Harry Potter Book Characters That Deserved More Movie Screen Time

As a dedicated Harry Potter fan, I have an undying love for the wizarding world created by J.K. Rowling. The magic, the characters, the adventures – they’ve all left an indelible mark on the hearts of fans around the world. However, as I’ve grown older and rewatched the Harry Potter films, I’ve come to realize that some of the characters who played pivotal roles in the books didn’t receive the screen time they deserved. In this article, we’re going to delve into the characters who should have had more time in the limelight on the big screen.

Table of Contents

Luna Lovegood: The Quirky Friend

Luna Lovegood, portrayed by Evanna Lynch in the Harry Potter films, is a character who captured our hearts the moment she made her debut in “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.” Luna’s unique, eccentric nature and her unwavering friendship with Harry deserved more exploration in the movies. It’s worth noting that Evanna Lynch was initially intimidated by her co-stars, but she seamlessly integrated into the ensemble, making her a cherished addition to the cast. Luna’s whimsical charm and genuine friendship with Harry should have been more prominently featured in the films.

Neville Longbottom: The Chosen One

Neville Longbottom, brought to life by Matthew Lewis, was the underdog of Hogwarts. While he may have been portrayed as a “nerd” and often the target of bullying, the books revealed that he could have been the Chosen One himself. By the conclusion of both the books and the film series, Neville played a pivotal role in defeating the dark forces. His character’s transformation and heroics deserved more attention on the big screen.

Molly Weasley: The Protective Mother

Molly Weasley, portrayed by Julie Walters, epitomized the loving, protective mother figure we all wished we had at Hogwarts. Her fierce showdown with Bellatrix Lestrange should have been more prominently featured, as there’s nothing quite like a mother’s wrath. Molly’s character, a cornerstone of Harry’s support system in the books, deserved more cinematic exploration.

Sirius Black: The Shapeshifter

Gary Oldman, a versatile actor, portrayed Sirius Black with perfection. While the films did justice to his character, the books delved even deeper into his role, making his tragic demise all the more heart-wrenching. The dynamic between Sirius and Harry deserved more time on screen, particularly in “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.”

Kingsley Shacklebolt: The Unsung Hero

While the Ministry of Magic was filled with less-than-admirable individuals, Kingsley Shacklebolt, portrayed by George Harris, stood out as a beacon of integrity and strength. His minimal screen time left a lasting impact on the Harry Potter fandom. One more scene with Kingsley would have been a welcomed addition, as he symbolized the unsung heroes within the wizarding world.

Fleur Delacour: The Weasley Connection

Fleur Delacour’s story, particularly her marriage to Bill Weasley, was a subplot that deserved more attention in the movies. Her character, portrayed by Clémence Poésy, warranted additional development. Although Clémence Poésy has found success beyond the Harry Potter series, fans longed for more of Fleur’s presence in the films.

Kreacher: The Underrated House Elf

The house elves in the Harry Potter films received limited attention, and Kreacher, the Black family’s house elf, was no exception. In the books, Kreacher played a significant role, but in the movies, he remained a barely memorable side character. His importance and backstory were tragically downplayed.

Bellatrix Lestrange: The Unhinged Villain

Bellatrix Lestrange, brought to life by Helena Bonham Carter, was a memorable and unhinged character in the films. However, her portrayal in the books was even more sinister. Fans yearned for a deeper exploration of her madness, which would have added a layer of complexity to her character.

Fred and George Weasley: The Pranksters

Fred and George Weasley, played by James and Oliver Phelps, were beloved for their mischievous antics. However, the films missed an opportunity to showcase their entrepreneurship and their use of Harry’s Triwizard Tournament winnings to establish Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes. Their backstory was underrepresented, and their journey as entrepreneurs deserved more screen time.

Dobby: The Loyal House Elf

Dobby, the loyal house elf, had significant roles in two of the films, particularly “Chamber of Secrets.” However, his character had a more substantial presence in the books, offering invaluable assistance to the Golden Trio. Dobby’s devotion and sacrifices were underplayed in the movies.

Peeves: The Mischievous Poltergeist

Peeves, the mischievous poltergeist who tormented Hogwarts students, was a prominent character in the books. Unfortunately, he was entirely absent from the movies. While there were practical reasons for his exclusion, fans missed out on his antics and pranks.

Remus Lupin: The Favorite Professor

Remus Lupin, portrayed by David Thewlis, was a fan-favorite professor at Hogwarts. He had a more substantial role in the books, and his interactions with Sirius and the Marauders offered a deeper understanding of his character. His portrayal in the films didn’t do justice to his significance.

Blaise Zabini: The Slytherin Student

Blaise Zabini was a character who appeared briefly in the films but played a more significant role in the books. He was portrayed as calm and collected, offering a different perspective on Slytherin house. Exploring his character further would have enriched the portrayal of Hogwarts’ student body.

Professor McGonagall: The Resolute Teacher

Professor Minerva McGonagall, brilliantly played by Dame Maggie Smith, was a teacher every student wished for. Her unwavering dedication to protecting her students and her essential role in the books deserved more screen time in the movies.

Narcissa Malfoy: The Mother’s Love

Helen McCrory’s portrayal of Narcissa Malfoy showcased a character with more depth and complexity than the films explored. Her pivotal moment in the Battle of Hogwarts, where she lied to Voldemort to protect Harry, should have been given more attention on screen.

Lucius Malfoy: The Enigmatic Father

Lucius Malfoy, played by Jason Isaacs, was a character who left a lasting impression in the films. However, the books provided a more in-depth look into his character and motivations. A deeper exploration of the Malfoy family dynamics, especially Lucius, would have enhanced the storytelling.

Charlie Weasley: The Dragon Tamer

The absence of Charlie Weasley, the second eldest Weasley brother and a dragon tamer, was a missed opportunity in the films. His inclusion could have added thrilling dragon-related scenes to the movies and provided more insight into his character.

Nymphadora Tonks: The Metamorphmagus

Nymphadora Tonks, a metamorphmagus and a member of the Order of the Phoenix, deserved more screen time in the films. Her fun personality and contributions to the wizarding world were downplayed, and her character’s potential remained underexplored.

Mad-Eye Moody: The Unhinged Auror

Mad-Eye Moody, portrayed by Brendan Gleeson, was a standout character in the series. His unhinged nature made him a fascinating presence. However, the films failed to fully explore his character, leaving fans wanting more of his unpredictable personality.

Cho Chang: The Forgotten Love Interest

Cho Chang’s character was introduced in the films but didn’t receive the depth and significance she had in the books. Her role in Harry’s life, her betrayal of Dumbledore’s Army, and her connection to Ginny were important elements that deserved more attention.

Dean and Seamus: The Gryffindor Friends

Dean and Seamus, friends of Harry, had more prominent roles in the books but were relegated to background characters in the movies. Their friendships and interactions with Harry and other students deserved more development.

Rodolphus Lestrange: Bellatrix’s Husband

The Harry Potter novels introduced Rodolphus Lestrange as Bellatrix’s husband, but this character was entirely omitted from the films. While his absence allowed Bellatrix to shine, the dynamic between the two characters would have been intriguing to witness on screen.

Marietta Edgecombe: The Unexpected Betrayer

Marietta Edgecombe was responsible for revealing the location of Dumbledore’s Army, a role that was inaccurately attributed to Cho Chang in the films. The inclusion of Marietta’s character would have provided a more accurate portrayal of Cho and added depth to the storyline.

Professor Binns: The Ghostly Historian

Professor Binns, the history professor at Hogwarts, was a character not included in the films. His presence as a ghost could have added a unique and comical aspect to the Hogwarts faculty and classroom scenes.

Crookshanks: The Clever Cat

Crookshanks, Hermione’s intelligent cat, was known for his suspicion of Scabbers, who turned out to be Peter Pettigrew. While his character made appearances in the films, more exploration of his cleverness and role in the story would have been appreciated.

The Harry Potter series, both in books and films, introduced us to a wealth of remarkable characters. However, for various reasons, some of these characters were underrepresented on the big screen. As we look forward to a new Harry Potter adaptation on the horizon, we can only hope that these characters, their stories, and their relationships will receive the attention and development they truly deserve. Until then, we can continue to dream of a cinematic world where these characters shine as brightly as they did in the books.