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Potter Stars Chat!

Journalists from all over the world flew into London on Tuesday (not too many on broomsticks, though) - and for a very good reason. The principal cast members of Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire gathered to chat to the press about the new film, which is released on 18 November.

Our own Greg Taylor was also Pottering about in London for a short spell that day - but long enough to both see the new movie and listen to the kids.


back row: Katie Leung (Cho Chang),
Stanislav Ianevski (Victor Krum),
Clemence Poesy (Fleur Delacor)
and Robert Pattinson (Cedric Diggory)
front row: Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley),
Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter)
and Emma Watson (Hermione Granger)

The film is, of course, based on JK Rowling's fourth book. It's the biggest novel of the movies that have been made so far - but a complete adaptation was out of the question. To make the movie an acceptable length, Director Mike Newell has had to make some sacrifices and faithful fans will notice some omissions.

But despite those cuts (the absence of Winky being of particular disappointment to me), the movie is an absolute delight. Even those who aren't so keen on Harry or the wizarding world will find it enjoyable. It's pretty much a traditional thriller, but Mike has injected plenty of comedy and fun into a plot that's ridden with suspense and danger. There are loads of laugh out loud moments!

Watch out for our full review of the film closer to the release date.

The conference was held in the Merchant Taylor's Hall in the heart of London's financial district. The large room in which hundreds of the world's press had gathered was not unlike a room you might find at Hogwarts - panelled walls, plush carpets and ancient portraits on the walls - although they remained completely static!

Eventually, the door opened and in walked some of the most famous kids in the world.

As well as Dan Radcliffe (Harry), Rupert Grint (Ron) and Emma Watson (Hermione), new cast members Stanislav Ianevski (Viktor Krum), Clemence Poesy (Fleur Delacor), Katie Leung (Cho Chang) and Robert Pattinson (Cedric Diggory) were there, along with Mike Newell and the film's Producer David Heyman.

Dan fielded most of the questions and gave witty and confident answers to all of them. Like Rupert and Emma, he seems very much at ease when talking to the press.

So, what was said? Here are some highlights:

Interestingly, Dan, Rupert and Emma don't get advance copies of the books - they only get them when they're published. For Harry Potter And The Half Blood Prince, Emma queued up with everyone else, but Dan revealed he'd chickened out and bought his using Amazon!

David Heyman revealed that JK Rowling has, however, chatted to Alan Rickman (Snape) and Ralph Fiennes (Voldemort) about what plans she has for their characters... so it's probably worth keeping an eye on them for any hints their performances might give about how everything works out in the last book!




Asked about the stronger certificate for this film - it's a 12A - Emma Watson said she thought that it was appropriate because the film has a darker tone in comparison to the earlier ones and, just as in the book, features violence and death.

The new cast members were asked what they felt about working on the film. All were positive - Clemence said they'd been made to feel very welcome, Stan said he enjoyed every moment and would love to do it again, and Katie summed the whole experience up as "amazing".

Inevitably, the cast were asked if they were involved with anyone romantically. But none of them are - Emma gave a resolute "no" in response to the question, Dan confirmed he was currently single, and Rupert said he was learning to drive so just didn't have the time right now. "We're all sad, sad single people really", laughed Dan.

A question about music revealed that Rupert's currently into AC/DC and The Killers; Dan likes indie bands including The Rakes, Dogs and Louis XIV, and Emma said her most recent CD purchase was Imogen Heap.

Director Mike Newell told of how he started a fight with Oliver and James Phelps, who play the Weasley twins! He wasn't convinced about the intensity of their fight scene in the film (they end up scrapping when an ageing potion gives somewhat unexpected results), and so dived in to demonstrate exactly what he wanted. He broke a rib in the process!

Finally Producer David Heyman revealed a little about the next film, Harry Potter And The Order of The Phoenix, on which production starts in February. The actress to play Luna Lovegood has yet to be found, although he confirmed recent reports that top actress Imelda Staunton is set to play the horrendous Dolores Umbridge. Dan confirmed that he, Rupert and Emma would be back playing their usual roles in the fifth film, but that nothing had yet been agreed for films six and seven.

Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire is released on 18 November.