Remus Lupin: A Harry Potter Favorite

News Type: Opinion — Fri Jul 6, 2007 11:40 AM EDT

entertainment, books, movie, harry-potter, favorite, werewolf, charactor, remus-lupin

Adam Hobson

Lupin and Harry

A fan's interpretation of Remus Lupin

Lupin gets the hot chick with purple hair. What a stud.

As many of us read the various Harry Potter books or watch the movies, we come to favor certain characters more than others. Some stick with the main characters and follow Harry, Ron or Hermione, but others dig deeper into the detailed universe and find that some of the background players are far more interesting. As a follower of the series, I must admit that I have a favorite character as well, and he is Remus Lupin.

Lupin first appears in the third book of the series, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. He is introduced as the new defense against the dark arts professor, but we soon learn that he is formerly one of James Potter's best friends and a werewolf.

Now werewolves are far from my favorite fantasy creatures, but I have learned from Oz in Buffy the Vampire Slayer that werewolves can be quite cool. Lupin is one of those kickass wolves.

I'm a fan of his portrayal in both the books and on film. He is a calm, reasoning character with utmost loyalty to Dumbledore and Harry. Despite his wild wolf side, as human he is one of the stronger and rational of characters.

One of my favorite scenes in all of the movies is just Harry and Lupin talking about his parents on a bridge during Prisoner of Azkaban. This is partly because I think one of the weaknesses of the movies is their frantic pacing and this is one instance where the movie takes time to catch its breath. But is also just a nice, subtle scene between Harry and Lupin bonding over the memories of his parents.

Lupin also appears to be one of the stronger wizards in the series. He is able to do quite a bit of magic sans wand, and both times when he battled against Death Eaters in the ministry and at Hogwarts, he came out relatively unscathed.

Last but not least, Lupin also gets the girl, in Nymphadora Tonks, a metamorphmagus Auror, who favors hot pink hair.

So add it all up, a strong powerful wizard, rational but with a wild side, with strong ties of loyalty to the good guys and he gets a hot chick. Now that's my kind of character!

So now the relevant question, who's your favorite Harry Potter character and of course, why?

19 Votes
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{"commentId":842833,"authorDomain":"thevineofhob"}

Adam Hobson

Oh yeah, Harry, Ron and Hermione don't count as favorites. Too easy...

{"commentId":842833,"threadId":"122281","contentId":"821707","authorDomain":"thevineofhob"}

2 votes

#1 - Fri Jul 6, 2007 11:46 AM EDT

{"commentId":842879,"authorDomain":"deatienza"}

Eric Atienza

Actually Lupin has always been one of my favorites as well. Probably my single favorite of Harry's mentor/guardians.

{"commentId":842879,"threadId":"122281","contentId":"821707","authorDomain":"deatienza"}

4 votes

#2 - Fri Jul 6, 2007 12:00 PM EDT

{"commentId":842911,"authorDomain":"thevineofhob"}

Adam Hobson

It just came to me, he's basically Harry's Obi Wan.

{"commentId":842911,"threadId":"122281","contentId":"821707","authorDomain":"thevineofhob"}

3 votes

#2.1 - Fri Jul 6, 2007 12:09 PM EDT

{"commentId":842995,"authorDomain":"yasmin"}

yasmin

If he were Obi Wan, that's never a good sign. Awesome character, but doomed.

I love Lupin, but I'm a bigger fan of Snape.

{"commentId":842995,"threadId":"122281","contentId":"821707","authorDomain":"yasmin"}

3 votes

#2.2 - Fri Jul 6, 2007 12:35 PM EDT

{"commentId":843104,"authorDomain":"thevineofhob"}

Adam Hobson

Then maybe Lupin and Sirius are both Obi Wan to harry, Lupin does the teaching, Sirius the dying.

Dumbledore can be Yoda...

Now the shock will be if Harry and Hermione turn out to be twins separated at birth ;-)

{"commentId":843104,"threadId":"122281","contentId":"821707","authorDomain":"thevineofhob"}

2 votes

#2.3 - Fri Jul 6, 2007 1:11 PM EDT

{"commentId":843115,"authorDomain":"mstickel"}

Mike Stickel

I'd think of Dumbledor as more of Harry's Obi Wan than Lupin. Then again, this is only a much better fit after reading the 6th book, until which point Lupin certainly does fit the bill.

Until this very moment I've avoided thinking of which character is my favorite, mostly because I don't know if I can really choose one. The only thing I do know regarding favorites is that none of the major characters, Ron, Hermione, and Harry are in the running — well, maybe Ron because I can associate with him growing up a little more than the others.

At this point I'm really liking Alastor Moody and Sirius Black.

{"commentId":843115,"threadId":"122281","contentId":"821707","authorDomain":"mstickel"}

2 votes

#2.4 - Fri Jul 6, 2007 1:13 PM EDT

{"commentId":843069,"authorDomain":"restso"}

Restso

Neville, with his unfortunate past and klutzy habits has been my favorite for a while. I keep a small hope alive that he is the one that will fulfill the prophecy, but don't imagine it to be likely.

Also, the posse of Ron's brothers have always kept me amused, I love how they've all gone off to find their own way in the world (with the exception of Percy, of course).

{"commentId":843069,"threadId":"122281","contentId":"821707","authorDomain":"restso"}

3 votes

#3 - Fri Jul 6, 2007 12:58 PM EDT

{"commentId":843092,"authorDomain":"thevineofhob"}

Adam Hobson

Well Percy did find his own way, it was just the wrong way ;-)

{"commentId":843092,"threadId":"122281","contentId":"821707","authorDomain":"thevineofhob"}

4 votes

#3.1 - Fri Jul 6, 2007 1:08 PM EDT

{"commentId":843118,"authorDomain":"mstickel"}

Mike Stickel

mmm, yeah, can't wait to see what Neville does in this last book. :)

{"commentId":843118,"threadId":"122281","contentId":"821707","authorDomain":"mstickel"}

4 votes

#3.2 - Fri Jul 6, 2007 1:14 PM EDT

{"commentId":843302,"authorDomain":"thevineofhob"}

Adam Hobson

I kind of want JK to just completely surprise everyone and do stuff like have Neville be the final hero, and let no good guy die. I mean with all the speculation of who will die, wouldn't the biggest surprise at this point be if no one died?

{"commentId":843302,"threadId":"122281","contentId":"821707","authorDomain":"thevineofhob"}

3 votes

#3.3 - Fri Jul 6, 2007 2:31 PM EDT

{"commentId":843264,"authorDomain":"stevencwatts"}

Steve Watts

Lupin was a favorite of mine. I loved Prisoner of Azkaban when I read it and he was a major part of that, along with the twist of Sirius Black. Actually, one of the major disappointments for me in the Azkaban movie adaptation was how they didn't really explain the entire history Lupin had with Harry's father.

When Harry went to talk to him at the end, I was sure that that would finally be the moment that he spells out everything for him. The nature of who "Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs" were, how all of his friends had become animagi to protect and be with their friend, and how that explains the form Harry's Patronus takes. It was really kind of a let down how they seemed to make you rely on having read the books to get all the depth inside, but we were given an overlong "woohooo!" flight sequence on Buckbeak.

... but all that griping aside, yes, Lupin is great, and I love who they cast for him. If they kill him in Hallows, it will be hard to find words to describe my anger.

{"commentId":843264,"threadId":"122281","contentId":"821707","authorDomain":"stevencwatts"}

3 votes

#4 - Fri Jul 6, 2007 2:20 PM EDT

{"commentId":843289,"authorDomain":"thevineofhob"}

Adam Hobson

I've never really minded when they leave stuff out of the movies, because I always have the books to go back to. I love them both equally. Just as long as they don't outright contradict each other I am fine. I just figure the book is one person telling the story and the movie someone else. Each will have a bit of their own viewpoint and not tell the exact same story.

{"commentId":843289,"threadId":"122281","contentId":"821707","authorDomain":"thevineofhob"}

3 votes

#4.1 - Fri Jul 6, 2007 2:28 PM EDT

{"commentId":843316,"authorDomain":"stevencwatts"}

Steve Watts

Yeah, and I had read the book before seeing the movie. It just felt like people who only saw the movie missed out on some of the experience, and I didn't get that feeling with the two movies that had preceded it. Maybe just because there was less content to shove into a 2.5 hour window, but some part of me feels empathy for those who haven't read the books - and never will - and are therefore missing the richness of how all of these things tie together.

Speaking of differences between the movies, am I the only one who far prefers the old Dumbledore? I know they didn't have much of a choice but to recast him, but the new one just doesn't do it for me. He's so loud and brash, and I always picture Dumbledore as a more soft-spoken old man. He doesn't shout because he doesn't have to, he's commanding without it.

{"commentId":843316,"threadId":"122281","contentId":"821707","authorDomain":"stevencwatts"}

2 votes

#4.2 - Fri Jul 6, 2007 2:35 PM EDT

{"commentId":843453,"authorDomain":"thevineofhob"}

Adam Hobson

Great point about Dumbledore. I don't really care for the new one, though I didn't care all that much for the old one either. I think his casting is the weakest, while Hagrid's, Snape's, and Hermione's the strongest.

I also think before these movies are over they need to find a role for Sean Connery, you know, since they are finding roles for every other British actor. I think he'd be cool as the Minister from the 6th book.

{"commentId":843453,"threadId":"122281","contentId":"821707","authorDomain":"thevineofhob"}

2 votes

#4.3 - Fri Jul 6, 2007 3:14 PM EDT

{"commentId":843473,"authorDomain":"deatienza"}

Eric Atienza

Though if he wouldn't come out of retirement to be Indiana Jones' father again, I doubt he'd come out for Harry Potter.

{"commentId":843473,"threadId":"122281","contentId":"821707","authorDomain":"deatienza"}

2 votes

#4.4 - Fri Jul 6, 2007 3:20 PM EDT

{"commentId":843402,"authorDomain":"darkside"}

Mykola Bilokonsky

I've always liked Draco Malfoy's henchmen, whose names elude me at the moment (Crabb was it? And who was the other...?). I like how no matter how despicable some characters are they always have a little posse. It reminds me a bit of Sifer in FFVIII with his two friends. I'd like to see some redemption for that crowd.

{"commentId":843402,"threadId":"122281","contentId":"821707","authorDomain":"darkside"}

2 votes

#5 - Fri Jul 6, 2007 2:59 PM EDT

{"commentId":843461,"authorDomain":"thevineofhob"}

Adam Hobson

Goyle was the other.

I almost feel sorry for them. They don't seem to be smart enough to even realize that they chose the wrong side. And from what I remember, neither seemed to be genuinely cruel, they just did what Malfoy told them to and he is just pure wicked.

{"commentId":843461,"threadId":"122281","contentId":"821707","authorDomain":"thevineofhob"}

2 votes

#5.1 - Fri Jul 6, 2007 3:16 PM EDT

{"commentId":843581,"authorDomain":"Juliet"}

Juliet

He's actually quite hot!! Yeah, he's one of the rarely-seen-but-when-he-is-he's-amazing sort of character!

{"commentId":843581,"threadId":"122281","contentId":"821707","authorDomain":"Juliet"}

1 vote

#6 - Fri Jul 6, 2007 3:57 PM EDT

{"commentId":843645,"authorDomain":"wood-s"}

trex-138069

Lupin is one of the most likeable of the male characters, I agree, but the girl Potter fans need a role model too, so I'll pick -- Fleur! Yes, the "legally blonde" Elle Wood of the wizarding world -- or at least that's how the Weasleys thought of her, but I had a feeling they were being way too hard on her. And sure enough, she came through magnificently at the end.

Let's not forget either that she was good enough to represent her school in the Tri-Wizard Tournament, even if she came in last. But that was because, unknown to Harry, the bad guys had rigged it in his favor.

{"commentId":843645,"threadId":"122281","contentId":"821707","authorDomain":"wood-s"}

3 votes

#7 - Fri Jul 6, 2007 4:28 PM EDT

{"commentId":843701,"authorDomain":"thevineofhob"}

Adam Hobson

I have to say that if I'm going for a female character it would have to be Tonks, the pink hair does it for me.

{"commentId":843701,"threadId":"122281","contentId":"821707","authorDomain":"thevineofhob"}

2 votes

#7.1 - Fri Jul 6, 2007 4:54 PM EDT

{"commentId":843730,"authorDomain":"spiffie"}

spiffie

Not Luna?

{"commentId":843730,"threadId":"122281","contentId":"821707","authorDomain":"spiffie"}

3 votes

#7.2 - Fri Jul 6, 2007 5:07 PM EDT

{"commentId":844360,"authorDomain":"mstickel"}

Mike Stickel

oh, c'mon people, for a female role model the only option is Ginny Weasley. :)

{"commentId":844360,"threadId":"122281","contentId":"821707","authorDomain":"mstickel"}

3 votes

#7.3 - Fri Jul 6, 2007 10:57 PM EDT

{"commentId":843760,"authorDomain":"lele"}

Leah M

I think my favorite character(s) would come down to Hagrid and/or the Weasley twins. Hagrid is a complex character, even though he doesn't seem like it at first glance. I love how the twins are always up to something and as they get older their plans and schemes get more complex and more serious. If I was their age, I'd totally have a crush on them... haha.

Mmm, now I want to re-read - good thing it's Friday! :-)

{"commentId":843760,"threadId":"122281","contentId":"821707","authorDomain":"lele"}

3 votes

#8 - Fri Jul 6, 2007 5:25 PM EDT

{"commentId":843766,"authorDomain":"spiffie"}

spiffie

I like the twins a lot, too. I think their casting in the movies was inspired.

{"commentId":843766,"threadId":"122281","contentId":"821707","authorDomain":"spiffie"}

3 votes

#8.1 - Fri Jul 6, 2007 5:27 PM EDT

{"commentId":850113,"authorDomain":"restso"}

Restso

Hagrid is a complex character, even though he doesn't seem like it at first glance.

Yeah, Hagrid definitely makes my favorites list too :-)

{"commentId":850113,"threadId":"122281","contentId":"821707","authorDomain":"restso"}

#8.2 - Mon Jul 9, 2007 9:48 AM EDT

{"commentId":844428,"authorDomain":"wbrianwhite"}

Brian White

Both of the Malfoys are favorites of mine in the movies, though I don't like either of them in the books. Weird. I guess I just like the actors.

{"commentId":844428,"threadId":"122281","contentId":"821707","authorDomain":"wbrianwhite"}

2 votes

#9 - Fri Jul 6, 2007 11:36 PM EDT

{"canLink":false,"threadId":"122281","isPrivate":false}

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Remus Lupin: A Harry Potter Favorite

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