It’s hard to believe that it’s been a decade since the last Harry Potter movie was released in theaters. While the films have stayed popular on home entertainment platforms, live performances of the iconic stories have become less frequent. After a massive world tour following the conclusion of the Harry Potter series, rock star Robert Pattinson decided to call it quits on the road for a while. But his decision to return home permanently has reignited the desire to see the magic performed live on stage once more.
While it may be hard to believe, it’s been a decade since the last Harry Potter movie was released in theaters. Since then, J.K. Rowling’s brilliant fantasy series has remained popular on home entertainment platforms, with movie fans seeking out the latest adventures whenever they can. While the films have stayed popular on home entertainment platforms, live performances of the iconic stories have become less frequent. After a massive world tour following the conclusion of the Harry Potter series, rock star Robert Pattinson decided to call it quits on the road for a while. But his decision to return home permanently has reignited the desire to see the magic performed live on stage once more.
Following the premiere of his new movie, The Lost City of Z, last week, which is based on the 1871 H.G. Wells novel of the same name, fans are looking for ways to get excited about upcoming live shows. And why should they wait? With Rowling’s blessing and the endorsement of her Harry Potter co-creator, John Henson, it is entirely possible that we may see a reunion of the magical boy band in the near future.
To help celebrate this potential reunion tour, we’re taking a look back at the story of one of Hollywood’s most beloved (and most controversial) on-screen duos: Robert Pattinson and Katherine Waterston as the notorious Lord and Lady Ravenclaw in the Harry Potter films.
Introducing Robert and Katherine
If you’ve never heard of Robert Pattinson or Katherine Waterston, it’s probably time you should have. The British actor and the American actress have been together since 2006, when they starred in the independently-made movie, Velocity. Since then, they’ve appeared in a number of acclaimed films together, including The Lost City of Z, before making the decision to split ways in 2019. But their story goes back much further than 2006, with Waterston even featuring as his acting mentor in the 2005 film, A Year in the Life.
Their partnership was first announced when Waterston was initially cast in the 2005 movie, A Year in the Life, alongside Michael Sheen. While it was initially implied that the two would star in a film about the life of John Lennon, it was later revealed that their characters would be based on the members of the Beatles. In the film, Sheen plays George Harrison, while Waterston portrays Yoko Ono.
It was during this time that Harrison’s death was foreshadowed when Waterston’s character learns about the guitarist’s passing. She is then seen breaking down in sobs.
The news of Harrison’s death was received with sorrow by fans of the Beatle and his contemporaries, with many taking to social media to pay their respects and share their feelings. While the film was met with positive reviews and a theatrical run that extended beyond its limited opening weekend, the reaction from the public, particularly the music community, was less than positive. And it wasn’t just about Harrison. When Lennon passed away in 1980, his estate received more than $500,000 from the makers of the film. But the money was later doubled after an appeals court ruled that the filmmakers must pay $1.25 million in punitive damages due to a technical error in the contract. But as his widow, Yoko Ono, would later attest, even if the film wasn’t intentional, it still had an impact.
Robert’s Early Life
As previously mentioned, the chemistry between Robert Pattinson and Katherine Waterston was first displayed in the 2005 movie, A Year in the Life. The pair play Eliza and Jack, a couple who fall in love while on holiday in Thailand. While the location, love stories, and pace of the movie are certainly unique, the performances are what have kept this film from being overlooked. Critics have described the film as “mesmeric” and “spellbinding.”
Pattinson, whose parents are actors Tim (The Saint) and Sandy (High School Musical), grew up in a family that valued creativity and artistic expression. His father was originally set to play the role of Griphook in the Harry Potter series before it was taken up by Alan Rickman. But instead, Rickman’s role was taken up by Tim, who has two other sons with his wife, Sandy. As a result, Rickman had to be content with playing a supporting role in the series as an adult mentor to Rufus Scrimgeour (Pattinson’s character’s father).
While it may be hard for some to understand why Rickman didn’t get the main role, it’s important to note that Rickman didn’t want to play the role of a teacher alongside Michael Jackson. And given the actor’s advanced age (at the time of shooting, he was 73 years old), it’s entirely possible that this was a major factor in his being passed over.
The Making of Harry Potter And The Cursed Child
It was during the filming of A Year in the Life that the creative team behind Harry Potter were first approached about revisiting some of the stories in the J.K. Rowling universe. With the tenth anniversary of the Harry Potter series upon us, it was decided that the time was right to bring back some of the original stars for one last hurrah. As a result, a new stage play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, was announced in 2018. While the story details are still under wraps, fans can expect to see flashbacks to events that occur between Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, as well as some original characters from the series.
Robert’s Career
With the hype surrounding the potential reunion of Robert Pattinson and Katherine Waterston, it’s important to look back at the work the pair has done in their careers. Below, we’re taking a look at the pair’s filmography, outlining their collaborations and the impact they’ve had on viewers around the world.
The Lost City Of Z
Based on the 1871 H.G. Wells novel of the same name, The Lost City Of Z is the true story of British explorer Howard P. Hall, who embarked on an expedition to find the fabled city of gold, Zululand, in Africa. It was a quest that would change his life forever. While most of the film was shot in South Africa, some spectacular location shooting took place in Morocco as well.
The movie is the story of Hall’s journey to discover the source of the Nile River and his encounters with members of the local Zulu tribe. In the novel, Hall’s discovery leads him to question the veracity of the widely held belief that black people are inherently lacking in artistic ingenuity. But beyond this, the film also raises important questions about colonialism and the ethics of exploiting another country’s resources for personal gain. For these reasons, as well as its amazing special effects and action scenes, it’s been hailed as one of the greatest adventure films ever made.
How Do You Feel?
The next project on this list is undoubtedly the most well-known collaboration between Robert Pattinson and Katherine Waterston. The story follows a young woman, Sarah Morton, as she travels to Japan to adopt a baby brother for her brother Luke, who is suffering from agoraphobia (fear of open spaces). She eventually falls in love with the boy’s father, Takumi, a musician, and the two become a family. But their idyllic lifestyle is put on hold when Takumi is tasked with resurrecting a dead tribe leader, whose spirit is trapped within the body of a cursed mummy. Takumi must learn to use his magical power to enter the spirit world and free their old friend from his mortal coil.