Original Harry, Hermione, Ron to finish off Potter films
Last Updated: Saturday, March 24, 2007 | 10:14 AM ET
CBC Arts
All three original cast members of the Harry Potter films have signed to reprise their roles in the final two instalments of the series.
Warner Bros. Pictures announced that actors Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint are returning to play their roles as Harry, Hermione and Ron in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
British actor Daniel Radcliffe, seen in this 2006 photo, will return to finish off the Harry Potter films with fellow actors Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, who play Hermione and Ron.
(Canadian Press)
"I feel a huge sense of loyalty to the character of Harry and the fans who have supported these films over the years," said Radcliffe in a statement. The 17-year-old recently made headlines when he took to the London stage as the lead in the play Equus, which requires him to appear nude at one point.
The Harry Potter movies are based on the bestselling books by J.K. Rowling about a boy wizard-in-training and his friends.
"I could never let Hermione go," said Watson, 16. "I love her too much and love what playing her has meant to me. I'm excited and honoured to be finishing what I started."
Grint, who plays Harry's bumbling best friend Ron, says he's "loved every second of being part of [Harry Potter's] world."
The fifth film, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, is slated for release in July.
There's been much speculation about the last book. Rowling has hinted that two main characters will die.
"I don't always enjoy killing my characters," said Rowling at a reading in New York City last summer.
Fans have anticipated a battle royale between Harry and the embodiment of evil, Lord Voldemort. Rowling has divulged that she likes to be realistic about what it means to battle evil.
"A price has to be paid, we are dealing with pure evil here. They don't target extras do they? They go for the main characters ... well, I do. This is a world where some pretty nasty things can happen," said the author in an interview with a British television show last year.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will be published July 21.
The series, which was first published 10 years ago, has sold 325 million copies worldwide and been translated into 64 languages.
With files from the Associated PressShare Tools
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