HBO is reportedly in the final stages of negotiations with acclaimed actor John Lithgow to take on the iconic role of Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore in the much-anticipated Harry Potter reboot series.

According to Variety, Lithgow is on the verge of securing his starring role as Dumbledore, although HBO has yet to officially confirm the news. This development comes as a surprise following Variety's report in November that Mark Rylance was the top choice for the role.

"We appreciate that such a high-profile series will draw a lot of rumor and speculation," an HBO spokesperson stated. "As we make our way through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we finalize deals."

John Lithgow, known for his memorable portrayal of Lord Farquaad in the Shrek franchise, has an extensive career that includes notable roles in films like The World According to Garp, Terms of Endearment, and Footloose, as well as television series such as Dexter and The Crown.

John Lithgow. Photo by Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty Images.

Despite numerous reports, casting details for the series remain largely under wraps. HBO is also in the process of casting for the roles of Harry, Hermione, and Ron, with Paapa Essiedu rumored to be taking on the role of Severus Snape.

The series aims to stay true to its British roots, a decision influenced by the involvement of original author J.K. Rowling, who is "fairly involved" in the casting process.

Announced in April 2023, the Harry Potter series promises to be a "faithful adaptation" of the beloved novels, offering a more "in-depth" exploration of the story than what was possible in the feature films. The project is being helmed by Succession producers Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod, the latter of whom also contributed to Game of Thrones.