Role Call: Bedtime Stories and Singing Squires

This week, Hagrid reads us a bedtime story, a familiar werewolf gets into a car accident, Sid the Squire resumes his post, Professor McGonagall sets her sights on America, and a legend returns! Take a peek at what we have in store for you during MuggleNet’s weekly Role Call!

Love him or hate him, Prisoner of Azkaban director Alfonso Cuarón is set to mentor new talent in the arts and entertainment industry as part of the Rolex Mentor Protégé Arts Initiative. His participation was announced last week in Mexico, and he will choose his protégé by June of next year.

Domhnall Gleeson (Bill Weasley) has been all over the news this week due to premiere of Star Wars: The Force Awakens as well as three of his films being nominated for Critics’ Choice Awards. He is set to appear on The Late Late Show with James Cordon this Tuesday, December 15, following his appearance at the Star Wars Hollywood premiere the previous day. Domhnall also showed his professionalism earlier this week while giving a phone interview during a live radio show, when the car he was riding in was involved in an accident. Thankfully, no one was hurt and the actor continued to field questions about the award he recently accepted on behalf of his father, Brendan Gleeson (Alastor Moody).

I was nominated against my father and I lost to him, my dad was not there so I had to go up and accept the award.

He also had agreed to accept another award for his co-star, Tom Hardy, who won for his role in The Revenant, saying,

Brilliantly, Tom Hardy is in The Revenant and later on in the night he won Best Actor and he wasn’t there so he organised for my name to be called out again to accept the award for him even though I had nothing to do with it.

You can listen to the full radio interview here.

Warwick Davis (Griphook / Professor Filius Flitwick) is also set to appear at the UK Star Wars premiere in London, scheduled for December 16, telling Bristol Post that he’s excited for the film’s release:

… it’s certainly been a long time coming. I’m sure it will be a fantastic night and one to remember for a long time to come.

Have you been missing Hagrid? Robbie Coltrane (Rubeus Hagrid), who brought the famous half-giant to life for fans of the film series, recently appeared on Crackanory to read The Last Laugh. Take a look at a few clips from the appearance below, which also include Robbie speaking about what makes a great storyteller.

Luke Youngblood (Lee Jordan) is returning to television as Sid the Squire in season two of Galavant! The first episode of the second season is slated to begin this January, but ABC has released a promo for the series, which has expanded to 10 episodes. Take a look below!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfxTUBOZc-E

Director David Yates may be busy taming a fantastic beast or two, but he’s also still tackling the live-action version of Tarzan. New stills from the film The Legend of Tarzan, along with a trailer, were released this week, featuring a shirtless Alexander Skarsgård. Feast your eyes, ladies!

Dame Maggie Smith (Minerva McGonagall) seems to be making unexpected appearances everywhere! Last month, she appeared on the Graham Norton Show, the first British television interview in 42 years. E! News recently received a statement from the star, which indicated that she may very well be on hand at this years Golden Globe awards, for which she is nominated in her role in the film, Lady in the Van. Says Smith of her nomination,

I am absolutely thrilled to be nominated for a Golden Globe, and to be in such terrifically talented company. I look forward to seeing you all in L.A. in January. Thank you.

Fiona Shaw (Petunia Dursley) is set to share acting tips in a new Irish television series, Bow Street Meets. The series is meant to give advice to actors and filmmakers new to the industry. Fiona’s episode has not yet been uploaded to the site.

Finally, a teaser trailer for the animated film, Kubo and the Two Strings, featuring the voice talent of Ralph Fiennes (Lord Voldemort), was released this week. Take a look here:

That wraps up our Casting News! What was your favorite highlighted project this week? Are you just as excited for the new Star Wars film as we are? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below!