Harry PotterOpens in a new tab‘s Gilderoy Lockhart might have been a narcissistic charlatan who not only wasted an important year of education for young wizards and witches, he almost got Hogwarts shut down thanks to his incompetence. But, man, did he have a great smile. Also, it was hard to hate him since he was played by the great Kenneth BranaghOpens in a new tab, who made an otherwise repugnant fraud so damn charming. And that perfect mixture of false bravado and charisma he brought to the role are fully on display in a newly unearthed, never-bef0re-seen photo shoot of the terrible Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, featuring him in a series of ridiculous poses.
Entertainment Weekly sharedOpens in a new tab these photos. Incredibly, they’ve been kept from Muggle eyes since Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets was released in 2002 (yeah, 2002!). The film’s director Christopher Columbus said the shoot took place on a bluescreen stage, and that Branagh, who he says is “one of the funniest people” he has ever met, had no problem hamming it up and having a great time.” That’s pretty obvious from these hilarious pictures. He is embracing full Lockhart cheese.
These unearthed Gilderoy Lockhart author photos are a TREAT, fellow #HarryPotterOpens in a new tab fans: https://t.co/6PbAL6Cw8oOpens in a new tab pic.twitter.com/xaTYXcWQTdOpens in a new tab
— Jessica Derschowitz (@jessicasara) October 17, 2018Opens in a new tab
After 16 years, EW released the pictures of a Gilderoy Lockhart’s photoshoot. Kenneth Branagh is a god. #harrypotterOpens in a new tab
(Check them out here: https://t.co/t6pFqClfZIOpens in a new tab) pic.twitter.com/s98FKCN8smOpens in a new tab
— snaps (@mydeerlily) October 18, 2018Opens in a new tab
I can’t pick a favorite. New photos released of Gilderoy Lockhart from @EWOpens in a new tab and you won’t want to miss them. pic.twitter.com/Xlk1UXRs2dOpens in a new tab
— Julie Jo🎃👻 (@enchanted_holly) October 17, 2018Opens in a new tab
Gilderoy Lockhart obviously didn’t do any of these things as he traveled the world stealing the stories of other more talent wizards, but in fairness, what are the odds those wizards looked as good doing heroics as Lockhart does only pretending to have done them?And of course we know why it has taken 16 years for us to see these images–Lockhart forgot he took them.Which of these is your favorite? Tell us why in the comments section below.
Featured Image: Warner Bros.
