Jan
Dec
The Harry Potter Interviews – Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint!
With fifth Potter movie Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix about to hit UK cinema screens, David Savage went to the press conference in London, then chatted to Daniel Radcliffe about art and theatre, and Rupert Grint about golf and ice cream! Here’s our report…
On the morning of Monday 25 June 2007, the day that Britain will have its worst storms in decades and Sheffield will be submerged underwater, a large group of international journalist types – and me – are sat in a big room in County Hall by the Thames in London. It looks like the House of Commons, but the witchy broomsticks scattered about make it clear that it’s not boring old politicians we’re waiting for. Nope, this is the press conference for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, hosted by That Ben Shepherd Off TV, and there’s a buzz in the air because all the major young cast members are about to arrive, along with the director, producer and writer.
When they do, it’s interesting to note the differences between Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint who sit together. Daniel’s smart with suit and tie, buzzes with nervous energy, talks lots and isn’t just make-you-smirk-from-time-to-time funny but actually spit-out-your-crisps laugh-out-loud funny, and could easily have a career as a stand-up comic. Whereas Rupert is casual, laid back, a teen of few words, and has a quieter sense of humour, a deep grin often creasing his face as he happily watches Daniel get tangled up in his rapid-fire monologues.
[…]
Next, it’s time to chat with Rupert Grint. He’s as chilled out as ever, friendly and fun to speak to.
Rupert, how did you find making Driving Lessons compared to making the Potter films. Like Daniel’s December Boys it was quite low budget…
Yeah, it was really two extremes. Driving Lessons had such a low budget. We just filmed it round London. It was really simple and I enjoyed it. We didn’t do too many takes – usually just about two takes. About five scenes a day. It’s such a different way of working; quite cool. And it was nice to be in such an atmosphere – not full of magical creatures. Dragons and stuff like that!
Which of the two types of film would you prefer to make in future?
I don’t know, really. I did like it, yeah. But it’s a lot of fun doing all the visual effects stuff, too, ’cause it’s really cool to look back and watch the film at the end. There’s one scene in the new Potter that’s just out there really, where we’re flying through London. It’s really wicked, and I do love stuff like that. I do like that side of film.
Is it true you’ve bought an ice cream van?
(NODS) It’s quite strange really. I’ve always been into the ice cream industry, and I’ve just got an ice cream van, yeah. It’s got two freezers and lots of ice cream in the back. It’s lots of fun driving it about.
Which ice cream van jingle does it play?
It’s hard to find one, actually. I can plug it into my MP3 player and play what I want, but it’s hard to find a good ice cream jingle.
Do you park then drive off when the local kids come for ice creams?
Yeah! You get a lot of disappointed children following you round.
There’s a road movie in that. You setting off on an adventure in your ice cream van…
Yeah! And it’s also a back up plan in case the acting doesn’t work out.
What else are you into?
I’ve got quite a few interests. When I left school I limited my boundaries a bit, I suppose. But I’ve always been into art.
Did you leave before A Levels?
Yeah, I left at 16. I could always go back… but I don’t see it, really!
Is it true you’re into golf?
Yeah, I am into golf. I’ve just been getting into it recently.
What’s the best golfing tip you’ve ever been given?
The best tip?!
Aren’t golfers always swapping golfing tips?
Yeah. Well, the most important thing is to keep your head down when you’re going through the swings. I never thought I’d get into it, but I really enjoy it.
Do you buy any of the golfing magazines?
I have bought a few, yeah!
It’s that bad, then?
Yeah. But there’s so much equipment involved!
You’re into music, too, aren’t you?
Yeah, I like music. I play the didgeridoo. I got a little CD that taught me – but I don’t really know what to do with it. I haven’t mastered it yet. I can make a noise with it. I can sound like Rolf Harris.
Which bands do you like?
I’ve got wide tastes. I like the Arctic Monkeys and a lot of new bands. I go to a lot of gigs.
On your travels, which country has the most intense Harry Potter fans?
It varies. The British ones aren’t as forward or loud as the American ones. But the Japanese are really crazy. I went a couple of years ago – it was really great.
Have you seen any of the films dubbed into Japanese?
Yeah, they ran them on TV there. It was cool. You couldn’t tell it was dubbed. It really looked like I was speaking Japanese.
When a new cast member like Evanna Lynch (as Luna Lovegood) joins the set, how do you make them feel like one of the family – because you must all have bonded so much over the years.
We don’t really do anything in particular. But Evanna fitted in really well. She knows the books so well, everyone speaks to her to find out stuff! It’s good for us when there’s someone new ’cause it freshens things up for us.
When the last Potter film wraps, there’ll surely be quite a big vacuum in your life – will it be hard to deal with for a while with when it all ends?
Definitely, yes. It’s been such a massive part of my life. Every year I’ve had the same consistent routine.
And you spend much more time in the Harry Potter world than out of it…?
Definitely, yeah. It will be weird not to do it, really. Hopefully other stuff will come up. But I’m gonna miss it. It’s been really fun and I’ve met some really cool people and done some really cool stuff.
Another writer asks Rupert if it’s true that he’s scared of spiders and he shudders – “yeah – spiders. Really bad. I don’t like ‘em at all” – so how did he cope with facing the whopping spider in Prisoner of Azkaban? He says he’s lucky he didn’t have to face any real ones, but adds “I’m not really scared of massive ones. Just the little ones that can crawl on you.”
So if you got into your ice cream van one pleasant morning and found a Black Widow perched on the Raspberry Ripple, how would you cope?
Oh, that’d ruin the whole thing. That would totally put me off it…
Original article found here: Popcorn | June 25th, 2007
Dec
Rupert Grint Talks Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Grint’s Busy Working on the Fifth Film of the Series
A Mini-Sneak Peek at the Upcoming Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: “There’s a lot of really cool scenes in this one actually. We’re just doing all the major fight scenes and little death eaters and Lord Voldemort comes back. It’s a lot darker this one, so it should be good.”
Grint confirmed Harry Potter fans won’t be seeing him play Quidditch in Order of the Phoenix. “No, it was a bit – that whole Quidditch thing it didn’t sort of come about. But it’s such a big book they can’t get everything in. I was a little bit disappointed, next year probably [could be for me].”
Pondering the Big Question: Harry Potter fans know that J.K. Rowling’s seventh and final book of the series will include the deaths of more than character. Grint’s aware of that fact and a little worried as to who will bite the dust. “There’s a lot of rumors going around but I don’t know. I wouldn’t mind. It’s all right because you can always come back as a ghost, so it’s not too bad.”
Switching Directors on the Harry Potter Movies: Grint admits it’s been a challenge to work with different directors. “It makes it different. I mean, the first time it happened, losing Chris [Columbus] was quite a big thing because he was my first ever director and my first ever film. It was quite different not having him in there. But we’ve had some really good ones, Alfonso [Cuaron], Mike Newell and this one’s been really good, David Yates. He’s quite laid back and much more calm. [He’s] calmer than the other ones we’ve had, so it’s been good.”
On Growing Close to Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe: “We see each other every day for most of the year, so we don’t really need to see each other outside. We get on really well and that’s with all the other cast as well, because we’ve known them for six years. You get to know each other so it’s good.”
The Lengthy Harry Potter Shoots: Most films do not take 10 months to shoot. Even big budget action movies normally wrap up filming in four months. “Yeah, it is pretty crazy,” says Grint. “That’s not why they take so long; I think it’s there’s so many people involved in them. The books are huge as well, and the scripts are pretty big. We do have a really good time doing it, doing really good films.”
Emma Watson May Not Return for a Sixth Harry Potter Film: Watson’s apparently made it known she may not want to return for the final two films of the series and Grint says it would be weird to work with a new Hermione should Watson decide to call it quits. “It would be, yeah. I heard that as well. It’s quite a shock. She hadn’t really talked about it. I don’t know. It would be really weird. I think she will stick it out, I think, because I definitely am and I think Dan is as well. We’ll just have to see, really.”
Being Recognized as Ron from Harry Potter: “It’s not too bad, actually. It’s only been in the last few years where I get recognized a little bit more from [the Harry Potter films]. The hair does sort of stand out. But they’re always really nice, so it’s not really a problem. It is something really weird and I’ve not really got used to it because it is quite strange. But, as I say, it’s not really a problem.”
Upcoming Plans: Grint’s not exactly sure what he’ll work on between Harry Potter films. “I don’t know really. I’ll probably have a bit of a break. We’ve been filming this fifth one for about 10 months or something like that, so it’s been pretty busy. I definitely want to do something – try to get something else in – say something like Driving Lessons because it was a really good experience. I had a really good time doing it, so I’d love to do more stuff like that.”
Original article found here: About.com | October 18th, 2006
Dec
Quint interviews Rupert Grint about Ron Weasely, ORDER OF THE PHOENIX, and HALF-BLOOD PRINCE!!!
Ahoy, squirts! Quint here with a short interview I conducted with Rupert Grint.
Now, this was probably the strangest interview I’ve ever done. It went well… he wasn’t a chatty Cathy, but he was definitely engaged in the conversation. It wasn’t that at all. The interview doesn’t even go into weird areas.
But Rupert Grint looks like my little brother’s twin. I look nothing like Grint myself, but my little brother looked exactly like Grint when the first movie came out and has somehow oddly grown in time with Grint’s appearances in the movie.
So, the crazy thing was that when I was talking to Grint I kept thinking I was talking to my brother. Not literally, of course. I’m not that insane yet, but I it was kind of distracting me a bit.
I didn’t have a photographer with me, but I asked if I could get a quick photo to include in the article, so here it is. Enjoy the interview!

Quint: I don’t know how you do it. If I were in your shoes these junkets would kill me.
Rupert Grint: It’s alright once you get into it. Yeah.
Quint: What’s the worst part? The repetitive questions or just the grind of doing these all day?
Rupert Grint: Mainly it’s just the junkets, the TV junkets, where you’re just sitting in a room and they come one after another. It gets a little bit boring.
Quint: I also imagine with TV it’s a bit different than this. I mean, here you could just be lounging, it’s just your voice.
Rupert Grint: Yeah, yeah.
Quint: But with TV you also have to worry about how you look, how you’re coming across.
Rupert Grint: Yeah, exactly. It’s alright, though.
Quint: One thing that I really liked about what David Yates did with this, what really struck me when I saw the movie, was that he made a real effort to keep the friendship natural. Previous directors did a great job, of course, but here there’s an extra bit where you really do come off as mates hanging out.
Rupert Grint: Yeah.
Quint: Was there a difference in how you were directed by Yates to achieve that?
Rupert Grint: I dunno, really. Probably sort of subtle little things. I think, just on the whole, ‘cause we’ve been doing it so long, got to know each other more we’re probably more relaxed with each other.
I think, also, that he used contemporary music he used (during filming) of some of the Common Room scenes. Like a band called The Ordinary Boys, he’d play that in the Common Room and that gives it a sort of more casual feel.
It’s a really good atmosphere as well because he’s a really nice guy, really laid back and calm.
Quint: So, there wasn’t as much pressure for you…
Rupert Grint: Definitely. Well, there’s always a little bit of pressure, but it was just a really good atmosphere, yeah.
Quint: I noticed that in the film they took a lot of the big Ron Weasely scenes out, so you’re left with being the driving force of Harry’s story…. Was there any difference in how you approached this film?
Rupert Grint: Not really. I read the book before we do it, just to get it fresh in my head, then the script usually comes out and I got a few light rehearsals with the director. That does sort of help. I don’t know. Because we’ve been doin’ it so long, it’s quite easy to slip back into it, really, because we know the characters pretty well.
Quint: When a new Potter book comes out, I know in my case I can’t help envisioning the movie world when reading it. So, when you read it is it like reading a rough draft of a script?
Rupert Grint: (laughs) Yeah. It is sorta like that, yeah. It’s weird… just finding out what you’re doing as well. It’s quite strange. I know the 7th book is gonna be quite interesting. A lot of things are going to happen, we’re going to know who’s gonna die…
Quint: Well, everything’s at stake now. I think HALF-BLOOD PRINCE is one of the best books of the series…
Rupert Grint: Yeah.
Quint: … and I was really happy with it, but there’s just something about this being the final book that means all bets are off. There’s a different kind of feeling, especially coming off of HALF-BLOOD PRINCE.
Rupert Grint: Yeah, it’s gonna be massive. It’s gonna be really cool.
Quint: Now, when you read the scripts and you find, like in this movie, a lot of the juicier stuff didn’t make it through is there any level of disappointment you feel?
Rupert Grint: I was a bit disappointed when Quidditch didn’t make it, but I mean… it’s such a big book, there’s so much to fit in I can understand why they pared it down.
But I’m kinda hoping it’ll be in the next one.
Quint: I think it’s kinda fascinating what they do with your character in the next one. I mean, I’m sure all the focus right now is on the Lavender Brown relationship…
[Grint laughs]
Quint: … And that is good stuff and I’m sure you’re going to have a lot of fun, but the interesting stuff to me is how your relationship with Hermione develops. That kind of true budding romance versus the more lustful thing with Lavender. I think I like it so much because it’s really kind of been set up for a while now…
Rupert Grint: Yeah, gradually. And in this one you see him being a bit more protective as well when she gets picked up by Grawp. He wants to sort of be the hero. But, yeah. In these films there’s always been a sort of hint of that and maybe that’ll kind of feature in the 7th book as well. We’ll see.
Quint: In ORDER OF THE PHOENIX we get to meet Luna and Umbridge. I met Evanna Lynch on my set visit and she was so Luna Lovegood.
Rupert Grint: She’s like that in real life. It’s great.
Quint: It translated so well into the movie, too. She’s great in it. How was she to work with, being that she’s such a huge geek for the books? I heard she was kind of going around and correcting everybody.
Rupert Grint: She knew everything! She knew the book inside out. Everyone would go to her and ask her (when they had questions). And she’s got her own theories. She’s really into it.
Quint: When a new cast member shows up, is there an automatic “welcome to the family” feel?
Rupert Grint: Yeah, definitely. In each film has new people coming in. It’s very exciting really, seeing new people. They always feel quite welcome. It’s such a sort of cozy atmosphere because it’s been the same crew and the same cast for long.
This has got a few new ones. Tonks as well, Nat Tena… who else?
Quint: And Katanga from RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK as Kingsley…
Rupert Grint: Yeah!
Original article found here: Ain’t It Cool | June 22nd, 2007
Dec
Interview with Rupert Grint
From the set in London, we chat with Harry Potter’s Ron Weasley on keeping it fresh, David Yates, the Harry Potter game, and more.
Rupert Grint is among a trio, including Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe, who have portrayed the main characters in J.K. Rowling’s seven volume masterwork entitled Harry Potter. He is often portrayed as the comic relief and rather than shirk away or get tired of that reality, Grint seems happy and exactly where he wants to be. In October 2006, IGN.com was among a group who went to the set of the fifth film, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix to chat with Grint and others about their work on the film.
Q: This is the fifth film. How do you keep it fresh and are you still having fun doing it?
Rupert Grint: Definitely, yeah. I quite missed it when we weren’t doing it cause there are really good friends doing this. There’s a really good atmosphere on the set and that’s really why. There’s been a lot of changes on this one, new director, new writer, and that helped a lot to keep it fresh. It’s been a really good one, this one.
Q: How has David Yates’ directing felt different from previous directors?
Grint: Compared to Mike Newell, who did the fourth one, he’s completely different. Mike Newell is really loud and not afraid to swear at you, but he was really cool. David Yates is much more laid back, more quiet, he’s just really good.
Q: You had a scene here where Emma’s character smashes you up against the wall. How did you shoot that? Were you on a rig or something?
Grint: Yeah (laughs), that was really good to do, funny enough. Whenever we get to do stunts, it’s really good. They harnessed me up and basically, what they do, is they get a fat bloke to climb a ladder with a rope attached to a pulley and that sends you back. I didn’t realize that’s how they did it. That was really cool.
Q: Have you done a lot of stunts?
Grint: Yeah, there’s quite a few stunts in that scene but there’s more to come really. We’ve got the thestral stuff. They’re to do a plaster cast of my legs to make this special seat thing for riding the thestrals.

Q: Do you like to do your own stunts?
Grint: Depends on what it is really. If it’s really dodgey, I’ll probably just leave it to the professionals. Whenever we get to do a little thing, it’s really great fun.
Q: How many times did they slam you up against the wall?
Grint: Quite a few takes. Once you’ve done it once, you kind of get used to it.
Q: Did you get black and blue?
Grint: It does give you a bit of a wedgie when you go back, but apart from that it was fine.
Q: We hear that you guys got modeled for the [Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix?] game. What’s that going to be like for you?
Grint: Really cool. It’s really weird, sort of seeing yourself on the game. I play him a lot.
Q: You guys did the voice work for that one too?
Grint: No, we didn’t, which is a bit of a shame really, but it should be good.
Q: We hear that your dressing room is the one everyone hangs out in.
Grint: It’s really cool. I’ve got table tennis, darts, pool, and a really massive TV.
Q: What are your thoughts about Quidditch and Ron’s part being cut out of it?
Grint: It’s a bit of a shame. I was looking forward to doing the Quidditch, but that will come up later. There’s some really other good stuff in this one, I mean you can’t get it all in.
Q: What is your favorite scene so far or what are you looking forward to doing next?
Grint: I am looking forward to doing the thestral stuff. All of the Room of Requirement stuff is really cool.

Q: In the Hall of Prophecies, in the Ministry of Magic, it’s a fully digital set, so you’re acting in a big green warehouse? Are you apprehensive about that because there is actually not going to be anything there?
Grint: It’s going to be quite a new thing really. We’ve worked on blue screen before … so we all kind of got used to that part of it. It’s going to be quite cool. Today we’ve been doing some fighting lessons so that was quite interesting.
Q: Have you done any scenes at Grimmauld Place?
Grint: Yeah, they were really good scenes to do. All the Weasleys were together, so it was good.
Q: Have you had any scenes with Evanna?
Grint: Yeah, quite a lot. She’s really cool. There’s quite a lot of new characters in this one, actually.
Q: This is her first job so how has she been with everyone on the set?
Grint: Good really, yeah. She’s perfect for it.
Q: We talked to the twins a little and they both have ambitions behind the camera. Have you thought about that?
Grint: I haven’t really thought about that really. I want to finish the Harry Potter films definitely and I don’t know really. I did a film after the fourth one called Driving Lessons, just a new low budget thing with no special effects and that was quite interesting. I would like to do some other stuff like that so we’ll wait and see.
Q: In this film, we see you and Harry Potter make the transition into adulthood. Now that you’re older is that something you can relate to a little bit better with your character?
Grint: Yeah, definitely. It sort of makes it easier, I guess. In the last one, that played a big part as we were growing up and had all of the awkward moments in teenage life I suppose. There’s a lot more of that now.
Original article found here: IGN | June 26th, 2007
Dec
Harry Potter 5 set visit – Rupert Grint
Rupert Grint has made a name for himself by playing Ron Weasley, the best friend of the most famous teenage wizard in the wildly popular “Harry Potter” movies. ComingSoon.net talked to Grint about what his character will do in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
ComingSoon.net: This is the fifth film. How do you keep it fresh and are you still having fun doing it?
Rupert Grint: Definitely, yeah. I quite missed it when we weren’t doing it cause there are really good friends doing this. There’s a really good atmosphere on the set and that’s really why. There’s been a lot of changes on this one, new director, new writer, and that helped a lot to keep it fresh. It’s been a really good one, this one.
CS: How has David Yates’ directing felt different from previous directors?
Grint: Compared to Mike Newell, who did the fourth one, he’s completely different. Mike Newell is really loud and not afraid to swear at you, but he was really cool. David Yates is much more laid back, more quiet, he’s just really good.
CS: You had a scene here where Emma’s character smashes you up against the wall. How did you shoot that? Were you on a rig or something?
Grint: Yeah (laughs), that was really good to do, funny enough. Whenever we get to do stunts, it’s really good. They harnessed me up and basically, what they do, is they get a fat bloke to climb a ladder with a rope attached to a pulley and that sends you back. I didn’t realize that’s how they did it. That was really good?
CS: Have you done a lot of stunts?
Grint: Yeah, there’s quite a few stunts in that scene but there’s more to come really. We’ve got the Thestral stuff. They’re to do a plaster cast of my legs to make this special seat thing for riding the Thestrals.
CS: Do you like to do your own stunts?
Grint: Depends on what it is really. If it’s really dodgy, I’ll probably just leave it to the professionals. Whenever we get to do a little thing, it’s really great fun.
CS: How many times did they slam you up against the wall?
Grint: Quite a few takes. Once you’ve done it once, you kind of get used to it.
CS: Did you get black and blue?
Grint: It does give you a bit of a wedgie when you go back, but apart from that it was fine.
CS: You’re into videogaming we hear.
Grint: I do, yeah.
CS: We hear that you guys got modeled for the game. What’s that going to be like for you?
Grint: Really cool. It’s really weird, sort of seeing yourself on the game. I play him a lot.
CS: You guys did the voice work for that one too?
Grint: No, we didn’t, which is a bit of a shame really, but it should be good.
CS: We hear that your dressing room is the one everyone hangs out in.
Grint: It’s really cool. I’ve got table tennis, darts, pool, and a really massive TV.
CS: What are your thoughts about Quidditch and Ron’s part being cut out of it?
Grint: It’s a bit of a shame. I was looking forward to doing the Quidditch, but that will come up later. There’s some really other good stuff in this one, I mean you can’t get it all in.
CS: What is your favorite scene so far or what are you looking forward to doing next?
Grint: I am looking forward to doing the Thestral stuff. All of the Room of Requirement stuff is really cool.
CS: In the Hall of Prophecy, in the Ministry of Magic, it’s a fully digital set, so you’re acting in a big green warehouse? Are you apprehensive about that because there is actually not going to be anything there?
Grint: It’s going to be quite a new thing really. We’ve worked on blue screen before… so we all kind of got used to that part of it. It’s going to be quite cool. Today we’ve been doing some fighting lessons so that was quite interesting.
CS: Last time we spoke, you were really into metal. What kind of music do you listen to now?
Grint: Same stuff really. I saw the Foo Fighters a couple of months ago at Wembley arena. I like The Strokes.
CS: Have you done any scenes at Grimmauld Place?
Grint: Yeah, they were really good scenes to do. All the Weasleys were together, so it was good.
CS: Have you had any scenes with Evanna?
Grint: Yeah, quite a lot. She’s really cool. There’s quite a lot of new characters in this one, actually.
CS: This is her first job so how has she been with everyone on the set?
Grint: Good really, yeah. She’s perfect for it.
CS: Did it take her a while to get into the swing of things?
Grint: Sure, it must have been really scary because everyone knows each other. She’s fit in really well.
CS: We talked to the twins a little and they both have ambitions behind the camera. Have you thought about that?
Grint: I haven’t really thought about that really. I want to finish the “Harry Potter” films definitely and I don’t know really. I did a film after the fourth one called “Driving Lessons,” just a new low budget thing with no special effects and that was quite interesting. I would like to do some other stuff like that so we’ll wait and see.
CS: Do you have any other non-”Harry Potter” projects that are coming up in the future?
Grint: There’s quite a big gap now. Usually you just kind of have to try and fit it in between the films, but [after] this one we’ve got quite a big break because Dan has got a theater run. I don’t know, we’ll sort of see what comes up.
CS: Have you read the sixth book?
Grint: Yeah, I have, yeah.
CS: What do you think about Ron’s relationship with Lavender?
Grint: Pretty intense! It’s going to be a pretty fun, pretty interesting thing to do.
CS: When J.K. Rowling came to the set, did you get to meet her?
Grint: Yeah, we did. She’s come out a couple times now. She’s really nice, really down to earth. There’s always a bit of excitement when she’s down.
CS: Has she ever told you things to help you understand your character?
Grint: No, not really. Just good to sort of see her. She’s really nice and good to talk to.
CS: Has she commented on your portrayal of the character?
Grint: No, not really, but I think she’s pleased though.
CS: In this film, we see you and Harry Potter make the transition into adulthood. Now that you’re older is that something you can relate to a little bit better with your character?
Grint: Yeah, definitely. It sort of makes it easier, I guess. In the last one, that played a big part as we were growing up and had all of the awkward moments in teenage life I suppose. There’s a lot more of that now.
Original article found here: ComingSoon.net | June 25th, 2007
Dec
Rupert Grint: Snape is ‘definitely pretty evil’
What’s the one thing Rupert Grint has in common with his “Harry Potter” character, Ron Weasley? Does the star think Ron will survive the final chapter? And does Rupert think Snape is good or evil at heart?
TODAYshow.com caught up with Rupert while he was promoting his new film, “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” which hits theaters on July 11, to get all these answers and more.

TODAYshow.com: After a relatively long break between movies four and five, did you notice any big changes in your co-stars?
Rupert: It was quite a big gap, really. It was really good coming back and seeing everyone again, because we don’t really see each other that much. I do see the twins (James and Oliver Phelps, who play Fred and George Weasley) quite a bit because we play golf.
TODAYshow.com: Ron finally makes the Quidditch team this year and Quidditch gets cut from the film. Do you feel slighted?
Rupert: I was pretty disappointed. But it’s such a big book, I sort of understand. Next year they’ll do it. Apparently it’s supposed to be quite painful.
TODAYshow.com: How did you console yourself?
Rupert: There’s quite a few stunts in this one, and with Dumbledore’s Army, and I got to do a big stunt for that.
TODAYshow.com: All of the characters seem more complex in “Order of the Phoenix.” What was your strategy for advancing Ron’s character? Do you feel it was easier to relate to Ron in this film?
Rupert: This one is pretty dark and the story line throughout it pretty intense, and Ron has really grown up — we’ve all really grown up a bit. In the last one, he was a bit all over the place emotionally, with getting jealous of Hermione and falling out with everyone. This one he’s stronger and focused.
I always thought I could relate to him in all aspects. We’ve sort of grown up together, which helps.
TODAYshow.com: What’s scarier — a giant spider or a giant?
Rupert: Definitely a spider. I hate spiders in real life. Most of the people in my family are all [arachnophobics]. It’s not the big ones I’m really scared of. If it was a massive giant spider, I don’t think I’d be so scared of it. It’s more the little ones. A big one can’t really crawl on you like a small one can.

TODAYshow.com: Who do you like better, Fred or George?
Rupert: I can’t remember which one’s which. I like them both the same, really. They’re really different as well, which is funny.
TODAYshow.com: Do you think Snape is good or evil?
Rupert: I don’t know. It’s quite a complicated, that one. He’s definitely pretty evil, I think.
TODAYshow.com: I’ve seen a lot of theories lately that Ron won’t survive the final Harry Potter installment. What do you think?
Rupert: I heard a lot of rumors on that, but the majority of people reckon Dan [Radcliffe, who plays Harry Potter] is going to be the one [who dies]. I think it’s going to be Dan or Voldemort.
I need to know what happens. I’m desperate to know how it’s going to end.
Original article found here: The Today Show | July 6th, 2007
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Talking to Rupert Grint
Rupert Grint is best known as the redheaded Ron Weasley in the ‘Harry Potter’ movies. But he managed to take some time off from wizarding school to star alongside Laura Linney in the coming-of-age movie ‘Driving Lessons,’ in theaters this Friday. Grint plays a young boy trying to find relief from his overbearing mother (Linney).
AMNew York talked to Grint just before the movie opens.
So, how did you come to be involved with the film? Well, I was doing the fourth Harry Potter film and got sent the script. [The filming] was only going to be six weeks, so it was quite easy. I met with Jeremy [Brock, the writer/director] and he was really cool. It just sort of happened from there, really.
I know you were working on getting your own driving license, has that come to pass? Yeah. I passed on Saturday.
So how about your character. Is there anything in your personality that relates to him at all? Not really. There are a few sort of teenage things, like his actions around girls. They’re quite awkward and strange, and I can generally relate to that.
Was this your first onscreen kiss? This was my first.
Was that something that was exciting or was it awkward? I was actually quite nervous about that, because it’s quite a big step. It was really weird because you have the whole crew watching you. It makes you really self-conscious. But she [actress Michelle Duncan] was really cool. She’s older, so it helped a little bit. Watching it back is the worst, especially with my family. They laughed their hearts out.
How was this film different from filming Harry Potter? There were no sets, for one. We filmed all around London. It was only six weeks and the budget was pretty small.
There’s a scene in which you resist some wine because you say you’re underage at 17. Just to clarify, what is the drinking age in the UK? Eighteen. You can pretty much do whatever you want at 18.
Are you getting used to all the screaming, fanatical Potter fans? A little bit, yeah. I’ve been recognized a lot more recently. I don’t know if it’s something you get used to, it’s really weird. They’re always really nice so it’s never a problem.
You were recently getting ready to film the Thestral scenes in the fifth Harry Potter movie. Have you finished those yet? Yeah, we did those the other day. It was really a good time because they had to make a mold, a specially made harness that goes under your legs, because in the film it has to be invisible. [The Thestral is a magical horse-like creature that is only visible to those who've witnessed death.] They put you on this crane and lifted you up in the air. That’s been my favorite scene so far.
And that was done on a green screen? Yeah. We’re working on a lot of the final scenes now, the Dumbledore’s Army stuff.
What’s next for you? When does ‘The Order of the Phoenix’ wrap? We’re finished the middle of November, I think.
And you get a break after that? Yeah. We don’t start the next one until next summer, so there’s quite a big break. I’m going to try and do something else in-between.
I’ve heard you’re afraid of spiders, are there any in the new film? They were going to put in a scene where a spider comes down on my leg while I’m hiding under a tree, and they were going to use a real spider. So they were doing tests with different spiders, letting them crawl on my leg. They ended up cutting it because I couldn’t really deal with it.
Were they using tarantulas? Yeah, baby tarantulas. They’re horrible.
Original article found here: AM New York | October 18th, 2006
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Rupert Grint
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Uh oh, Ron Weasley is up to his old tricks
. . . that don’t work! © Nigel Parry/2002 Warner Bros. |
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Since Rupert Grint landed the role of Ron Weasley, the youngest
Weasley brother and best friend to Harry Potter, his life has been
on the fast track. Besides being recognized around the world, Rupert
received a British Critic’s Circle nomination for Best Newcomer.
We asked Rupert about the new movie, his fear of spiders, and having
his own action figure.
Q: During the time that you weren’t filming, did you, Daniel,
and Emma keep in touch?
Rupert: We get along really well on the set, but we live
far away from each other, so [no, we didn't].
Q: What was your favorite scene to film in The Chamber of
Secrets? Rupert: [The] Whomping Willow scene, which
is really fun because it’s like a theme park ride and I got to drive
a car.
Q: How old do you have to be to have a driver’s license in England?
Rupert: I’m 13 [and you have to be] 17 or 18. At 16
you can drive a motorbike.
Q: What was the most challenging scene to film in this movie?
Rupert: I think coughing up slugs was quite hard. Ron has
a scene where he has to cough up these giant slugs. I had this giant
slug in my mouth loaded with slime and I spat them out. I think
it was plastic. I hope it was plastic.
Q: Did you have more fun making this film as opposed to the last
one?
Rupert: Yes, I think so. On the first one, it was my first
time on the set and it was quite scary. I know everyone now and
we’re really comfortable with it.
Q: You and Daniel had to film the scene with the giant spiders,
right?
Rupert: We come into the spider’s hollow, and then [we meet]
Aragoga spider that is the size of an elephant and really scary
because he has these [long] hairs. I’m really scared of spiders.
That didn’t help my fear at all.
Q: Have people started to recognize you when you’re on the street?
Rupert: People recognize me, call me Ron, and ask me questions.
It’s really cool and weird as well. They usually just ask for my
autograph. I’ve got a signature and everything. It’s hard to get
used to.
Q: Does Ron have an easier time with his magic spells in this movie?
Rupert: He’s worse actually. His wand breaks and he tapes it up.
It’s just really bad. Every spell he does backfires on him.
Q: Are you really looking forward to the fifth Harry Potter book,
The Order of the Phoenix?
Rupert: I can’t wait until that comes out. It’s going to
be cool.
Q: Do you like it that there’s a Ron action figure that looks
like you?
Rupert: The action figure kind of scares me. It’s really
scary [to think that] someone’s playing with you. It’s not real
nice.
Original article found here: Schoolastic | Unknown 2002






