At the Rotterdam Film Festival on Sunday, John Lithgow spoke candidly about taking on the role of Dumbledore in the forthcoming Harry Potter series, expressing his commitment despite facing criticism. The actor highlighted the significance of the character and his determination to continue with the role over the next eight years.
John Lithgow Addresses Controversy Surrounding J.K. Rowling’s Views
When questioned about J.K. Rowling’s statements on transgender issues, Lithgow responded thoughtfully, emphasizing the importance of her Harry Potter universe while distancing himself from her personal views. He stated,
“I take the subject extremely seriously. She has created this amazing canon for young people and it has jumped into the consciousness of the society. It’s about good versus evil, kindness versus cruelty. I find her views ironic and inexplicable. I’ve never met her, she’s not really involved in this production at all. But the people who are, are remarkable.”
John Lithgow’s remarks highlighted his commitment to the story’s positive themes despite external controversies.
He added further context, reflecting on the “Potter” canon’s depiction of acceptance and kindness:
“It upsets me when people are opposed to me having anything to do with this. But in ‘Potter’ canon you see no trace of transphobic sensitivity. She’s written this mediation of kindness and acceptance. And Dumbledore is a beautiful role.”
Facing pressure from dissenters, Lithgow acknowledged the difficulty of his choice:
“It was a hard decision. It made me uncomfortable and unhappy that people insisted I walk away from the job. I chose not to do that.”
He maintained a lighthearted tone in sharing his perspective on the time commitment involved:
“I’m the oldest person in this entire room, just turned 80. And yet I signed a contract – I will be playing Dumbledore for the next eight years! I absolutely have to keep at it. I felt: ‘Wow! That means I will live to be 88.’ I have that in writing.”
Despite his resolve, tensions surfaced during the Rotterdam event when an audience member voiced disapproval of Lithgow’s decision. Their protest led to a heated debate that diverted attention from Lithgow’s film premiere. In response, Lithgow expressed his willingness to engage with differing opinions:
“I’m perfectly ready for collisions of opinion. I understand it.”
Insights into the Film Jimpa and Collaboration with Olivia Colman
Alongside discussing his Dumbledore role, Lithgow also appeared in the film Jimpa, which premiered at Rotterdam. He shared his admiration for co-star Olivia Colman, saying,
“Olivia has such access to her own emotional life, it’s so genuine. It’s so real to her. She keeps you on the same emotional wavelength. What an amazing actor.”
Directed by Sophie Hyde, Jimpa tells the story of Hannah (Colman) as she reconnects with her father (Lithgow), who came out late in life and now lives in Amsterdam. Lithgow praised the Dutch film crew for their warmth:
“They’re the most welcoming people in the world,”
he said.
“The whole experience was like one big party. I was one percent of the straight crew and had a magnificent time.”
He also complimented Hyde’s artistic direction:
“Her story, her artistic and emotional instincts… I don’t know if I was her first choice to play her father, but that’s what she told me.”
Hyde referenced Lithgow’s performance in Love Is Strange during their collaboration.
Sophie Hyde’s Personal Inspiration Behind Jimpa
Sophie Hyde drew on her own family history to craft the film’s narrative. She described her father as
“a very eccentric gay man who came out just after I was born. When I was a teenager, he told me he was HIV positive. It was a time of crisis and I thought he was going to die too, but then the drugs came in and people started to survive, and my dad survived. When I had my child, he was there too.”
The filmmaker shared that her father passed away when her child, Aud Mason-Hyde—who also stars in the movie—was 12 years old. She further explained,
“Later they came out as trans and non-binary, and they were very public about it. And I wished for them both to be in the same room. That impulse was the beginning of that film.”
John Lithgow Reflects on Influences and Acting Approach
Lithgow revealed that growing up in a theater family deeply influenced his career, especially the actors he encountered in his Ohio hometown.
“I grew up in a theater family, and among actors. Many of them were my absolute heroes. My father was a hero of mine, but these actors in a small town in Ohio, acting in Shakespeare plays in the summer time, they were such passionate people. Many of them gay, by the way. I was just a little boy, idolizing these gay men. It informed me playing Jim.”
He noted Sophie Hyde’s personal investment in the project:
“Sophie shared so much of her own history; she was giving me letters he’d written, quotes. She’s a sneaky director. She’s constantly slipping you little bits and pieces.”
Lithgow described the rehearsal period as unique and profound, crediting Hyde’s method for building an authentic ensemble:
“She was turning us into a real family. In that week, we didn’t read a single line or play a single scene. But after there was no anxiety and first day jitters, not thinking: ‘What will these Australians think of my accent?!’ That was gone.”
Cast and Crew Praise the Collaborative Atmosphere
Actor Hans Kesting highlighted the affectionate spirit on set, recalling,
“Oh fuck yeah. It was one big love affair. John was so enthusiastic and there was so much love from the very beginning.”
Kesting shared memories of bonding exercises, saying,
“It was putting brown paper on the floor and having John outline my body, and all the scars. Later, that connection is there. This was about getting to know each other, and listening to each other’s stories – also about childhood.”
He described the film as deeply moving:
“It touched me to the core.”
He also lauded the storytelling:
“Because of the way Sophie told her story, the relationship between the characters. These are such terrible times so you long for heart, laugh, love, togetherness. It’s all in this movie.”
Zoë Love Smith, another cast member, recounted her excitement:
“My big international role and to play with John and Olivia? There was this immediate warmth. I wanted this role not just because it was big, but because it felt so good. I didn’t have rehearsals like that ever in my life.”
Romana Vrede, also part of the cast, called the film “powerful and personal” due to its real-life inspiration. She appreciated how naturally the story unfolded, saying,
“It just flows and that’s what life is. I loved that it captured life.”
John Lithgow on the Enduring Power of Storytelling and Audience Connection
Discussing acting’s timeless qualities, Lithgow emphasized the importance of engaging audiences:
“Styles change, but the basics of storytelling are very much the same. Any actor’s Holy Grail is the suspension of disbelief, making the audience believe that it’s not fiction but it’s real. Forgetting that these are actors. You never achieve it because adults at least know they are watching actors pretend.”
He reminisced about entertaining children:
“I used to have a second career entertaining children, and I used to absolutely love it. With them, they haven’t gotten there yet. They think they are seeing the real thing! I would sing my song with a silly hat on, pretend I forgot to take it off, and they would yell: ‘Take your hat off!’ So wonderful. That’s what you seek with audiences too, even for a fleeting moment. And that never changes.”
Lithgow reflected on his career highlights and the meaning behind Jimpa:
“I’ve had a long career and there has only been five or six [films] that were everything I’d hoped for. In this hothouse moment, when there’s such cruelty and misuse of power over people, it’s wonderful to make a film about empathy and kindness. Jimpa [the character] can be unwillingly cruel, but he’s always trying.”
Recounting a pivotal scene, he said,
“The most interesting acting I’ve done was lying in a coma next to Olivia Colman. You can see a tear running down my cheek, which revealed that he heard and understood what she was saying. It was so crucial to creating the reality of the scene.”
Finally, he shared a poignant thought:
“I guess I was just terribly moved by the thought of my own death.”
The Broader Impact of Lithgow’s Choices and the Future Ahead
John Lithgow’s decision to embrace the John Lithgow Dumbledore role, despite contentious debates surrounding the involvement with J.K. Rowling’s universe, demonstrates his dedication to storytelling focused on kindness and morality. His presence in the adaptation promises to bring depth to the character of Dumbledore while navigating sensitive discussions that surround the franchise.
Simultaneously, through Jimpa and his collaboration with esteemed colleagues like Olivia Colman and Sophie Hyde, Lithgow continues to engage audiences with meaningful stories reflecting personal truths and social empathy. As both projects evolve, audiences can anticipate his performances to blend complexity with humanity, offering resonance amid a challenging cultural climate.
