Hagrid Was a Hell's Angel
Filed under: Action, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Warner Brothers, Family Films, Harry Potter, Remakes and Sequels
It is always fun hearing about the inspirations for actor's performances. Nobody is better at letting the public in on his character's origins than Johnny Depp, but now Robbie Coltrane has revealed the basis for his role as Rubeus Hagrid in the Harry Potter movies. Obviously the real source is J.K. Rowling's series of novels, which describe the character pretty much as he's depicted on screen, and Rowling even is said to have imagined Coltrane in the part while writing the first book. But as for things he had to flesh out, such as mannerisms and speech, the actor did have a muse. He says there was a Hell's Angel biker he once knew who looked really tough and mean but would say things that showed a more sensitive side, like, "I don't know about you, but the petunias this year are very bad." See, the large man was a gardener in addition to being a biker.
A gardening biker with, "fists like hams," and, "a gentle heart." Hmmm. If I didn't think Coltrane was the most perfect thing about the Harry Potter movies, I would say Warner Bros. should have just cast that guy. Sounds like a real-live Hagrid, doesn't it? He also reminds me of these bikers upstate who look grizzly and have ferocious names like Vermin, but who sang karaoke to songs like "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road." You never can tell with motorcycle gang members. They're all probably as good with kids as Hagrid, too. Need a babysitter?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
9-28-2008 @ 10:08AM
roxxie said...
I love the hells angels iwant to find them because i love to do anything for them like being their horn well pole dancer. i love biker bad boys speshel traveling with bad boys and doing anything for them in bed because thays what i want to do in my life i love sexy bikers love roxxie
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7-21-2006 @ 12:31AM
no name said...
so what? we all have our backgrounds. plus, never judge a book by it's cover.
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7-21-2006 @ 3:05AM
W. A. Wilson said...
I don't know, I'm not a real HP fan but I thought that Alan Rickman was the most perfect thing about those movies.
I've probably said this before, here or someplace else, so please bear with me.
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7-21-2006 @ 10:29AM
edgewalker said...
I love Hagrid on his bike. Just...yeah. I have thought the casting so far has been brilliant, much like the visuals. My gripe with the movies is that they cut stuff I personally consider vital. Imo, a lot of Rowling's art is in the details and motivations, which were so lost in the first three movies I didn't bother with the fourth.
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7-21-2006 @ 12:04PM
UpsetwithnewDumbledore said...
Everyone was perfect for the movies so far.....except Michael Gambon.I wasn't happy with him at all....I don't even think he tried...he never had the same magical touch as Richard Harris.....
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7-21-2006 @ 12:12PM
Christopher Campbell said...
I agree with you there Upset. Gambon is a great actor, but he's lacking the spirit for Dumbledore. Harris was simultaneously jovial and stern, while Gambon just doesn't even seem to be interested. I'd rather hug Snape than be in the presence of Dumbledore in the last two films.
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7-27-2006 @ 8:42PM
Kat said...
Bikers, and I'm talking REAL bikers, have bigger hearts & souls than many of you could ever imagine. To many people tend to judge a book by it's cover.
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7-27-2006 @ 9:09PM
christi said...
edgewalker, I agree with you totally, casting has been perfect except maybe Fleur Delacour who seems a little too plain to me, but otherwise I've been happy with the castings, also I agree that imporant information has been left out of the movies, and I think anyone who is a real fan and has read the books agrees, I'm 25 years old and actually had a converstaion with a 12 year old (my nephew) about everything that was left out of the movies. All in all though they do a real good job of sticking to the meaning of the story, but vital information has been left out of the movies for sure, I think the third one was probably the one that they left the most out by not expalining who Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, Prongs really are, they get to wormtail but never reveal who the others are, which to me is important, esepcailly considering Harry's patronus, and why it is what it is. Anyway I just thought I'd say I agree.
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7-27-2006 @ 9:13PM
christi said...
Ooo, wait no I agree with the "New" (since the 3rd movie) Dumbledore comment too, I think he's rather drab and really kind of scary, not someone who is so loving and kind, and mysterious as well. I liked the first Dumbledore, I thought he was perfect. Soft spoken yet stern, this one is "Hippy" Dumbledore too, I don't know what else to say except I just don't like him.
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7-27-2006 @ 9:38PM
Harley Mike said...
REAL Bikers are the most mis-understood group of people. I know, I've been one for over 40 years. They always tell it like it is, and will give you the shirt off their back. But NEVER,NEVER mess with their bikes or their loved ones, cause you will wish you hadn't. Todays current crop of new riders don't understand the true meaning of brotherhood and comraderie. They just think its a fashion show
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7-27-2006 @ 9:50PM
Marie said...
If Coltrane was an angel, more power to him. I myself would rather have a house full of Hells Angels live next door to me then I would have cops. In fact I would move if I lived by cops!
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7-27-2006 @ 9:51PM
Victoria said...
Hell's Angel, huh? That's cool. I think he's still a biker. "Once a rider, always a rider." or "RIDE OR DIE!"
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7-27-2006 @ 10:16PM
Kate said...
A straight real Hells Angel I don't think I would trust. But I would get to know a tough looking biker and possibly give him a chance. (in order to become a REAL Hells Angel don't you have to kill someone?)
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7-27-2006 @ 10:17PM
Lynn said...
The correct term is "club" NOT "gang" and most old school bikers are good people with heart. If I have to explain heart, you wouldn't understand..........
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7-27-2006 @ 10:25PM
Jill said...
Wait - some of the new bikers know it too... I love to ride and one day I will get my license - but my guy and I ride - belong to a "club" .... we do alot for the kids for the local armory while their families are apart because of the war - you have the toy ride at Christmas - and the runs that are for fallen bikers, firemen, etc. And yes, no matter what they look like, they always will have heart.
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7-27-2006 @ 10:30PM
Chrissy said...
he people of hells angels are not all bad people. My dad is real good friends with Chuck Zito who was in Hells Angels for like 25 years and he is a awsome guy and he loves giving to charity
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7-27-2006 @ 10:52PM
Doctor X said...
The misconception about the Hell's Angels is incredible. I once went to an annual pick-nick (by invitation) that this group held and it was a family style environment that you wish you could have in your own family. If that was the actors inspiration....then by all means.
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7-27-2006 @ 11:13PM
LONEWOLF said...
In my 54 years I've scooted on nothing but Harleys [panny] and have driven anything with wheels, I have
ridden with a number of clubs in my day, but I belong to no one. But they are All my brothers, I'm a true
Lonewolf...I ride long and hard,of the wind, or gentle like a breeze. I earned and wear my "Drooping Wings", I have no tatoos, no pierces, I do no drugs, yet I am good friends with the Buds and Micks. I have no desire to follow nor lead. I will give you the shirt off my back for most any help one needs...but dont mess with my family, or an innocent animal...
I know a great number of "True Brothers"...Bikers who are true real bikers, be them clubbers or loners, and them are a few shit heads that that are nothing but "Wanna Be's" that totally miss the point and give us all bad names.
Lonewolf [true 1%]
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7-27-2006 @ 11:36PM
tavii zeffilini said...
...hagrid looks like the Hell's angel who picked me up when i ran away from home at age 14, he packed me all the way from PA. to SF.,we even stayed at motels,he fed me,bought me new clothes,and NEVER layed a hand on me!!& i sure was a sweet pretty flower child. so try look at the Heart inside and not the hard? outside.also kate you sillygirl no you don't have to kill someone to be a REAL Hell's angel
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7-27-2006 @ 11:55PM
tena said...
Real bikers have more heart than anyone I know. I have partied with Hell's Angels and done business with them at their LEGITIMATELY owned and operated companies. I attended a major party watched by the FBI from a distant hill. ha ha They were so sweet to me and helped me when I started getting ill from a chronic illness. We all have a past, some of us just get to REALLY live!!! Ride on to all those who ride or ride in their hearts! All of us will fall, some get back on, some won't and some of us CAN'T get back on.
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