Harry PotterWBThere have been essentially no confirmed castings for HBO Maxs upcoming, hugely ambitious Harry Potter series, despite lots of rumors about who is circling which roles. Now, we have another one, but a deal appears to be almost done this time, say new reports.The role is Dumbledore, the most central figure to the series other than the trio of Harry, Ron and Hermione. And the actor that is near a deal to play him, according to Deadline, is none other than John Lithgow.You will of course recognize Lithgow from well, everything. He has 137 TV and film credits, most recently in the Oscar-nominated Conclave, he was in Scorseses Killers of the Flower Moon, HBOs Perry Mason. Hes played Winston Churchill. My first real introduction to him was as the Trinity Killer in Dexter, as long ago as that may be.WB has of course not commented on the report that hes almost signed a deal, but this one seems closer than most. Is Lithgow a good pick? He would be an American actor playing a British part, though again, hes done that before, specifically as Churchill, for one.NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 14: John Lithgow attends The Old Man" Season 1 NYC Tastemaker Event at ... [+] MOMA on June 14, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)Getty ImagesMORE FOR YOUThere is a big issue with Lithgows casting, however, and its no fault of his own. Its his age. While Lithgow is still an excellent actor, hes 79 years old. Reportedly the show will not air until 2026 or 2027. Then, it seems unlikely that HBO Max could get through all seven books in anything less than 10 years, and even that seems ambitious, with 1.5-2 years between most high profile shows in the streaming era. So at the tail end of this Lithgow would be what, 90? 92? 95? That doesnt seem like it would work, talented as he may be.This is not a done deal, and joins a number of other reports of who is being considered for various roles, where sometimes the opposite is true and some actors feel too young for the parts. So far, weve hard:Paapa Essiedu for SnapSharon Horgan or Lesley Manville for McGonagallBrett Goldstein for HagridCillian Murphy, at least as endorsed by Ralph Fiennes for VoldemortLONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 05: Paapa Essiedu attends the 2024 Harper's Bazaar Women of the Year ... [+] Awards, held in partnership with The Platinum Card by American Express, at Claridge's Hotel on November 5, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images for Harper's Bazaar UK)Dave Benett/Getty Images for Harper's Bazaar UKThe most perplexing pick on the list is Paapa Essiedu for Snape, not because of a racial change, but because Snape is supposed to be sort of awkward and odd-looking and menacing and Paapa Essiedu isa very handsome 34 year old, no offense to the late Alan Rickman. Again, none of these are confirmed yet, but that one is odd.I can see Lithgow donning a fake beard for Dumbledore, but given the timespan this show is going to run, Im just not sure if you can cast an actor thats going to be 80+ before the first season of the show even airs.Follow me , and .Pick up my sci-fi novels the and