The
Harry Potter books, introduced only a few years ago, created by author
J.K. Rowling have gone over huge all over the world, entrancing children and adults alike. In fact, the first book,
Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone, is now a film that will be coming out in theaters on November 16, 2001.
Starring as
Harry Potter is British actor
Daniel Radcliffe, who starred as the young
David Copperfield in the 1999
BBC production of the
Charles Dickens classic. A co-star from this production as
Betsey Trotwood, veteran actress
Maggie Smith, plays
Professor McGonagall in the film. You can expect Smith's naturally excellent performance to get her another
Oscar.
Harry's friend
Ron Weasley will be played by
Rupert Grint, in his first role as a professional actor.
Emma Watson, also previously unheard of, will play
Hermione Granger, while their friend
Neville Longbottom will be played by
Matthew Lewis. Ron's brothers
Fred and
George Weasley will be played by brothers
Oliver and
James Phelps, and playing brother
Percy will be
Chris Rankin. Playing Harry's
Quidditch team captain
Oliver Wood is Sean Biggerstaff, while
Draco Malfoy's hench-guys Gregory Goyle and Vincent Crabbe will be played by Joshua Herdman and James Waylett, respectively. Out of all the students at Hogwarts, actor
Tom Felton as
Draco Malfoy seems to have the most previous professional acting experience, and can be seen in
Anna and the King. In smaller roles as students will be Will Theakston as
Marcus Flint, Emily Dale as
Katie Bell, Scott Fearn as
Terence Higgs, Katharine Nicholson as
Pansy Parkinson, Bonnie Wright as
Ginny Weasley, Alfie Enoch as
Dean Thomas, and Devon Murray as
Seamus Finnegan.
As head of
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry,
Albus Dumbledore will be brilliantly played by
Richard Harris, who has acted several great roles, including
Paddy O'Neill in
Patriot Games and
Marcus Aurelius in
Gladiator.
Alan Rickman will once again play a terrific bad guy as
Harry's nemesis
Professor Severus Snape, following his roles of the
Sheriff of Nottingham in
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and
Hans Gruber in
Die Hard. The key role of
Professor Quirrel will be carried by actor
Ian Hart. Also on the Hogwarts staff are
Madame Hooch (Zoe Wanamaker),
Argus Filch the caretaker (David Bradley,
Blow Dry), and
Professor Flitwick (Verne Troyer).
Playing Harry's friend and
Hogwarts gamekeeper
Rubeus Hagrid is
Robbie Coltrane, of the
James Bond films
The World is Not Enough and
GoldenEye.
Richard Griffiths and
Fiona Shaw are sure to bring much frustration and angst to Harry's life as
Uncle Vernon and
Aunt Petunia, his only living relatives along with their son
Dudley Dursley played by
Harry Melling. The Weasley matriarch
Molly will be played by
Julie Walters. Harry's dead parents,
James and
Lily Potter are played by
Adrian Rawlins and
Geraldine Somerville, while his owl
Hedwig will be played by Ook the
Snowy Owl.
John Cleese of
Monty Python fame plays
Nearly Headless Nick in what is sure to be a smashing performance.
Peeves the Poltergeist will be played by Rik Mayall, while
Leslie Phillips of
Tomb Raider will be the voice of the
Sorting Hat. In a smaller role, actor
John Hurt, star of
Love and Death on Long Island, will play
Mr. Ollivander, the man who gives Harry his first wand.
Directing is
Chris Columbus, whose other accomplishments include
Home Alone and
Mrs. Doubtfire. The screenplay was written by
Steven Kloves, who also wrote the screenplay for the
Michael Douglas/
Tobey Maguire film
Wonder Boys. The score for this film was written by veteran composer
John Williams, whose award-winning themes include those from
Star Wars,
Superman,
Saving Private Ryan, and
Jaws.
In addition to the movie, watch for
J. K. Rowling's next
Harry Potter book,
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. After the thrilling ending of book number 4,
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, this one's sure to be flying off the shelves to be devoured by hungry readers everywhere...