The scar make-up was applied to Radcliffe’s forehead a total of 5,800 times throughout the series.ġ8. In a departure from the American editions, Rowling intervened to ensure that Harry’s scar was placed off-centre on his forehead, rather than in the middle as depicted on the US book covers. Rather than just switch back to the original for the film, every scene featuring the original title “Philosopher’s Stone” in the dialogue had to be shot twice, to replace it with “Sorcerer’s Stone.”ġ7. The American title of the book is Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone.
The series begins in earnest with this instant bank holiday TV classic, taking 11-year-old Harry from the suburbs of Surrey to the halls of Hogwarts.ġ6. Rowling was offered the part of Lily Potter, but she turned down all cameos that were offered to her as she felt she was not cut out to be an actor, “even one who just has to stand there and wave.” Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone (2001) Only 14 actors appear in all eight Potter films and they are: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Robbie Coltrane, Alan Rickman, Tom Felton, (Draco Malfoy) Matthew Lewis, (Neville Longbottom) Devon Murray, (Seamus Finnigan) James and Oliver Phelps, (Fred and George) Josh Herdman, (Goyle) Warwick Davis, (Professor Flitwick and Griphook the goblin) and Geraldine Somerville (Lily Potter).ġ5.
Thankfully, she has since made a full recovery.ġ4. Smith battled breast cancer during the filming of the sixth installment and was able to reprise her role, wearing a wig while undergoing chemotherapy. Maggie Smith was Rowling’s first choice to play Professor McGonagall.
Richard Harris was cast as Professor Dumbledore for the first two films, he sadly succumbed to Hodgkins’ disease in August 2002, four months before the release of Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets, his final film performance.ġ3. Rowling’s rule of British and Irish actors only was only waived by Austin Powers star Verne Troyer, whose American accent was dubbed over, and Eleanor Columbus, the director’s daughter, who had a cameo as Hufflepuff student Susan Bones in the Sorting Hat scene.ġ2. Robin Williams, Rosie O’Donnell, and Drew Barrymore were all interested in taking roles, with the studio apparently favoring Williams to play Hagrid, but were all ruled out because they were American.ġ1. Throughout the series, he’s doubled by 6’10” rugby player and Celebrity Masterchef finalist Martin Bayfield in reverse shots, and his hut existed across two sets – one regular-sized and one with larger props to make them look enormous to the other, smaller characters.ġ0. This was a big part of him winning over Rowling, and the pair exchanged emails about the stories throughout the writing, on subjects including the 12 uses of dragon’s blood.ĩ. Screenwriter Steve Kloves, who wrote all but one of the films, says his favorite character was Hermione.
He’s the only cast member who knows what happens to his character at the end in these early movies and with that in mind, it’s fascinating to watch him perform.Ĩ. Several of Rowling’s ideal casting choices came through, and despite the secrecy around the plot of her as-yet-unreleased books, she told Alan Rickman how Snape’s story would pan out in advance.