Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone Movie Trailer. Rowling insisted that the cast be kept British. Susie Figgis was appointed as casting director, working with both Columbus and Rowling in auditioning the lead roles of Harry, Ron and Hermione. Open casting calls were held for the main three roles, with only British children being considered. The principal auditions took place in three parts, with those auditioning having to read a page from the novel, then to improvise a scene of the students’ arrival at Hogwarts, and finally to read several pages from the script in front of Columbus.
Scenes from Columbus’ script for the 1985 film Young Sherlock Holmes were also used in auditions. On 11 July 2000, Figgis left the production, complaining that Columbus did not consider any of the thousands of children they had auditioned “worthy”. On 8 August 2000, the virtually unknown Daniel Radcliffe and newcomers Rupert Grint and Emma Watson were selected to play Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, respectively.
— Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, an 11-year-old British orphan raised by his unwelcoming aunt and uncle, who learns of his own fame as a wizard known to have survived his parents’ murder at the hands of the psychopathic dark wizard Lord Voldemort as an infant when he is accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Columbus had wanted Radcliffe for the role since he saw him in the BBC’s production of David Copperfield, before the open casting sessions had taken place, but had been told by Figgis that Radcliffe’s protective parents would not allow their son to take the part. Columbus explained that his persistence in giving Radcliffe the role was responsible for Figgis’ resignation.
Radcliffe was asked to audition in 2000, when Heyman and Kloves met him and his parents at a production of Stones in His Pockets in London. Heyman and Columbus successfully managed to convince Radcliffe’s parents that their son would be protected from media intrusion, and they agreed to let him play Harry. Rowling approved of Radcliffe’s casting, stating that “having seen [his] screen test I don’t think Chris Columbus could have found a better Harry.” Radcliffe was reportedly paid £1 million for the film, although he felt the fee was “not that important”. William Moseley, who was later cast as Peter Pevensie in The Chronicles of Narnia series, also auditioned for the role.
— Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley, Harry’s best friend at Hogwarts. He decided he would be perfect for the part “because [he has got] ginger hair,” and was a fan of the series. Having seen a Newsround report about the open casting he sent in a video of himself rapping about how he wished to receive the part. His attempt was successful as the casting team asked for a meeting with him.
— Emma Watson as Hermione Granger, Harry’s other best friend and the trio’s brains. Watson’s Oxford theatre teacher passed her name on to the casting agents and she had to do over five interviews before she got the part. Watson took her audition seriously, but “never really thought [she] had any chance of getting the role.” The producers were impressed by Watson’s self-confidence and she outperformed the thousands of other girls who had applied.
— John Cleese as Nearly Headless Nick, the ghost of Hogwarts’ Gryffindor House.
— Robbie Coltrane as Rubeus Hagrid, a half-giant and Hogwarts’ Groundskeeper. Coltrane was Rowling’s first choice for the part. Coltrane, who was already a fan of the books, prepared for the role by discussing Hagrid’s past and future with Rowling. According to Figgis, Robin Williams was interested in participating in the film, but was turned down for the Hagrid role because of the “strictly British and Irish only” rule which Columbus was determined to maintain.
— Warwick Davis as Filius Flitwick, the Charms Master and head of Hogwarts’ Ravenclaw House.
— Richard Griffiths as Vernon Dursley, Harry’s Muggle (non-magical) uncle.
— Richard Harris as Albus Dumbledore, Hogwarts’ Headmaster and one of the most famous and powerful wizards of all time. Harris initially rejected the role, only to reverse his decision after his granddaughter stated she would never speak to him again if he did not take it.
— Ian Hart as Quirinus Quirrell, the slightly nervous Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts, and also Lord Voldemort’s voice. David Thewlis auditioned for the part; he would later be cast as Remus Lupin in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
— John Hurt as Mr. Ollivander, the owner of Ollivanders, a highly regarded wandmaker.
— Alan Rickman as Severus Snape, the Potions Master and head of Hogwarts’ Slytherin House. Tim Roth was the original choice for the role, but he turned it down for Planet of the Apes.
— Fiona Shaw as Petunia Dursley, Harry’s Muggle aunt.
— Maggie Smith as Minerva McGonagall, the Deputy Headmistress, head of Gryffindor and transfiguration teacher at Hogwarts. Smith was Rowling’s personal choice for the part.
— Julie Walters as Molly Weasley, Ron’s caring mother. She shows Harry how to get to Platform 9 3⁄4. Before Walters was cast, American actress Rosie O’Donnell held talks with Columbus about playing Mrs. Weasley.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)
Directed by: Chris Columbus
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, John Cleese, Robbie Coltrane, Richard Harris, Ian Hart, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, John Hurt, Kieri Kennedy
Screenplay by: J.K. Rowling, Steven Kloves
Cinematography by: John Seale
Film Editing by: Richard Francis-Bruce
Costume Design by: Judianna Makovsky
Set Decoration by: Stephenie McMillan
Art Direction by: Andrew Ackland-Snow
Makeup Department: Jane Body, Mark Coulier
Music by: John Williams
MPAA Rating: PG for some scary moments and mild language.
Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures
Release Date: November 16, 2001
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