AI Reveals What Harry Potter Characters Should Look Like From the Books

When the “Harry Potter” books were first released in 1997, their popularity quickly soared, leading to a film adaptation soon after. “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” hit theaters in 2001, introducing audiences worldwide to J.K. Rowling’s magical world. Daniel Radcliffe took on the titular role, giving life to the beloved character of Harry Potter.

While fans appreciated the combination of young actors and seasoned British performers, there has always been debate about whether the actors truly resembled their book counterparts. In November 2022, YouTuber Suraj Kukkipady created a video comparing AI-generated images of the book characters to the actors from the film series. This video, inspired by a BoredPanda article, sparked discussions about how well the actors matched the characters’ descriptions in the books.

Some of the AI images closely match the actors, such as Clémence Poésy as Fleur Delacour in “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.” However, most do not. Casting for the “Harry Potter” series was a massive task, especially as the lead trio—Harry, Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint), and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson)—were just 11 years old when the story begins. Producer David Heyman and his team needed to find young actors who could mature alongside their roles.

Radcliffe, Grint, and Watson grew into their roles through eight films, flanked by esteemed British actors like Dame Maggie Smith, Sir Michael Gambon, Gary Oldman, Alan Rickman, and many others. Despite the discrepancies between the AI images and the film portrayals, the actors brought their characters to life in a way that resonated with audiences, leveraging both their talents and the creative direction of the films.

Looking ahead, these AI comparisons may soon be a thing of the past. A “Harry Potter” reboot series is headed to HBO. Announced in April 2023, this series aims to dedicate an entire season to each book, providing a more detailed retelling of J.K. Rowling’s story. Given the cuts made in the original films, this could offer fans a more comprehensive experience.

However, there are potential issues to consider. Rowling, the author, has faced significant controversy, influencing some of the franchise’s stars, like Daniel Radcliffe, to speak out against her views. Additionally, certain narrative elements, such as the house-elves’ “love” for servitude, might better be left untouched in a modern adaptation. Hopefully, with veteran creators like “Succession” alum Mark Mylod involved, the new series will find actors who more closely align with the characters’ original descriptions while updating the story appropriately for today’s audience.

The original “Harry Potter” films are currently available for streaming on Peacock.