Terry Gilliam to direct Harry Potter film?

[Rufus T. Firefly]

That's the question. And the answer is, "no." But it's interesting that he was considered. From today's NY Post, via Salon:

"The Brothers Grimm" director Terry Gilliam on what he thinks of his contemporaries: "I was the perfect guy to do 'Harry Potter.' I remember leaving the meeting, getting in my car, and driving for about two hours along Mulholland Drive just so angry. I mean, Chris Columbus' versions are terrible. Just dull. Pedestrian ... I saw 'War of the Worlds' and I thought, Steven Spielberg is a man who makes brilliant scenes but can't make a movie anymore." (Page Six)

The assessment of Columbus and Spielberg is dead on, but to the point: What would a Gilliam Harry Potter have been like? One thing's for sure: Nearly-Headless Nick would have had more to do, and Peeves wouldn't have been written out. He probably would have gotten Dumbledore right, too.

Discuss!

[Imran Siddiqui]

After hearing the travesty that is "The Brothers Grimm", I don't have the same faith in Terry Gilliam that I had before that.

Oh, and one of the things I thought Columbus DID do real well is get Dumbledore exactly right.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
After hearing the travesty that is "The Brothers Grimm", I don't have the same faith in Terry Gilliam that I had before that.

Oh, and one of the things I thought Columbus DID do real well is get Dumbledore exactly right.

I haven't seen Grimm yet, but his long string of magnificent films allows him the occasional clunker.

As for Dumbledore, I very much disagree; Columbus's Dumbledore was too much the kindly old wise man, with too little of the book's wit, wackiness, and mystery.

In fact, now that I think about it, Gilliam's Baron Munchausen seems more like the book's Dumbledore to me than CC's Dumbledore.

[Imran Siddiqui]

I totally disagree about your assessment. I though the original AD was perfect for the role in all forms and manners. Unfortunetly he's dead and the new one just isn't as good. Even when I was reading HBP I was picturing AD as the one in the first two movies.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
I totally disagree about your assessment. I though the original AD was perfect for the role in all forms and manners. Unfortunetly he's dead and the new one just isn't as good. Even when I was reading HBP I was picturing AD as the one in the first two movies.

I guess that's one of the joys of reading -- everybody gets to form their own pictures in their heads. To each his own.

[chequita guevara]

After rereading and rewatching PoA I have to say CC was an absolutely horrible director. Gilliam, I think, would have been fun, since he'd have real material to work with. Hell, he should have done the whole series.

[Sikander]

I'll add my voice to the chorus of CC sux and Gilliam rox. Even Gilliam's bad films are interesting. I wish that were true of more film makers.