If you’re a Harry Potter fan, you’ll no doubt be aware of the actor who plays the famous Ron Weasley. With his rumpled hair, bushy eyebrows and big, gap-toothed grin, it’s hard to imagine anyone other than Robert Pattinson filling the role of Ron Weasley.
The resemblance between the two is uncanny. But did you know that Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling originally had someone else in mind when she created Ron Weasley? In fact, Robert Pattinson was in the running to play the part of Ron before it was ultimately decided to cast him as the bumbling wizard.
Here, we’ll reveal the interesting backstory behind Robert Pattinson’s casting in Harry Potter and the surprising way it all began.
What Was Ron’s Role Before Robert Pattinson?
Before casting Robert Pattinson in the role of Ron Weasley, J.K. Rowling considered a number of other actors for the part, including Daniel Radcliffe. Interestingly, in an interview with The Telegraph, Rowling said that she wanted to cast a real-life brother and sister as the Weasley twins. For the roles of Lily and James, she considered Michael Caine and Rebecca Ferguson. For a while, it seemed as if Michael Caine was going to join the franchise, playing the role of Griphook in a proposed fifth installment. However, due to circumstances outside of his control, Caine was unable to take on the role. We’ll get back to you on that one, but for now, let’s focus on Robert Pattinson.
Why Did J.K. Rowling Choose Robert Pattinson Over Daniel Radcliffe For The Part?
When it came to casting Robert Pattinson in a role that would eventually become one of the most iconic and popular characters in all of fiction, J.K. Rowling had some pretty good reasons for choosing the 26-year-old English actor. Here are just a few.
1. Robert Pattinson Is One Of The Most Popular Actors In Hollywood
Although Daniel Radcliffe is currently the more popular British actor, don’t look at these numbers as if Robert Pattinson doesn’t deserve a spot on the big screen. In terms of popularity, he actually holds the record for the most Instagram followers in Hollywood. Not too shabby for a guy who began his acting career back in Shakespeare’s day. In fact, at the time of this writing, Robert Pattinson has over 160 million followers on his Instagram account. This makes him the most popular actor (followed by Tom Hanks, Robert De Niro and Matt Damon) on the platform.
2. He’s Got The Looks
Yes, Daniel Radcliffe is a very smart choice when it comes to casting. Not only is he a very well-known and respected actor, but he’s also got a very clean slate to work with. Before he started acting full time, Radcliffe was already very well-known as a stage actor, as well as a screenwriter and a musician. Now, after taking on the role of Ron, he’s continued to grow his celebrity. And it seems as if his popularity will only continue to increase.
3. The Harry Potter Franchise Is One Of The Most Successful In All Of Film History
You might know that J.K. Rowling is one of the most famous authors of all time. Do you also know that her Harry Potter series was the biggest moneymaker for Disney? In fact, the seven-book series has made more than £500 million ($684 million) at the box office worldwide, which is quite an impressive feat for a series of children’s books.
What’s more is that the franchise has continued to thrive in the years since its release. J.K. Rowling has continued to write new stories set in the Harry Potter universe, and in 2018 alone, the first two Harry Potter films (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets) became the third and fourth-highest-grossing films of all time, respectively.
4. He’s Got The Funny And Tricky Demeanor
Anyone who’s ever seen a Michael Caine movie knows exactly what kind of actor he is. He’s got that sharp wit and deadpan humor that really sets him apart as an actor. In fact, Caine was one of the first English actors to become a regular on the big screen, making him an incredibly popular choice among Hollywood studios. This is also the case with Rebecca Ferguson, who plays the role of Aunt Matilda in the upcoming Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwas.
5. He’s Got The Talent
This point applies to both Daniel Radcliffe and Robert Pattinson. Both actors are extremely talented and accomplished individuals. Radcliffe was born in London to a working-class family, and he grew up dreaming of being an actor. After leaving school, he secured a number of roles in theatre before making the transition to film. Since then, he’s played some incredible roles in both big-budget and independent films. His performance in the Broadway musical, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, was nominated for a Tony Award.
Along with Radcliffe, Pattinson also graduated from university with an acting degree. He then went on to win the Royal Literary Fund’s Theatre Award, as well as the Ian Maclaurin Award for his one-man show, Pattinson Presents: A Performance. The award-winning actor had previously been nominated for a Tony Award for his role in Twelfth Night. In addition to acting, Pattinson is also a qualified stand up comedian, having appeared on several British sitcoms. He also wrote and directed the short film, Man Down. This is all very impressive for someone who began their career back in the 14th century.
6. He’s Got The Enthusiasm
Enthusiasm is one of the crucial elements needed to succeed in Hollywood. Without it, it’s very difficult for an actor or actress to carry a scene, let alone an entire film. The English actor and comedian, Richard Ayoade, once said that acting is about ‘selling yourself short’. This is especially important for young stars who are constantly in the public eye. People will inevitably compare them to other famous children of celebrities, which can dampen their enthusiasm and make them self-conscious. For those who are already doing pretty well for themselves, the public attention can still be a nuisance. The more famous a child gets, the more attention he or she will receive. This can even go so far as to make the young star resentful of his or her fame.
7. He’s Got The Family Connection
Anyone who’s ever seen a Michael Caine movie will know exactly what kind of family he comes from. The British actor started out his acting career in the 1960s, and over the years, he’s appeared in many mainstream and indie films alike. He’s never been married nor has he had children, but he does have a very large and close-knit family. This is important for someone who grew up in England in the 1960s, as it means he can draw on a lot of experience and connections for the role.
These connections obviously helped Caine land some incredible roles, which in turn made him a very popular choice for Hollywood studios. Even his early roles in British films were very well-received. In 1967, for example, he was nominated for the BAFTA for Best Actor, and the movie itself was later nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Caine again found himself in the spotlight after portraying author George Orwell in the 2018 biopic, 1984. As well as being the founder of the literary magazine, The Orwell Review, Caine is also the great-grandfather of Lady Gaga, whose family he often collaborates with on stage.