Wondering what it’s like to work with the famous actors in the Harry Potter films? Here’s your chance to find out, as you’ll get to see Robert Pattison (Fred Weasley), Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), and more behind the scenes of the most recent installment in the Potter franchise, Goblet of Fire.
Based on the new novel by Johnny Marr, the film is an adaptation of the classic story of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Although the story takes place in a fantasy world, the costumes and sets reflect the period of the 1950s, with nods to the era of the classic Sherlock Holmes films.
If you’ve never heard of Johnny Marr, he’s probably most well known for penning the Inspector Montalban novels in the late ’70s and early ’80s. But aside from writing, Marr is a photographer whose work can be seen in books and magazines around the world. He has covered subjects as diverse as fashion, food, and music and has even photographed celebrities and royalty. In 2015, Marr was named British Journalist of the Year at the British Journalism Awards. He lives and works in London.
Marr began his career in journalism in the mid-’70s and worked for several publications, including The Times, Newsday, and the BBC. He went on to found the photography agency Marr Productions in 2006. Because of his varied career, Marr is undoubtedly familiar with photography, film, and the entertainment industry. This makes him an invaluable resource not only for fans of the series but for journalists, bloggers, and anyone else who needs to know more about the magic world of film.
The Biggest Set Ever
The biggest set ever for a Harry Potter movie is undoubtedly the Room of Requirement, the school room where Harry, Ron, and Neville find all the necessary equipment to help them defeat the Dark Lord Voldemort. Set-builder Paul Marotta was responsible for this astounding feat of architecture, which he calls the ‘Great Gryffindor Locker’.
In the film, the Room of Requirement is a magnificent recreation of a real-life space that Marotta spent almost a year designing and building. The walls are covered in posters of famous scientists and mathematicians and the room is furnished with over 80 antique or vintage pieces of scientific apparatus. When J.K. Rowling saw Marotta’s designs for the set, she nearly fainted. So did the rest of the production crew, who were tasked with moving heavy furniture and fixtures. The set was such a success that it won a Merlin Award for best special effect of 2018.
Daniel Radcliffe
It would be remiss not to discuss the man behind one of the most recognizable faces of our time. Daniel Radcliffe is best known for his role as Harry Potter in the Harry Potter films. For the role, Radcliffe was given a crash course in magic and spell-casting. In addition to his acting roles, Radcliffe has participated in Broadway plays and has even released his own album. He was named an honorary member of the Order of the Phoenix in 2018 for his services to the magical community.
In recent years, Radcliffe has focused on his philanthropic work, especially with regards to wildlife. He has joined forces with Christiano Ronaldo and others to establish the ZERO HUNDRED Charitable Trust, whose mission is to protect wildlife and promote environmental awareness.
The Set For A Royal Visit
If you saw the recently released trailer for Goblet of Fire, you’ll know that one of the most exciting aspects of the film is the visit of Queen Mary (played by Georgie Pine), the wife of King George (played by Tim Pigott-Smith). As the Queen is touring London, she is accompanied by her cousin, Lady Margaret (played by Emma Stone). The setting for this royal visit is none other than King George’s study, which he calls “the Attic.’” A former monastery, the building was originally constructed in the early 1800s and was bought by King George in 1856. It served as a refuge and study for the monarch, who loved to read and corresponded with famous authors such as Thomas H. Huxley and Samuel Johnson.
The room is full of interesting pieces of antique furniture, including a leather sofa, a green armchair, and an oak dining table. One of the features of the room is an old typewriter, which George uses to type his letters. In the trailer, we also see a chessboard, a game which both George and his wife play. In the film, we learn that King George is an accomplished chess player and is determined to pass on his skills to his children. So much effort has gone into recreating this study room that it’s almost like visiting one of London’s most prestigious museums. This makes sense because the production designers and set-builders for the movie are Ian Anderson and Paul Marotta. Anderson is known for his incredible Lego Hogwarts castle, which was featured in the “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” play and book and has since become one of the film franchise’s most recognizable symbols. Marotta is responsible for creating a number of iconic film and TV sets, including Doctor Doom’s castle in DOOM or the Great Gatsby’s mansion in The Great Gatsby.
Behind The Scenes Of Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows
Marr and Radcliffe are not the only famous faces in Goblet of Fire. You’ll also see several behind the scenes photos of Jude Law (Ollivander), Robbie Coltrane (Lavender Brown), and Mike Myers (Igor Karkaroff), among others. In fact, the Harry Potter films feature some of the biggest names in acting and filmmaking. From the incredible Neville Longbottom (played by Richard Griffiths) to Professor Snape (Alan Rickman), these are the iconic characters that you’ll be seeing on the big screen.
The last Harry Potter film, Deathly Hallows – Part 2, was released in 2011 and concluded the story of Harry Potter. The film received mixed reviews but was a box office success, taking in over £250 million worldwide.
The final installment, Deathly Hallows – Part 2, picked up right where Deathly Hallows – Part 1, left off. While trying to protect the wizarding world from Voldemort’s return, Harry and his longtime friend and ally, Ron, encounter several new challenges, including the return of the one and only Bellatrix Lestrange (played by Joan Collins). As before, there are also appearances by other famous faces, including Kenneth Branagh, Michael Caine, Emma Thompson, and Richard Harris. Branagh plays the Potions Professor, Dr. John Thomas. Caine plays the wizard Rubeus Hagrid, while Thompson plays a famous author named Madame Maxine Scarlock and Harris plays an ex-Prime Minister, Sir Anthony Dumbledore.
These are just a few highlights from the most recent Harry Potter installment. There are several other exciting things to see in Goblet of Fire, including:
- Fully furnished rooms
- A giant bookcase
- A grand piano
- A model railroad
- A fully functioning wand shop
- A collection of Golden Snitches
- And much more
What Is A Goblet Of Fire?
Besides being the home of Harry Potter and his friends (and foes), the Room of Requirement is also the place where the story of Goblet of Fire is told. The magical game of Go-betweens, or Goblet of Fire, is played here and it’s quite an amazing sight to behold. (I wonder if the room was designed with this in mind?)
Marr had a hand in designing the room and it’s quite a unique sight. After all, what is a goblet of fire? It’s an ancient form of poker named after its inventor, a man named Edmond Halley. Back in the 17th century, Halley was the headmaster of a school in London and he loved to gamble. One day, during school hours, Halley took his students into a back room and sat them down at a table. Seated around the table were Halley, his students, and a priest. With the aid of a magical device – a goblet – Halley introduced his students to the joys of gambling, which they enjoyed, particularly after the priest joined in the wagering. (Apparently, this is still an enjoyable pastime for teachers and students at Cambridge University, where the game is occasionally played.)