He must read them. He would like them! And he's missing a great deal by primarily watching the movies.

Hokai, this is what bugs me about the movies sometimes. You get the feeling that not everyone involved has read the books, and so, the movies lose the flavor of the books. Imagine what they'd be like if the people working on the movies were fans.

Ooh...first to post

Yes, i agree w/ you, but as he is focusing on HIS role of Slughorn and is getting loads of feedback from the directors on exactly how they imagine this character is to be presented, i dont know if reading the books would help him that much more. I mean, they will keep reshooting scenes until he is exactly the slughorn he is supposed to be. I personally believe reading the books could help, but he is a most accomplished actor.

I agree with both of you. ^^^^ I wish they would read the books, but they also get direction from the director and screenwriter. I'll reserve judgement til I see the movie. I hope he's great, though!

I am so excited!! I can forgive him not reading the books, as long as he does Slughorn justice on screen!! November CAN'T come SOON ENOUGH!!!

yes, he should read the books (its called research!)

- although Slughorn only features in HBP he should particularly read that!

*squee*
They're keeping that part in then! ;D

Can't wait!

They are though. I guess different people have different ideas as to what the films should be, but as far as being an adaptation goes, that does not require them to be identical to the novels. All the better for it, imo.

As it is, he's read Half-Blood Prince. That is the key text for Slughorn.

That's a pivotal plot point, of course they are!

I can't wait to see the movie!!!!!

It kinda annoys me how they choose people for the movies who haven't even read the books! Really, how can you play a character that you don't even know all the aspects of. Sure Slughorn doesn't show up until the 6th movie but you don't have that background of reading the novel first.

Surprised he didn't read the books when he was first approaced for the film. Hope he catches up before the 7th movie!???

cool!

Oh....I can't wait to see the movie!!

I'm in agreement with FoxFire. It's quite annoying when I read that people who are cast in the films haven't read the books. They put these weird quirks on their characters that wouldn't have been at all if they'd read the books. The characters themselves already have their own quirks. I don't know. It would just be a lot better if everyone involved read the books. :[

I don't know about this statement right here. I mean, if we examine that...Okay. Well, here's my point of view (there's a point. let me explain). Richard Harris WAS Dumbledore. And I mean in every aspect of playing the role of Dumbledore. And I am not saying this because he was the "first" Dumbledore, or whatever you would like to call it. There was this sort of reserved...Well, there was a quiet power to his performance, which is exactly what and who Dumbledore is. He's very quiet indeed, but you just know that he's powerful without him having to show it. Michael Gambon's performance as Dumbledore's is extremely pale in comparison (I know many won't agree with this, but there's probably more that do). I am not sure if Michael has read the books, and I do know that he isn't Richard Harris, but in my opinion, he is no Dumbledore. He overplays Dumbledore at times IE: In GOF when Harry's name comes out of the Goblet. His initial reaction to the Goblet issuing his name and then his reaction once he reads the name. Just plain over-acted. And this is not, as I restate, because I am biased. If Michael had initially been casted the part, I would still have this opinion. It's quite disappointing because there are these other, small, shining moments which you can almost see Dumbledore in Michael, but then it's either very short lived or vanishes completely.

Okay. So this brings me to my point (I know you've been waiting for it)...Slughorn won't necessarily portrayed as the Slughorn we've all seen in the books no matter how many takes the directors have to do.

yay i cant wait for it to come out

I am so surprised that all of these great actors/actresses do nearly no research into the background of their characters.

If it were me (And oh my god, i wish it was) i'd be looking into every corner of my characters personality, ensuring i gave the best possible portrail of the character i was lucky enough to be playing!!!

I'm surprised he hasn't read the books, but then he's right about it not being the thing of his generation.

At the end of the day, different fans think differently, as we're all different people. They can't possibly shoot every possible interpretation of the characters. In my opinion, Gambon is far superior to Harris. In which case, they cannot possibly satisfy both camps. When it comes to opinions, there is no right or wrong way of going about it.

At least he's read HBP, which is the key reference for him.

I just love him

interesting interview