VFX Artists Revealed How Hagrid Looked So Big In The Harry Potter Movies, And It Explains How Brett Goldstein Could Land The Role In The New TV Series

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As a longtime devotee of cinema, I’ve seen my fair share of transformative performances and groundbreaking visual effects. The prospect of Brett Goldstein playing Hagrid in the upcoming Harry Potter series has me intrigued, to say the least.

Having grown up with the original films, I vividly remember the awe-inspiring spectacle that was Hagrid’s on-screen presence. The late Robbie Coltrane brought such warmth and charm to the character, making him an unforgettable part of the Harry Potter universe.

But if we are to believe the casting rumors, Brett Goldstein may soon don the iconic role. While he might not be as tall as Hagrid is supposed to be, I have no doubt that with a blend of practical effects, CGI, and Goldstein’s undeniable talent, they could make it work.

As someone who has watched Goldstein shine in Ted Lasso and Shrinking, I can attest to his versatility as an actor. He is more than capable of delivering the grumbly charm that Hagrid is known for, not to mention the emotional depth required for such a beloved character.

Of course, there will be those who worry about Goldstein’s height compared to Coltrane. But as VFX artists have pointed out, it was all a clever trick in the original films—Hagrid could have been three feet tall, and you wouldn’t have known! So, while I eagerly await casting announcements for this new series, I remain optimistic that Goldstein will do justice to Hagrid’s legacy.

And let me leave you with a little joke: Maybe they’ll cast Goldstein as Hagrid and Tom Holland as Dumbledore—then we can have a Ted Lasso-Spider-Man showdown in the magical world of Harry Potter!

It’s tough to imagine Brett Goldstein as Hagrid in the forthcoming Harry Potter series, but if gossip about the casting is true, it’s not entirely out of the question. As we contemplate what it would be like to see the Ted Lasso actor portray this beloved half-giant, a group of three visual effects artists and YouTube creators have shared insights into how the original Harry Potter team created Hagrid’s immense appearance. This knowledge might aid Goldstein in embodying the role if he is chosen for it in the upcoming series.

In the movies, it was noted as a significant visual aspect that Hagrid stands at around 8 feet and 6 inches tall. This is according to Jordan Allen, a VFX artist from Corridor Crew. However, in reality, no one reaches such height, and Robbie Coltrane, who portrayed Hagrid, was only 6 feet and 1 inch tall. If the reports about Goldstein being considered for the role are true, he stands at 5 feet and 11 inches.

In the Harry Potter movies, the filmmaking team skillfully combined practical effects and computer-generated imagery to bring Hagrid to life convincingly. According to Niko Pueringer, this was demonstrated in a specific scene featuring Harry and Hagrid at the train station, which he analyzed.

In this scenario, we’re using a common type of camera technique known as “over-the-shoulder” shot. Imagine a large character standing on a platform, and the camera is positioned over their shoulder, looking down at Harry Potter. The following shot would be from Harry Potter’s perspective, looking up at another person. This leads us to believe that the second person is the one we were previously viewing over the first character’s shoulder. However, it’s important to note that the size of this second person could be as small as three feet, but due to the camera angle, we can’t tell for sure.

Subsequently, discussing the method of filming sequences where Hagrid walked with the children, Jordan Allen outlined various techniques to achieve that stunning visual effect. In simpler terms, he shared alternative methods for creating this impressive special effect.

Instead of trying various tricks to increase Hagrid’s height, they employed an array of film techniques to create the illusion of him being taller. They used wide-angle lenses, low-angle shots, forced perspective by moving the background actors and props farther away from Hagrid, and when necessary, they combined old-school compositing techniques with green or blue screen effects to make it appear as if he was standing among his actual surroundings.

During the making-of documentary for the movies, it was pointed out that a body double was employed during production. Allen referred to this as the “giant Hagrid costume,” explaining that Martin Bayfield, a 6’10” rugby player, donned it along with a large headpiece known as a “dead head,” which resembled Coltrane. Bayfield had the ideal measurements for the part, and by combining him, skillful camera techniques, and Coltrane’s performance, they managed to portray Hagrid as a genuine giant on screen.

With Brett Goldstein potentially taking on the role of Hagrid, a multitude of creative possibilities arise. Just as Coltrane did with shrinking, Goldstein could utilize his skills to bring a unique and authentic touch to the character. By skillfully combining practical effects, carefully selected camera angles, shots, and advanced CGI technology (which has significantly improved since the early 2000s), they can craft an exceptionally convincing portrayal of Hagrid.

From observing Goldstein’s performance in the show “Shrinking“, it’s clear that he is much more than just the gruff character Roy Kent; he possesses all the qualities needed to play the endearing gamekeeper. Fans may have concerns about Coltrane’s height compared to the original comedian, but as filming Hagrid in the movies demonstrates, size doesn’t always matter. As Pueringer put it, an actor could be as short as three feet, and still convincingly portray Hagrid. Therefore, when considering who should play Hagrid, height should not be a primary concern.

As a long-time fan of the Harry Potter series, I’ve always been fascinated by the magical world J.K. Rowling created and the iconic characters that inhabit it. With the upcoming reboot of Fantastic Beasts and the potential for more spin-offs, I find myself eagerly awaiting any news about the cast and how they plan to bring these beloved figures to life once again.

With Brett Goldstein’s impressive acting resume and his knack for portraying complex characters, I believe he would make an excellent Hagrid. However, with Mark Rylance being a frontrunner for Dumbledore and Paapa Essiedu being eyed for Snape, it seems that the competition is fierce. I have high hopes for these talented actors, but I can’t help but wonder if they will do justice to the iconic roles they are rumored to be auditioning for.

As a fan who grew up reading and re-reading the books multiple times, I am cautiously optimistic about the casting decisions that will be made. I know that the creators have a difficult task ahead of them in bringing these characters to life once again, but I am confident that they will do their best to stay true to the source material while also bringing something new and exciting to the table.

I eagerly await more updates on the casting process and hope that we’ll learn more about the cast and how they plan to tackle Hagrid’s massive presence, both literally and emotionally, as well as the other iconic roles in this magical universe. I know that I am not alone in my excitement for this upcoming reboot, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for Fantastic Beasts!

During this period, you could opt to enjoy the Harry Potter films by subscribing to Max or Peacock, or delve into Brett Goldstein’s performances in Ted Lasso and Shrinking on Apple TV+, and let your imagination run wild visualizing him as Hagrid.

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2025-01-03 03:37