointed out that Abhay bears an uncanny resemblance to the way J.K. Rowling described James in her books. Not just that, several noted his striking similarity to the actors typically cast as Harry Potter, adding to the 'like father, like son" appeal. 'I think he makes a brilliant James — got that slightly cocky but harmless charm nailed down," one fan posted. Another chimed in, 'Perfect desi James. The mischief in his eyes is spot on!" Social media was flooded with fancasts, side-by-side comparisons, and even AI-generated edits placing Abhay in Hogwarts robes. As of now, the actor has not responded to the overwhelming fan love. Meanwhile, HBO officially introduced the new generation of Harry Potter stars — Dominic McLaughlin as Harry, Arabella Stanton as Hermione, and Alastair Stout as Ron — marking a new era for the magical saga. As for Abhay Verma, the young actor has been on a rising trajectory ever since his breakout performance in Munjya captured hearts nationwide. He is now gearing up for a key role in Shah Rukh Khan's upcoming action spectacle King, which boasts a stellar ensemble including Deepika Padukone, Suhana Khan, Rani Mukerji, Abhishek Bachchan, and Anil Kapoor. Whether he makes it to Hogwarts or not, Abhay Verma is clearly already casting a powerful spell over audiences far and wide. First Published: May 29, 2025, 16:55 IST
Roya News
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Roya News
HBO casting Snape as Black in Harry Potter reboot draws criticism
HBO's highly anticipated Harry Potter reboot is making waves with its latest casting decision: British-Ghanaian actor Paapa Essiedu, known for his standout performances in I May Destroy You and The Lazarus Project, will take on the iconic role of Severus Snape. While many fans are praising the move as a bold step toward inclusion, others are raising concerns about what they see as forced racial diversity and how it may unintentionally alter the character's background. Critics of the casting argue that transforming Snape into a Black character adds new racial implications to his backstory, especially his history of being bullied by James Potter and the Marauders at Hogwarts — a white James Potter tormenting a Black Severus Snape. What was once a morally gray school rivalry now risks being read through a racial lens. Without meaning to, the story introduces the dynamic of racial power imbalance into a narrative that originally centered on social exclusion, not race. James Potter bullying the only black student at hogwarts in the 70's yeah sounds like a good idea — NoSoyDany (@_NoSoyDany) March 7, 2025 James Potter and Co weren't nice to Snape but this casting will fundamentally change the whole point of those characters if you give their bullying a racist undertone. — dr. a (@academicsheep) April 14, 2025 HBO will have a very bad reputation by the time they are on Prisoner of Azkaban! Here me out. Neville is afraid of Snape, hence his boggart is: Snape. Who comes out of a wardrobe? Snape... who now happens to be black. Neville is afraid of a black man. — BlabberingCollector (@BlabberingC) March 21, 2025 I can't wait to see James Potter and his other white friends to bully Snape, who is now black. I wonder how that'll go! Leviosa... — Pacosith (@Pacosith) April 14, 2025 Critics have also pointed out that instead of race-swapping a central character, the series could have explored the stories of existing Black characters already present in J.K. Rowling's universe—such as Dean Thomas, Angelina Johnson, Lee Jordan, and Kingsley Shacklebolt—who were often underdeveloped in both the books and films. Paapa Essiedu should not have been cast Severus Snape in the Harry Potter TV series. — Goat Herder 101 (@BillyGoat838) April 14, 2025
