You might know that Robert Pattinson is a big fan of the Harry Potter series. But do you know how big of a fan he is? This year, the actor will be playing the main character, Harry Potter, in the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them film. So, as part of our Summer School program, we sat down with Pattinson to talk about the challenges and joys of portraying Harry Potter. Here’s what he had to say.
Pattinson On How He Prepared To Play The Main Character
When I first got the call to play Harry Potter, I was living in New York at the time, and I almost flipped. Because I’m from London, the idea of playing a wizard in New York City was pretty surreal. So, of course, I had to do some research. I started by reading the books and watching all the films. And then I went on the Hogwarts Express train ride, which is right next to Central Park. I just wanted to feel what it was like to be a real-life Harry Potter.
What I found was that, in most cases, the Harry Potter films and the books are quite similar. Even the places that they come from are the same. So, I had an idea of what to expect. I think that helped a lot. I wasn’t really intimidated by the books or films. I was pretty familiar with the source material, so trying something new wasn’t really a problem. It’s more about fear of making mistakes, I guess.
Then, there was also the fear of not measuring up to the hype. But, once I got over that, I realized that I was in the right place. It’s funny how things work out. When we first started shooting, I was definitely not at the top of my game, both physically and mentally. I was a little bit nervous, but I put those nerves to good use. Because the last thing I wanted to do was mess up Harry Potter’s journey. Especially since it was my job to make it as good as possible. So, I made sure to focus on the little things, because there’s tons of material to cover. And, for the most part, I think I did a good job. If I had to do it all over again, I’d probably try and find a different way to approach it.
Challenges Of Playing The Main Character
There are definitely a lot of challenges in playing the main character. It’s not just about memorizing lines and acting in front of the camera. There are a lot of little things that go into it. For example, when you’re recording your lines, each take can last anywhere from three to five minutes. So, you’re going to be continuously running around trying to keep the pace. There’s also lots of talkative characters in the scripts. So, when you’re recording your lines, you want to make sure that you’re not running out of breath. Trying to keep the pace while also getting your words right takes a lot of practice, I guess. And then, of course, there’s the whole thing with the costume. I mean, I had to design my own suit, and it was actually quite challenging. But, at the same time, it was quite rewarding. It’s funny how things work out. This suit took me about a month to make, and it’s one of the most difficult pieces of clothing that I’ve ever had to put together. I think the reason why it’s so difficult is that it’s not just about the suit. It’s about having things that fit all of Harry’s dimensions, and knowing how to put them all together. So, it’s not just about the suit. It’s about the whole image. I wanted to make sure that I had something that was both elegant and unique. And those two words can be quite challenging to put together, especially when you’re talking about fashion.
The Joys Of Playing The Main Character
When it comes to playing Harry Potter, there are definitely a lot of joys. First off, of course, is the fact that you’re playing a character that is undoubtedly one of the most famous wizards of all time. This wouldn’t mean anything if it wasn’t for J.K. Rowling’s writing, but, nonetheless, it’s quite an honor. And then, there’s the money, of course. The films and TV shows don’t just make money, they make a lot of money. So, even if you’re not making a ton of money, you’re still going to do pretty well. If money is no object to you, then playing Harry Potter might be a bad idea. But for the rest of us, it’s an opportunity to leap into the shoes of one of the most iconic characters of all time.
Working With Director And Screenwriter J.K. Rowling
Working with J.K. Rowling was a real treat. Because not only is she a wonderful writer, but she’s also a very hands-on director. And she lets you know which buttons to push, and when to push them, right from the start. It was great to have such a passionate director who knew exactly what she wanted, and was able to communicate it effectively to the entire cast and crew. It made a huge difference. It also made a huge difference that she had such a good experience with the previous film, The Deathly Hallows. Because it’s one thing to go into the details of a story, and it’s another thing to bring it to life. And she was able to do both, with The Deathly Hallows. So, it was quite an honor to work on that film with her. And now, with the next film, The Crimes Of Grindelwald, we’ll get to see a lot more of her. It’s going to be a treat. I know everyone is looking forward to it.