Method Acting Before Hogwarts
When Alfonso Cuarón signed on to direct Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, he asked Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint to write essays about their characters. In true-to-character fashion, Emma Watson (Hermione) submitted a meticulous 16-page paper, Daniel Radcliffe (Harry) turned in a succinct one-page summary, and Rupert Grint (Ron) didn’t submit anything at all.
"No Dragons Were Harmed"
At the end of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, a cheeky message in the credits reassures viewers: "No dragons were harmed in the making of this movie." Clearly, someone on the production team had a great sense of humor!
Family Ties on Set
Did you know Mad-Eye Moody and Bill Weasley are related in real life? Brendan Gleeson, who played the eccentric Auror, is the father of Domhnall Gleeson, who brought the charming eldest Weasley brother to life.
Rupert Grint’s Unique Audition
To stand out in his audition, Rupert Grint channeled his inner comedian. He dressed up as his female drama teacher and rapped his introduction, starting with, "Hello there, my name is Rupert Grint, I hope you like this and don’t think I stink." His bold move clearly worked!
The Many Faces (or Wings) of Hedwig
Hedwig, Harry’s loyal owl, was actually portrayed by three male snowy owls throughout the films: Gizmo, Ook, and Sprout. Their skillful performances truly brought this beloved character to life.
A Different Trelawney?
Tilda Swinton was reportedly considered for the role of Professor Trelawney, but scheduling conflicts kept her from joining the magical cast. Thankfully, Emma Thompson stepped in and delivered an unforgettable performance as the eccentric Divination teacher.
