As Gilderoy Lockhart, Kenneth Branagh played a famous wizarding writer with a penchant for deception and ex-aggeration. The one thing he did not lack, however, was charisma, as evidenced in this unearthed author photo shoot. 'Chamber of Secrets' director Chris Columbus walks us through the gallery.

Flying High
“We shot all of these on a bluescreen stage, and Ken had no problem hamming it up and having a great time,” recalls Columbus.

Big Fella
Look at that catch! “[Kenneth Branagh] is one of the funniest people I’ve ever met—he has a great sense of humor, and he was up to it,” Columbus says.

Say Cheese, pt. 1
That smile’s got just the right amount of smug. “These photos were meant to be tongue-in-cheek and very funny,” explains Columbus. Mission accomplished.

Say Cheese, pt. 2
“But my favorite moment [with Lockhart] — it’s one of my favorite scenes in the movie — is when Ken [Branagh] and Dan [Radcliffe] are signing the photos in his office,” Columbus reveals of a scene from The Chamber of Secrets. “I loved that.”

Over There!
Does Columbus have a faorite photo? Sadly, he can’t choose. “They all made me laugh,” he concedes.

Ahoy!

Lockhart is commonly known as a fraud, but in conclusion: These photos are a serious accomplishment. Get this man another book deal!