Toronto fans spellbound by Harry Potter actor
Last Updated: Wednesday, July 11, 2007 | 3:10 PM ET
CBC Arts
He didn't arrive by Hogwarts Express but Harry Potter fans were nonetheless excited to welcome British actor Rupert Grint, who plays Ron Weasley in the film series, at a Toronto cinema for the latest movie's opening day.
"It's all really crazy," Grint, who arrived in a black Hummer plastered with Harry Potter artwork, said on Wednesday.
British actor Rupert Grint says it's 'really cool' to be in Canada for the first time. (CBC)
"It's really exciting and I've really enjoyed it, but getting recognized and that is really sort of a strange experience, and I don't think I'll ever really sort of get used to it."
The 18-year-old British actor was greeted by eager teenage fans, some screaming, who leaned over each other to touch hands with Grint. Some had been waiting for hours.
"We want him to smile at us," said 16-year-old Becca Ferguson, who had been waiting for three hours with her friend Emily Wilken. The pair were rewarded 45 minutes later when Grint went over to get a picture taken and sign his name.
"Oh my goodness," was all Wilken could muster after the actor left.
The Toronto visit is Grint's first time in Canada.
"It's really cool," he said. "It's really good to see everyone sort of excited about the film and stuff."
The actor signed autographs and spoke to reporters. Grint revealed that he didn't realize the book and the films would balloon into a global phenomenon. The first six Harry Potter books by author J.K. Rowling have sold 325 million copies worldwide.
There was much anticipation surrounding the launch of the the fifth movie, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, and the final instalment of the book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, due out July 21.
"When we first started, I didn't really think of this far on," Grint said.
"It was enough of a crazy experience as it was because obviously I came from quite the normal background."
Grint is the eldest of five children born to Nigel Grint, a memorabilia dealer and Jo, a homemaker, who live in Hertfordshire in southwest England.
The young actor recently bought an ice cream van and joked that if the acting work dries up after Harry Potter, he'll just start a new career as an ice cream vendor.
With files from the Canadian PressShare Tools
FILM REVIEW: Men in Black 3 by Eli Glasner May. 25, 2012 11:40 AM Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones are back in the action sequel Men in Black 3, a third instalment of a series now 15 years old. Though new addition Josh Brolin manages some amazing mimicry as a younger version of Jones, the story doesn't measure up to the weird and wonderful charms of the original, says film reviewer Eli Glasner.
Top News Headlines
- Everest victim's husband says family not seeking government help
- The husband of a Toronto woman who died trying to climb Mt. Everest on Saturday says his family is not seeking government help to cover the cost of bringing his wife's body home. more »
- B.C. premier unhappy with disgraced Mountie's transfer
- B.C. Premier Christy Clark says she is not happy with the RCMP decision to transfer a disgraced Alberta Mountie to the West Coast. more »
- Henrique's OT goal sends Devils into Stanley Cup final
- The New Jersey Devils will vie for a potential fourth Stanley Cup in franchise history after defeating the New York Rangers in six games in the Eastern final, courtesy of rookie Adam Henrique's goal early in overtime. more »
- Employment Insurance review boards to be scrapped
- The federal government is scrapping two review boards used by people appealing decisions made about their employment insurance. more »
Latest Arts & Entertainment News Headlines
- Modern and traditional art scores at Joyner auction
- Both traditional and modern works fared well at Joyner Waddington's spring art auction in Toronto, with buyers snapping up lots by Group of Seven members as well as more contemporary artists. more »
- Prophetic Cosmopolis premieres at Cannes
- David Cronenberg says he didn't anticipate the Occupy Wall Street movement as he prepared to shoot Cosmopolis, his new film which made its world premiere Friday at the Cannes Film Festival in southern France. more »
- Jennifer Egan's newest story debuts on Twitter
- The latest short story from Pulitzer-winning writer Jennifer Egan is emerging 140 characters at a time via Twitter. more »
- Miller Brittain sketches restored by museum
- Canadian artist and social satirist Miller Brittain's larger than life chalk drawings may once again hang in Saint John. more »
Q Blog
Toni Morrison on her two selves May. 25, 2012 5:57 PM Jian speaks with the celebrated African American author and academic about her two conflicting selves, and her new novel, Home.
CBC Books
Talking about war May. 25, 2012 4:57 PM The public conversation around war has always been complex and thorny. How does Canada's military approach differ from that of other countries? Are we a society of peacekeepers or warriors? These are some of the questions that Noah Richler explores in his new book What We Talk About When We Talk About War.
- Aylmer triple stabbing leads to first-degree murder charges
- Everest victim's husband says family not seeking government help
- B.C. premier unhappy with disgraced Mountie's transfer
- What a Greek euro exit could mean for Canada
- Third B.C. salmon farm quarantined
- Reclaiming the dead on Mt. Everest
- Canada ending 'Buffalo shuffle' for visas, closing consulate
- Employment Insurance review boards to be scrapped
- Brave cat makes epic leap of faith
