New photos from the set of HBO’s Harry Potter reboot have revealed the first look at Nick Frost as Hagrid, and reactions are already mixed. Many fans still link the role of Hagrid with Robbie Coltrane. Chris Columbus, who directed The Sorcerer’s Stone in 2001 and The Chamber of Secrets in 2002, said he also found it unusual to see someone else in the part.
Speaking on a recent podcast, he admitted the new images of Nick caught him off guard. The costume looked almost identical to the one designed for Robbie Coltrane more than two decades ago. Chris has made it clear he isn’t part of the new show. In his words, he already told his version of the story on film and doesn’t feel the need to go back.
He still speaks with pride about those early movies but has left that chapter behind. At the same time, he admitted that seeing Nick as Hagrid felt odd on a personal level. He recently ran into the actor and said it was “surreal,” especially because he and Robbie Coltrane had been close. Robbie, who passed away in 2022, left a lasting mark on him beyond the films.
At the same time, Chris does recognise the advantage of television. A full season for each book gives space for storylines and characters that never made it into the films, such as Peeves the poltergeist. In his view, that is the real strength of HBO’s adaptation.
For Frost, stepping into the half-giant’s boots is both daunting and exciting. Frost has spoken about how much he respected Robbie’s take on Hagrid, but said he isn’t trying to copy it. He hopes to bring in touches of his own while keeping true to the character. Nick has said he views Hagrid as a mix of kindness and rough edges, and he wants to bring out more of those layers in the show. With each book stretched into a full season, he will have more time to play with the details of the character.
HBO’s Harry Potter is currently in production and is expected to arrive in 2027. Fans have already started debating Nick Frost’s take on the half-giant, long before the first episode is out.
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