Chris Columbus advises stars of HARRY POTTER to consider life after the magic

By: Jennifer H. Tomooka
Date: Tuesday, November 05, 2002

In a recent interview to promote the release of HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS, director Chris Columbus commented on the concerns he has about the three young stars of the film -- Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Emily Watson (Hermione Granger) and Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) -- and their future as actors regarding a life outside of Hollywood. Columbus has been very vocal about the stars seriously considering leaving the series after the third film.

"I would encourage it because they have to go on with their lives," says Columbus. "I certainly wouldn't fight that at all. If they don't want to come back, they shouldn't. There's nothing worse than a kid who doesn't want to be there. Trust me. I've worked with kids who don't want to be on the set. These kids love doing their jobs. When that leaves, if you're a director or an actor, then you're sunk. Then you're just doing it for the money or whatever other horrible reason. You've got to get out of it."

Columbus's advice aside, it looks like the child stars of HARRY POTTER would like to continue their roles for as long as possible.

"I don't even know if they're going to make a fourth or a fifth film," says Watson. "But it's been a really, really good experience and I've really enjoyed them."

Harry Potter himself, actor Radcliffe, seconds Watson's statement.

"I'm definitely doing the third film," says Radcliffe. "We're all doing the third film. After that, who knows? It takes more or less a year to film [each movie], so we've got quite a long way before we have to encounter that decision."


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