Harry Potter

star Jason Isaacs reveals that Lucius Malfoy’s original design was very different from what eventually ended up on screen. Based on the books by J.K. Rowling, the hit Warner Bros. fantasy franchise chronicles Harry Potter’s (Daniel Radcliffe) journey across eight movies as he faces off against Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes). Lucius serves as a secondary antagonist in the franchise after being introduced in 2002’s Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, and he sports long blonde hair and dresses like a wealthy elite of the Wizarding World.

In a recent interview with Esquire, Isaacs explains that the design for the Malfoy family patriarch started off as a far cry from what was unveiled in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. The actor reveals that the original design for the character didn’t involve long blonde hair and was far more businessman-like. Isaacs, however, quickly realized that he looked far too much like a Muggle, the non-magical folks that Lucius despises, and he made some quick changes. Check out Isaacs’ explanation below:

The thing about Lucius Malfoy’s look is that none of it was there originally. I went to the set a month before shooting and they showed me sketches of a guy in a pinstripe suit with hair like this [gestures to his own short, brown hair]. So I went to the hair and makeup department and I said “I was hoping for a wig.”

And they went, “Well, Dumbledore has a wig.” And I went, “What? It’s a one-wig film? From Warner Bros.?” And then they went, “Why would you want one?” And I said, “Because he wouldn’t want his hair like a muggle. I’d want long blonde hair. My son has blonde hair.”

And they said, “You don’t have to have blonde hair.” And I said, “No, but I’d like it.” They said, “We don’t have anything for you to show the director.” I said, “What about that?” There was a tinfoil wig that you’d buy from a gas station. And I said, “Can I borrow that?” And they went, “If you like.”

And I put it on and I went to the costume department and they said, “We’ve just got you a businessman suit.” And I went, “Really? I was hoping to wear fur and velvet and ermine and have capes.” And they went, “Why? He’s a businessman.” I said, “No, he’s not. He’s a rich aristocrat and he would never want to dress like a muggle.” They said, “Well, we don’t have anything for you to show the director.”

I said, “Can I take that?” It was like a curtain. And they went, “If you like.” And I wrapped the curtain around me and I went to set and Chris Columbus was directing the pixie scene with Gilderoy Lockhart. He turned around and the ᴀssistant said, “We’ve got Jason here for a look.” And he went, “Where?” I said, “It’s me.” He said, “What are you…? What is that on your head?”

I said, “Okay, if you approve it, long blonde hair.” And he went, “Huh. Did you see the sketches?” I said, “I saw the sketches, they’re great, but I was thinking long blonde hair.” He went, “Right. Is that a curtain?” I went, “It is a curtain, but imagine it instead as a kind of velvet cape or fur-lined cape.” He went, “Huh. And you saw the sketches?” And I said, “I saw them. I don’t think he’d want to dress like a muggle.”

And he went, “Okay, is there anything else?” And I said, “Yeah, I was thinking I’d have a cane and my wand could come out of the cane.” And he said, “No, that’s not a thing. We have this conceit in the movies where the wands just appear. We don’t know where they come from.” I said, “I know, I’ve seen it, it’s great. I thought mine could appear from my cane.” Took about three seconds and he went, “I think the toy guys are going to love you.”

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What Isaacs’ Changes Mean For Lucius In Harry Potter

Lucius’ Design Plays A Crucial Role

The Harry Potter cast is undoubtedly a major reason why the eight films in the Warner Bros. saga are so beloved. The character designs are all very distinctive, including the core trio of Harry, Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermione (Emma Watson), but extending to secondary characters like Snape (Alan Rickman), Dumbledore (Richard Harris, Michael Gambon), and Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane). Isaacs’ story about developing Lucius’ look speaks to just how crucial a role actors play not just as performers in a scene, but as artists who collaborate with costume designers, writers, and directors to create fully-fledged human beings.

Lucius may not be a central character in the Harry Potter movies, but he does appear in six of the eight installments. Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton) is, in many ways, an extension of his father, and it’s clear that he gets many of his worst qualities from Lucius. Though Draco wears school robes in Chamber of Secrets, the character’s personal style comes out in later movies, and it often involves sleek black suiting. Isaacs’ early choices about Lucius, then, actually reverberate through the rest of the franchise through Draco.

Our Take On Isaacs’ Lucius Changes In Harry Potter

Isaacs Set A High Bar For His Lucius Malfoy Successor

Lucius’ hatred of Muggles is a crucial part of that character, and Isaacs’ suggestions about his character’s appearance speak to just how well he knows Lucius inside and out. Clearly, Isaacs read the Harry Potter books after taking on the role, and his commitment to authenticity and accuracy certainly shows on screen. Even as a secondary antagonist, Lucius often steals the show, and he is a character that audiences surely love to hate.

Isaacs’ story also raises questions about the upcoming Harry Potter TV show at HBO, and it speaks to just how important casting will be. Hopefully, the next group of actors to play the franchise’s iconic characters bring a similar level of pᴀssion and attention to detail. Though it remains to be seen how the Harry Potter TV show will fare with audiences, it’s clear that Isaacs has left some big shoes to fill for the next actor who plays Lucius.

Source: Esquire