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The Harry Potter Reunion | 12 Biggest Revelations about Harry Potter

Harry Potter reunion photo

The Harry Potter Reunion after the completion of 20 Years

Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, and others reunited to talk about the renowned franchise that launched many of their careers.

HBO Max will take you on a fantastic journey with his Harry Potter reunion special.

In honor of the 20th anniversary of the first film, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, and others reunited to discuss the iconic franchise that launched many of their career paths.

In addition to transporting us to Hogwarts by replicating some of the sets, the cast members also shared some interesting insights about the films, such as casting, shooting, and even on-set romances.

While some interesting facts are more well-known than others, the program is sure to delight any Harry Potter fan.

The following are the most fascinating disclosures from Harry Potter's 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts, which is currently streaming on HBO Max.

Director Chris Columbus was afraid to read the Harry Potter novels at first

HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS

Credit : EVERETT

It was his daughter Eleanor who initially introduced him to the series.

The first and Second movies were directed by Chris Columbus. Once he refusals to read the novels.

He ultimately did so after the release of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in 1999.

He immediately imagined the movies as he read the whole story.

The floating candles used in the Great Hall were real (original).

Harry Potter reunion

Source : Warner Brothers

The floating candles in the Great Hall were one of the rare exceptions to the Harry Potter films' use of CGI to bring magic to life on screen.

The performers disclosed that the set designers in the Great Hall used genuine burning candles.

"When all the floating candles started burning through the ropes that connected them to the ceiling and just started crashing through the Great Hall," Radcliffe quipped, "that was one of my favorite moments on set ever."

Helena Bonham Carter was Daniel Radcliffe's crush

Harry Potter reunion

Source : EVERETT

Watson wasn't the only one who was charmed by their Harry Potter co-star.

Radcliffe and Carter discussed a nice message Radcliffe handed her during filming during a sit-down.

"I really love you and I only wish I had been born 10 years earlier I might have had [had] a chance," Radcliffe wrote at the end of the email, in addition to expressing sincere thanks to working with her.

Alan Rickman was the first to learn of Snape's past

Alan Rickman in Harry Potter

Source : Everett

Oldman said during a discussion of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban that he wished he had "the complete vision" of the plot before shooting.

While Radcliffe stated that he was unaware of the ending, he claimed that the late Alan Rickman was.

Radcliffe said, "He had the inside line." "He remarked to Jo pretty early on, 'I think I need to know what's going on here."

As a result, he was able to represent the character in a systematic way throughout the films.

Radcliffe said, "'Why are you doing that?' Chris would ironically ask. 'I'll tell you later,' Rickman often says."'

"I felt quite cautious of her," he admitted. "I always had a soft corner in my heart for her those days."

During filming, Emma Watson was "in love" with Tom Felton.

Emma Watson, Tom Felton, Alfred Enoch | Source: Tom Felton/Instagram

Felton and Watson have always been maintained their close friendship. During the event, they shared all their feeling for each other.

Watson revealed that she was particularly taken with Felton during a tutorial class in which they were asked to draw what they thought God looked like.

"Tom made a painting of a woman on a Skateboard with a reverse cap. I wasn't capable enough to describe it properly, and I fell madly in love with him," she explained.

Despite having a great crush on Watson, Felton saw her as a younger sister due to their three-year age difference.

Chris Columbus hand-picked Daniel Radcliffe to play Harry Potter

Daniel selected the for Harry Potter role

Source : EVERETT

The producers struggled to find the perfect young actor to play Harry Potter during the audition process until Columbus saw Radcliffe in the BBC rendition of David Copperfield.

"A bulb(light) lit in my mind," he remarked. "'This is Harry Potter,' I said. We've been looking for this kid for months."

Radcliffe's parents, on the other hand, were not convinced about Radcliffe playing Harry Potter.

They feared that the shooting would cause "great interruption to his life" because it was originally scheduled to take place in Los Angels.

Radcliffe's father was eventually convinced to let him audition by producer David Heyman, and the rest is history.

Chris Columbus hand-picked Daniel Radcliffe to play Harry Potter

Jason Isaacs originally auditioned for Gilderoy Lockhart1

Source : EVERETT

Isaacs is well recognized for his role as Lucius Malfoy, however, he auditioned for the role of Gilderoy Lockhart first. In fact, he was anxious about not playing Lucius.
"I was about to play Captain Hook in Peter Pan when I realized I didn't want to play two children's villains," he confessed. He unwillingly read for Lucius with "gritted teeth and was very bitter" about the audition, according to Columbus' request. Of course, his attitude during the audition made him the ideal Lucius, and he was cast in the role.

Emma Watson was on the verge of leaving the franchise.

Source : Pascal Le Segretain/ Getty

During the episode, Watson discussed how she was on the verge of leaving the Harry Potter franchise about the time the shooting of Order of the Phoenix began.

"It's easy to ignore what she went through and how gracefully she handled it," Felton recalled.

While Radcliffe and Grint had each other and Felton had his "cronies," Watson was alone, according to Felton.

"The celebrity status issue had finally hit home in a big way," Watson recalled, adding that she had been feeling very lonely at the time.

Daniel Radcliffe was astonished by Gary Oldman

Daniel Radcliffe starstrucked over Gary Oldman1

Source : EVERETT

When talking about all of the great performers who have appeared in the Harry Potter films over the years, Radcliffe mentioned that Oldman was one of the first individuals.

When they first arrived on set, he was "dazzled of."

"Watson said that she still remembers very those days when he gave her the Gary chat," Watson said. 'Listen, Emma, you need to learn how to control your emotions,' you told. It's Gary Oldman, and he's famous."

"Which was basically a reflection of my own fears," Radcliffe explained."'Dan, you must keep yourself cool,' I said. This is a significant player."

Emma Watson and Rupert Grint were quite nervous about their kiss sequence

Emma Watson and Rupert Grint kiss scene1

Source : Warner Bros

It didn't help that Radcliffe teased them about the kiss ahead of time, on top of being uncomfortable about the kiss.

"I was like, 'I'm going to come on set and watch you guys kiss,'" Radcliffe said, adding that "everyone wanted to be on set" for the kiss.

"It was one of the most difficult tasks in my life I've ever had to do," Watson remarked. "It felt almost absurd for me on every point of view.

Dan Rupert and I were emotionally attached like brothers and sisters."

During the making of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, director Mike Newell broke a rib.

Director Mike Newell fractured his rib during Goblet of Fire

Source : EVERETT

Mike Newell probably had no idea how challenging Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire would be when he signed to direct it.

Newell actually fractured a few ribs while showing the brothers how to fight each other.

While shooting a scene between Oliver and James Phelps, who played George and Fred in the movie.

When filming was completed, the cast members felt deeply linked to their characters

Deeply interconnected after final harry potter series

Source : Ian Gavan/Getty

For many, Ron and Hermione's kiss in the last film was equally as significant as Watson and Grint's.

It was almost like "preparing them for a major sporting event," director David Yates remarked.

As the Harry Potter series drew to an end, the cast stated that it was strange to say goodbye to the characters after spending so much time with them.

"When I was playing a role, I forgot myself. Now, I forgot who the character was anymore.

I had no idea where they ended or where they started "Grint said. "It didn't even feel like my name.

We had the impression that I only knew how to perform one thing. I was well-versed in the role of Ron."

Watson recalled those exciting moments, "It was almost like doing practicing the most intense form of method acting."

Return to Hogwarts : Harry Potter's 20th Anniversary is now available to watch on HBO Max.