By the time the eighth and final film was released, readers of the Harry Potter book series had learned to let go of their petty complaints about the changes brought about by any adaptation of the books. However, when a series regular character is not only absent, but appears in a notable scene, it raises a lot of questions. One of the most memorable scenes in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows takes place in the Room of Requirement during the Battle of Hogwarts, when Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle join forces with Harry, Ron, and Hermione fights as they try to find one of Voldemort's last remaining Horcruxes. In the film, however, Crabbe was replaced by Blaise Zabini, another character from the series.
In the book, the Slytherin trio displayed impressive displays of dark magic, with Crabbe creating powerful demonic fire that led to his presumed death. So, where is Crabbe as we see all this unfold on the big screen? Why look for Zabini to take his place?
It turns out that actor Jamie Wellett, who played Crabbe, had some off-screen troubles, causing him to lose Crabbe's final scene in the Harry Potter film series. In 2009, Verrett was arrested for growing cannabis at his mother's London home and admitted possession of cannabis and possession of a knife. He was ordered to pay a fine and sentenced to six weeks in a juvenile facility, The Guardian reported.
Then in 2011, the same year Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 was released, his character was replaced and Verrett was arrested again. He took part in the 2011 London riots and was reportedly seen holding petrol bombs. He was not charged despite being seen in photos and videos trying to use a bottle of petrol with an unlit rag, but admitted and was filmed drinking champagne stolen from a supermarket that was looted during the riots. Wellett was jailed for two years on charges of violent disorder, including a concurrent sentence for handling stolen goods.
Although Verrett's first capture eliminated him from the Harry Potter cast, the final film still needed a third Slytherin if the scenes were to unfold in an equally epic way. Rather than go the route of trying to appeal to audiences and cast someone who looks like the original actor, the filmmakers replaced Crabbe with an entirely different character.
Actor Louis Cordice won the role of Zabini, but he was put in Crabbe's place, confusing viewers who had read the original novel. People who don't read may not be aware of this shift unless they see news coverage of Wellett's arrest.
So no, you're not crazy when you swear you remember Crabbe being the third Slytherin to fight Harry, Ron, and Hermione in the Chamber of Secrets. Like Crabbe, Verrett ran into some trouble, and the film's producers had to make a subtle transition from the past, although fans hope to see Crabbe one last time in the final Harry Potter film.
Image: Warner Bros., Getty
