In “Harry Potter,” one of the initial magical creatures Harry encounters are the goblins, who manage Gringotts, the wizarding world’s bank. They are distinct from other humanoid beings in the series due to their ability to use magic without wands and their exceptional metalworking skills. Items crafted by goblins are extremely durable and superbly constructed, resulting in their high value and the prestige associated with owning them. Despite some looking down on goblins, they hold a significant role in the history of the wizarding world, acknowledged in textbooks and celebrated on the famous Chocolate Frog cards.

There are ongoing discussions about the depiction of goblins in “Harry Potter” that some feel draw on antisemitic stereotypes. This is because of their physical traits, such as hooked noses, and their control over the wizarding economy, as well as their belief that anything made by goblins is inherently theirs, even when acquired by wizards. This belief is manipulated by Harry when he offers Griphook the genuine Sword of Gryffindor as payment for his assistance. The debate has been reignited by the release of “Hogwarts Legacy,” where goblins are portrayed as adversaries beyond their banking roles.

In “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” Harry’s introduction to Griphook occurs at Gringotts. This goblin character reappears later in the series. In the movie adaptation, Griphook is physically portrayed by the American actor Verne Troyer, famous for his role in “Austin Powers,” while his voice is provided by Warwick Davis, who also plays Professor Filius Flitwick throughout the films.

Though Verne Troyer was cast as Griphook, by the time the goblin reappears in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1” and “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2,” British actor Warwick Davis plays both the body and voice of the character. There are a few reasons speculated as to why Troyer didn’t reprise his role in “Harry Potter.”

The first is the supposed rule set by J.K. Rowling, author of the series, that she wanted only British actors cast. This rule is thought to be why Davis voiced the character initially, and then why the decision was made to recast when the goblin reappeared in the franchise. Of course, Griphook’s long absence from the films may also have been a reason to recast, as Troyer had mostly switched to portraying himself by the end of the early 2000s, when the “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” movies were in production.

There is also speculation that the negative press the actor went through after “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” was part of the decision to recast. Though the press wasn’t about his role in the film, Troyer received attention because of his experience with alcoholism. He almost died from alcohol poisoning in 2002, just a year after “Sorcerer’s Stone” came out. In 2008, Troyer was in the news again when he sued TMZ over the release of a sexually explicit tape involving himself and ex-girlfriend Renae Shrider. While it is not confirmed, some believe that this publicity, in combination with the British actor rule, caused Troyer to not return as Griphook.

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