Deadline has reported that the Shaun of the Dead actor is close to being officially cast as the gamekeeper.

John Lithgow was confirmed to be playing Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore.

Lithgow told the Smartless podcast that he was surprised that so many people had already approached him since the news of his casting became official.

"Can you believe this has already started?" Lithgow said. "The deal was only set, like, 48 hours ago, and in airports two weeks ago, somehow or other, people had gotten wind of this, and they were stopping me."

Deadline has also reported that Janet McTeer was in negotiations to play transfiguration professor Minerva McGonagall.

It also has been reported that Gangs of London star Paapa Essiedu is going to be cast as Severus Snape, attracting backlash.

Many were concerned that he doesn't fit the characteristics of the character from the book.

"'Greasy, shoulder-length black hair, a hooked nose, and sallow skin.' Does this sound like Paapa Essiedu to you? Or any person of color, for that matter?" one person wrote.

Others think that this casting would affect the character dynamics, particularly with Snape's tense relationship with Harry's dad James Potter.

Some fans have raised concerns that the bullying scenes involving a young Black Snape would introduce unintended racist undertones that shift the narrative's intent.

Despite this, some were excited to hear of the prospects of Essiedu playing Snape.

"Might not occur to Harry Potter fans that Paapa Essiedu simply was the best person for the job??" one person asked.

"Paapa Essiedu is a phenomenal actor and in another world this would be a fascinating and inspired bit of casting, unfortunately this show, ironically enough, is cursed from birth," another wrote. "We appreciate that such a high-profile series will draw a lot of rumor and speculation," HBO previously told PEOPLE in a statement regarding casting.

"As we make our way through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we finalize deals."