Movie News

Potter producer still wants Oldman

Tue 14 Feb 4:00 PM

Following speculation that Gary Oldman had been dropped from the Potter films, the producer of the fifth installment - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - confirms he's still wanted.

Rumours of Oldman's axing began when principal photography on the David Yates-directed movie started last week at the British Leavesden Studios and his agent openly said Oldman was looking for other employment.

But the Hollywood actor is now in negotiations to reprise his role as Sirius Black, the boy-wizard's godfather.

Producer David Heyman said: "We're not shooting his part for quite a while, and as is always the case, you begin with the parts that are most pressing,"

He told the Hollywood Reporter: "We have every intention of having Gary Oldman play Sirius Black."

The doubts over who's in and who's out this year may be due to the fact Warner Bros had most of the key actors under contract only until the fourth film, so they've now had to arrange fresh contracts to cover this and future installments.

Oldman was introduced in the third film, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Although his role was smaller in last year's Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, he plays an integral part in 'Phoenix.

Perhaps the sixth film should be titled Harry Potter and the Saga of Contract Negotiations?