Weasley Set for Potter Sequel


EDP24 talked with Chris Rankin, who is expected to play Percy Weasley in the Harry Potter movie:

Obsessive secrecy on the part of Warner Brothers prevents Chris from revealing his character, but it was a role he actually suggested he might be suitable for when he first applied for the audition. "Anyone who knows me and knows Harry Potter will probably guess which character I'm playing," he said. "I'm a fifth-year pupil at Hogwarts, it's a substantial role and I'm in most of the scenes."

Chris still has a number of smaller scenes to get in the can, and will be playing a part in an avalanche of publicity due to swamp Britain in the run-up to the film's expected release on November 16. He is also due to line up with his fellow stars at the British premiere. The film, which is expected to follow the plot of the first novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, is directed by Chris Columbus, whose earlier credits include Home Alone and the Robin Williams-in-drag comedy Mrs Doubtfire. Rumoured budgets vary from £100 million to an enormous £164 million.

"I am pleased to say that I am a fan and became addicted from the first chapter of the first book," said Chris. "This is a bit of a dream part for me, to say the least. I think the books' success is down to JK Rowling's style. She writes fantastically and with great humour, but with quite a sinister and mysterious tone at the same time. It just makes the books impossible to put down, whether you're a kid or a grown-up."

Since joining the crew, Chris has got to grips very quickly with the demands of film work - he had to be in the make-up chair at 7.30am, and worked a 12- hour day. "Doing camera work was difficult at first, but fortunately it didn't take long to get used to because it is hammered into you to ignore the camera at all costs," he added.

"It took some getting used to, being in a film with a budget of £164 million. I've come from shows at Northgate where we were working on a shoestring, to something where money doesn't matter."

Chris has also loved meeting the movie's adult stars, which include British film stalwart Dame Maggie Smith as well as former comedian and Cracker star Robbie Coltrane, Julie Walters, Richard Harris, Rick Mayall and Zoe Wannamaker.

"It was a bit daunting at first, but they are all such nice people and treat you as an equal," said Chris. "You get used to sitting in the make-up room and having a perfectly-normal conversation with Zoe Wannamaker in the next seat."

Chris' career prospects have changed slightly. He is now considering treading the boards of the West End, preferably in a rock musical, but is interested in possible film and television work. At least one job is in the bag: he's already been signed up for a Harry Potter sequel.

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