On November 17, fans will be sporting wands, newly purchased wizardry apparel and anticipated smiles as they pile into theaters across the country preparing themselves for the premier of part one of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.” For nearly the 10th time in a row, they will be seeing Harry, Hermione, and Ron grow up right infront of their eyes, as they prepare for their journey against Lord Voldemort.
However, it isn’t just the characters that have grown up in front of our eyes. Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint have grown tremendously as actors and public figures.
But in a year or so, their beloved journey with avid Harry Potter fans will end. So what next? What do these talented young actors hope to accomplish after they end their claim to fame in the HP films? And how do they feel about it all ending?
“Somehow I wasn’t prepared for how emotional it was,” Rupert Grint, who plays Ron Weasley, told Entertainment Weekly. “It has really hit home how much it all meant to us.”
At the end of filming, the three stars celebrated with a presentation of slide shows, showing how much they have grown up in the past years. Grint has starred in several other films such as “Cherry Bomb” and “Driving Lessons.”
Grint definitly hopes to grab more roles and is currently anticipating the release of his current film, “Wild Target,” where he stars opposite Emily Blunt and fellow Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows co-star, Bill Nighy.
Sporting a trendy pixie-like haircut, Emma Watson, is hoping that a brand new modeling gig will help her career move further along, away from the persona of Hermione Granger that she has carried for so long.
In a July interview with USA Today, Watson said, “My way of hoping people would see me differently was through modeling. I worked very hard and did a lot of modeling shoots. Burberry offered me the campaign. That has moved me away a little bit.”
Watson also stared in a made-for-TV movie, “Ballet Shoes,” in 2007, and lent her voice to the part of Princess Pea in “The Tale of Despereaux.” She is currently filming “A Week with Marilyn,” starring opposite Michelle Williams.
Last, but definitly not least, is the young man who is the leader of this trio. He portrays the most popular ficticious character in film and in literature. It is hard to believe that Daniel Radcliffe began his long and glorious journey as Harry Potter at the tender age of 11.
Radcliffe is very excited and hopeful of his future plans, which are a bit on the extraordinary side.
Radcliffe told Details magazine in 2008 that his ideal role would be gender bending. “I think a part of me would love to play a drag queen, because it would be an excuse to wear loads of make-up.”
However, for right now, just call Radcliffe a “Broadway baby.” He is heading to New York City to star in broadway’s latest play, “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.”
With the end coming near, many fans will shed a tear. Emma, Rupert, and Daniel, as much as they may want to shy away from their magical characters, will always be our Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, and Harry Potter.
Angela Thomas is a third-year student majoring in English and minoring in web technology. She can be reached at AT683005@wcupa.edu.