The Kids of 'Harry Potter'

Source unknown, Nov 12, 2001

They're the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew for the next generation: Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley. For newcomers, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint, they are the roles of a lifetime.

Daniel Radcliffe says, “It was great and it was really exciting."

But bringing the triumphant trio to the big screen's "Harry Potter" was an unparalleled undertaking. It wasn't the enormous amount of special effects, like these giant moving chess pieces, or the high expectations from book fans that had producers nervous. No, the trouble was Harry.

Author J.K. Rowling says, “It was a very hard part to cast. They just couldn't find Harry."

Rowling and director Chris Columbus scoured all of Britain, but they were held spellbound by 11-year-old Daniel Radcliffe, who Columbus spotted in the BBC production of "David Copperfield." Then, the boy who would be Harry magically appeared to producers taking in a London play.

Columbus says, “Daniel Radcliffe was sitting a couple of rows behind them."

Meanwhile, filmmakers were hunting high and low for Ron and Hermione. Emma says, “I had never done any professional acting, I’d only done school plays."

Rupert, Emma, and Dan's efforts ultimately brought them before Chris Columbus and the result was magical. Chris says, “There was just an amazing chemistry when they were on screen together for the first time."

"I was overcome by CHRIS COLUMBUS (the director) because he is fantastic with children!" Says Robbie Coltrane (Hagrid) "He would get them in little huddles whispering. Then you'd hear "and action," and he'd get it out of them. The children's performances were astonishing!" 

The shock of it all won't wear off anytime soon for Daniel, Emma, and Rupert. The trio could star in as many as six "Harry Potter" sequels.

Daniel says, “If I’m still enjoying them as much as I am now, I’ll be glad to do them all."