Tribute Star Chat 2002

Tribute’s Bonnie Laufer talks to Daniel Radcliffe about reprising his role as Harry Potter in The Chamber of Secrets.


This is really a spectacular movie. You guys have really outdone yourselves so pat yourself on the back!

Oh thank you so much. We worked very hard on this one.


Aside from the comfort level of now knowing the character and the people you were going to work with, what was the major difference for you making this second Harry Potter movie ?

I think that Harry’s part in the first film is amazing and I think that the second film is really challenging. As an actor it was quite hard and I was just hoping that I could meet the challenge and do really well. I think that I did OK in the movie so I’m happy.


I think you did a great job. As Harry’s growing up, Daniel is growing up too. Did you feel yourself slipping into his skin? Was it a little easier?

It’s really weird actually because it was much easier but at the same time I am finding it kind it hard to draw the line where Harry starts and I begin and where I start and Harry begins and where I end! It’s very confusing.


Did you do anything special to prepare yourself for The Chamber of Secrets?

Mostly I talked to Chris [Columbus] about the part, but other than that, not really.


Did you re-read the book?

Oh yes, the book. I re-read the book before each film and I have read the third book already.


So you’re all set.

Yeah! (laughs)


There’s so much new stuff and new people in the film, what was your favourite scene or the most fun?

I loved shooting the duelling scene because of the huge crowd and stunts. After filming finished, I loved watching the Chamber of Secrets scene because of the intensity of the dialogue between me and Christian Coulson who plays Tom Riddle. I loved all that.


There are some wonderful scenes where Harry and Ron get to drive a flying car. That must have been a lot of fun to shoot.

It was fantastic. And when I’m hanging out the car window — it was so much fun because I was actually doing it. I was up pretty high and it was so cool.


What’s really fun to watch is the evolution of your friendship with Hermione and Ron that no doubt developed with the actors offscreen. How did you guys develop such a great bond?

I think we are all quite like our characters to an extent, and our characters bond because of who they are. The same thing happened with me, Emma and Rupert over the last two or three years.


So what kind of fun things did you do to keep it light, to just be kids?

Emma and I were in Newcastle and we went home for the weekend so we got to go to this water park together and that was really cool. We just all had loads of fun all of the time, on and off set.


You also got to work with Kenneth Branagh who I think is absolutely hilarious in the movie.

He is amazing, isn’t he?


Do you ever pinch yourself about making these movies, about what is going on in your life?

It’s scary and it’s really weird. I still can’t quite come to grips with it.


What’s been the biggest surprise or change for you since you started making the films? How have you had to adjust your life?

I haven’t really had to, which is great.


How do your friends handle it? It must be strange for them when they look at you and think, my friend is Harry Potter. It must be bizarre for them.

It probably is quite bizarre, but they certainly haven’t changed in their attitude towards me at all. I mean, we’re still really good friends and we still do all of the things that we used to do all the time.


Chris Columbus has said that he won’t be directing the third film. What’s so special about Chris and what will you miss most about him?

It’s important to realize that Chris is still staying around; he is going to be the executive producer. I think that Chris is amazing. He manages to get the whole set completely psyched up and really motivated and has managed to unite us as if we are one huge family.


I’d like you tell Canadians straight from the mouth of Harry Potter himself, why they should go see The Chamber of Secrets.

If you like the books, you’ll like the film. Even if you haven’t read the books, I still think you’ll like the film. Everybody will like it. If you like dark, edgy movies, I think you’ll like it.


What’s the most exciting thing you’re looking forward to when you start shooting Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban?

The hippogryph. I am really looking forward to riding the hippogryph, I think that’s going to be really cool!