The Harry Potter series has influenced the minds of a generation. Since Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was first published in the United Kingdom in 1997, J.K. Rowling’s sweeping tale of the Boy Who Lived has captured millions of hearts all over the world. The Wizarding World’s popularity skyrocketed after the release of the feature picture adaption in 2001. All seven books have been international best-sellers, and eight blockbusters have been released in theatres around the world.
It’s no surprise, however, that the conclusion of Harry’s narrative was bittersweet for everyone involved, from the cast and crew to the devoted fans who have supported him and his pals through thick and thin. Sure, there has been a slew of offshoot films and tie-in books, and Rowling isn’t afraid to drop bombshell after bombshell. Even while Newt Scamander is a revered Hufflepuff symbol, it’s still not the same as watching the golden trio grow up.
If your heart still aches for more Wizarding World stuff, you can reread all of the novels and see all of the movies—we won’t condemn you. However, you may delve into some behind-the-scenes film and discover an entirely another world.
For long-time Potterheads and beginners alike, we’ve assembled a list of behind-the-scenes photographs from the films that are sure to shed some new light on the Harry Potter franchise. The primary tale and tie-in content, especially The Cursed Child, include some spoilers.
Here are some behind-the-scenes photos that drastically altered the original films.
1. Nagini On A Stick
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, as a Wizarding World film with a star-studded cast, received a lot of public attention. However, the discovery that Nagini was, in reality, a human lady caused a lot of controversies. Nagini could turn into a snake at will at first, but as a Maledictus, she is cursed to be a snake for the rest of her life.
Of course, a blood curse like this does not exist in reality. To bring Nagini to life, the crew had to use a combination of CGI and physical effects. Nagini is terrifying, capable of possessing humans, yet she’s really just ahead on a stick on set.
2. Basilisk Head
Nagini is far from the Wizarding World’s only magical creature. Due to Tom Riddle’s release of the Chamber of Secrets, a basilisk wounded both students and faculty during Harry’s second year at Hogwarts. When it slithered through the castle’s pipes, not even ghosts were safe from its murderous look.
This image may not totally calm your stomach—after all, the basilisk is still a massive and terrifying monster—but it may help to alleviate some of your nightmares. Only the basilisk’s head, which was mounted on a rig, was usable, and the remainder was completed in post-production. Imagine the mayhem it would wreak if it were real, with the crew standing right next to it for size!
3. Bellatrix And Harry Having A Blast
Bellatrix Lestrange has shown herself to be Voldemort’s most devoted devotee. She has shown no remorse at all, and she even had a hidden child with him named Delphini. She’s done so many heinous things that it’s impossible to mention them all. The most egregious example is arguably taking Sirius’s life at the Ministry of Magic, which increased Harry’s resentment of her.
Fortunately, none of the hostility spilled over into real life, like this adorable snapshot shows. Even though Hogwarts is actually disintegrating behind them, Daniel Radcliffe smiles as Helena Bonham Carter kisses him on the lips. It’s a startling sight, especially when they’re both bruised from the incident.
4. Voldemort Vs. Mario
Voldemort is unquestionably one of the most heinous villains ever to appear in popular culture. He claims that Muggles and Muggle-born wizarding folk are inferior, and he ruthlessly attacks anyone who dares to defy him. In order to secure his power, he even tries to end the life of a literal infant. It takes a lot of action and support for Harry to destroy the Dark Lord, but a simple Muggle hammer, as seen in this behind-the-scenes glimpse onset, might have sufficed. It would have shown him just how powerful Muggles can be.
As the Wizarding World crumbled, the Order of the Phoenix should’ve summoned Mario and Luigi. Is there any chance of a Nintendo crossover?
5. Dumbledore’s Green Thumb
To say the least, Dumbledore, like pretty much every other character in the series, went through a lot of anguish. In order to help Voldemort, he lost his family, fell in love with the evil wizard Grindelwald, and sacrificed his own life. He did find Marvolo Gaunt’s ring containing the Resurrection Stone before his untimely death, and he was tempted to use it to resurrect his family. The ring’s curse nearly killed Dumbledore, but he was able to suppress the effects and confine them to his right hand.
As demonstrated by Michael Gambon’s green glove in this photo, Dumbledore’s withering hand was created using computer graphics.