Press Watch - 2005

Short quotes and comments by and about Daniel Radcliffe from around the media.  If you find any more, please send them to us!

Source: Entertainment Weekly, 30th December 2005

Screenwriter Steve Kloves talks about the phenomenon of the Harry Potter movies:

For Potter screenwriter, Steve Kloves, the secret is simple: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint. The stars’ on-screen maturation, he believes, has become a compelling story unto itself. “People are fascinated with seeing them grow up and change,” he says. “They are the heartbeat of this franchise”. And this year, that pulse has never been stronger

Source: VH1, 20th November 2005

Dan’s music pick for “Big in 2005”

"The best album of the year so far is Arcade Fire's Funeral. The title makes it sound like it's all doom and gloom, but it's actually not. The reason it's called Funeral is because seven members of the band's family died when they were making it. But it's just the most beautiful, sometimes sad and sometimes really uplifting album I've heard recently."

Source: USA Today, 17th November 2005

Dan talks about Voldemort:

"It's hard to beat the human imagination: I suppose I had a rather melodramatic view of him in my head," says Daniel Radcliffe, who plays Harry. "I probably saw him with scales. It's such an unbelievably hard thing to approach, playing ultimate evil," says Radcliffe. "And I sort of know firsthand, because he scared me when we were doing it."

Several possibilities were discussed to achieve the look of ultimate evil. "Mike (Newell) was talking about getting prosthetics and makeup and things on his face, and Ralph was very much against it," says Radcliffe. "He made a fantastic point, which is that it would be even more scary for people if there was something human there that they could connect with. And I think that's absolutely true. To leave him human delivered a level of humanity behind the eyes, which makes a big difference as to how scary he is."

Source: CBBC Newsround, 17th November 2005

During an interview, Afshan Azad (Padma) and Shefali Chowdhury (Parvati) talk about Dan and Rupert:

What's it like acting with Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint?

Afshan: They're soo amazing actors.

Shefali: Yeah.

Afshan: They are so down to earth, they are just normal people, absolutely, so humble and down to earth. And we, Dan and I, became best friends and Rupert was so hilarious on set. He's a right joker, it's hard to understand but they're really just genuinely normal people, normal teenagers who were just up for a laugh and we all just had fun. Everyone was like family on set and everyone just went to each other when they needed a shoulder to cry on or shared the laughs.

Shefali: Dan's hilarious. Dancing - we were better dancing off-screen than on-screen and he's got like a crazy sense of humour, so full of energy and he's just really supportive. Because I got quite nervous at one point and I was doing a scene with me and Afshan and Rupert. I got quite nervous and he was being really supportive.

Afshan: He always gave you advice didn't he?

Shefali: Yeah.

Afshan: He would always give me advice and I would go up to him saying you know: "How do you think I should say my line" and he would always be there to give advice and is so down to earth and so friendly. Everyone is really, but at the end of it we became really the best of friends and hopefully will be friends for a long time.

Source: The Mercury, 16th November 2005

Australian actress Teresa Palmer, talks about Dan's involvement in the Australian independent movie "December Boys":

"It's really amazing that Daniel has been attached to the project because he's got so many fans around the world and they will be keen to see what he's like in a film outside the Harry Potter series," said Palmer. Radcliffe, 16, who according to his new co-star is "a great guy, surprisingly mature, and really funny", begins filming December Boys this week, after a worldwide Goblet of Fire promotional tour which included the film's New York premiere at the weekend.

Source: Empire, 15th November 2005

From an interview with Michael Gambon:

The kids are remarkable, really remarkable. I'm not saying that because I am in the bloody films. I mean Daniel is so cool and with it. He is unfazed by anything. The great luck was to get that boy I think, because he is terrific."

Source: CBBC Newsround, 7th November 2005

From an article about the Goblet of Fire world premiere in London:

LONDON - The stars, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, spent ages meeting fans and signing autographs.

Harry actor Daniel said: "It doesn't get any less bizarre. I seem to be coping ever so slightly better this year but it's marginal."

Sadly JK Rowling couldn't make the premiere as her husband is ill.

Daniel Radcliffe also told CBBC Newsround that he was starting work on a new film project in December - a movie called December Boys, which he said he was "incredibly excited" about.

Source: HPANA, 6th November 2005

Anna Hight had the chance to interview the cast at the World Premier of GoF in London. This is the excerpt concerning Dan:

I absolutely did not expect a chance to speak to Dan Radcliffe, but suddenly there he was. The boy was nearly vibrating with energy, answering questions enthusiastically and mostly with his hands waving about as if he thought he might try to fly. He bounded (literally!) up to us, hopped around a bit, took a drink of water and attacked questions with a vigour I hope he never, ever loses.

I asked him if there had been anything in the script that he looked at and thought, Wow, that's going to be horrible or humiliating, I don't think I can do that. Dan replies:

"I've lost all inhibitions now. I'm shameless! That sort of stuff doesn't bother me particularly anymore. I'm fine with that, now!"

Source: CBBC Newsround, 02nd November 2005

Katie Leung talks about Dan:

Question: What’s Daniel Radcliffe like?

Katie: He's great - he's so down to earth. You don't expect it because he's so famous and known worldwide but he's just like the rest of us and we're really good friends.

Question: Was it daunting to meet him?

When I first met Dan we did a drama workshop which was nerve-wracking as I had to act in front of him, but he made it so easy for me and he's so friendly.

Question: Do you think Cho and Harry make a good couple?

Katie: Not particularly as Harry's got enough problems in his life and she has a boyfriend.

Question: What do you think about the prospect of snogging in film five?

Katie: I'm really excited about it! I think it'll be quite funny with everyone watching, but I'll need to wait and see.

Source: Unknown, November 2005

Miranda Richardson talks about the trio:

Richardson told us that the biggest thrill of the Harry Potter experience was working with her young co-stars, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint. "They're cool," she told us, "they're very grounded. They put me to shame, really, they're much more grown up than me. They're not fazed by all the trappings of stardom and, I think, very keen to be seen as true professionals. They want to carry on in the profession and do other big work."

Source: Unknown, November 2005

Ralph Fiennes talks about Dan:

"He's just a charming young man, very helpful. I think it must be very difficult for young actors when they are part of this incredible franchise, and there's such pressure and exposure, and certainly Daniel seems to be keeping it together. He's just a very charming person. I'm sure any of you can imagine that a young person can be affected very negatively by that, but he's a very good actor on the set. He does very well in the studio," said Fiennes.

Source: Dance Spirit Magazine, November 2005

UK choreographer Wayne McGregor, who taught the HP actors to dance for the Yule Ball, had words of praise for Daniel:

According to McGregor, Radcliffe, much like his character, was a standout. "Daniel had to rehearse around his filming schedule,which was crazy, and he [danced] it brilliantly - a natural," says McGregor.

Source: Telegraph, 28th October 2005

Mike Newell talks about the trio:

"They live a curious existence", says Newell, almost in a whisper. "But they all have good parents, and they manage to keep a certain distance between their real lives and their on-screen lives. They have a lively sense of the ridiculous, especially Dan. He knows it's weird to have Japanese girls lying down in the road in front of his car, so he can stop, get out and propose marriage to them. Which has happened. They're all strong characters, too. You might think Rupert was rather dozy, but he's a glorious comic. He'll be a name." All three, Newell thinks, have an ability to separate themselves from the wilder excesses of celebrity. "Emma goes back to school and ordinary life, whereas Rupert's given up on school and makes other films. So he does it that way."

Source: Dark Horizons, 24th October 2005

From an interview with Mike Newell, director of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire:

Question: Are you surprised at how good these kids have become as actors?

Newell: Slightly, yes, I am. I was... there were two things that surprised me about them, one is that these are films like no other in which, you know... this is not like Mary Poppins. In the end Mary Poppins, it may be a film for children but it certainly isn't a film about children, it's about the adults, whereas this is not that at all, this is a film that ism for and about kids. They are simply the stars. You know when I look at this, um, schedule of these interviews that I'm doing today, Daniel Radcliffe comes first, Emma Watson comes second, Rupert Grint comes third and only then do I come... (Laughter)

Newell: You know... they're, they're way out ahead. They're huge, huge world stars. And what I was surprised by was how completely level-headed they were. I didn't get any kind of backchat from them, no kind of mulishness or rebellion. I was prepared to talk to them and convince them, as I would with any other actor, but I was very surprised, and nicely surprised, by that.

Source: USA Today, 24th October 2005

From an article about the higher rating that Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire received, compared to its predecessors:

Whether the film is too scary for children under 12 depends on the child's disposition, says star Daniel Radcliffe.

"If you are a very sensitive 10-year-old, you probably couldn't see it, but then again, if you are a very resilient 5-year-old, you could," he says.

"What's great is there is all the intensity, and that's fantastic. I think people would have been disappointed if we had pulled away from that. At the same time, you have got a lot more comedy. It is the funniest of the films so far. There is a nice balance of light and shade."

Source: Reuters, 24th October 2005

From a short article about how "the teenaged stars of the Harry Potter films have their parents and school work to thank for helping them deal with fame":

More than most child stars, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint are growing up in front of millions of viewers, having just completed the fourth Potter movie.

The three films so far amassed around $2.5 billion in ticket sales, and have become one of the most successful movie franchises in history. And there are four more to come.

"One of the things that has been amazing has been my parents, who have kept me completely grounded the whole time and I've never got big-headed or anything," said Radcliffe, the 16-year-old actor who plays Harry in the films.

"I never think of myself as famous. As far as I'm concerned, I'm famous for two days a year which is the premieres," he told Reuters in a weekend interview to promote "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," due out on November 18.

Source: Reuters UK, 24th October 2005

From an interview with Mike Newell, director of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire:

Daniel Radcliffe, who plays Harry in the films, said he felt growing pressure as the series progressed.

"There's so much pressure on them now to be getting better and better, and also we felt we were going to have to go an extra mile to top what Alfonso (Cuaron) did (with the third film)," the 16-year-old told Reuters.

As well as duelling with Voldemort, Potter faces the equally daunting task of asking his teenage crush, Cho Chang, to the annual prom, a problem Radcliffe himself has faced.

"I'm getting better now, but I used to be incredibly awkward with girls," said Radcliffe. "I think any guy who says 'I've never had an awkward moment with a girl' is a liar."

Source: Weekly Reader, 13th May 2005

From an interview with actress Katie Leung, who plays Cho Chang in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire:

Did you first meet Dan [Radcliffe], Emma [Watson], and Rupert [Grint] on set or beforehand?

The first time I met them I was actually doing a drama workshop with them. That was really intimidating and everything because the first time I met them I had to improvise and do some drama and act. It was like, "Oh my god, I'm around all these great actors." But it was really cool afterwards and we spoke and got to know each other.

What is Daniel like in real life?

He's so well-mannered. Everything he says is like "How are you?" When we're on set, you know, he cares about you. "Are you all right?" and "Can I get you water?" and stuff like that.

Source: London Evening Standard, 28th January 2005

From an article about Jack Dee, host of the 2005 Evening Standard British Film Awards:

As master of ceremonies Dee has rubbed shoulders with Renée Zellweger, Rachel Weisz, Ewan McGregor, Sir Mick Jagger, Terry Gilliam ... and Vinnie [Jones]. But Dee joked: "I was more impressed meeting the guy who played Harry Potter [Daniel Radcliffe] than anyone."