Watson, Grint sign on for final two Harry Potter movies
Speculation has been rampant that Emma Watson, who has played the role of Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter films, would be backing out of the massively popular wizard movie franchise. A report came from the News of the World last week, indicating Watson had turned down a £2 million per film contract, though Warner Bros., the studio that produces the Harry Potter films, had remained adamant that Watson would be back for the sixth and seventh films.
On Friday, Warner Bros. announced they had come to terms with Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, who plays Harry's friend, Ron Weasley, for the final two films. As Daniel Radcliffe had already signed on to once again reprise his role as Harry Potter, the three main cast members have all been locked down for the film versions of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. In a statement made from the Warner Bros. film studio, Emma Watson said, "I could never let Hermione go -- she is my hero!" Watson went on to say that, "I love her too much and love what playing her has meant to me."
With the signing of 16-year-old Emma Watson to the final two Harry Potter movies, millions of Harry Potter fans were able to breathe a sign of relief. As news of her possible departure made headlines, fans around the world were shocked to think what would happen to the beloved Harry Potter films that began in 2001 with Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Since the first Harry Potter movie grossed $976 million at the worldwide box office, the following three Potter films have gone on to take home close to $2.6 billion globally. The fifth film in the franchise, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, is set to be released on July 13, hoping to add another large chunk of money to the $3.5 billion that the film series has already grossed.
It seemed impossible that any of the Harry Potter cast would leave the franchise behind, with the stunning success and massive popularity of the roles. Daniel Radcliffe has chosen to spend his free time in London's West End, performing in the Peter Schaeffer play, Equus. The role, which sees Radcliffe perform a nude scene, as well as smoke cigarettes on stage, may be a radical departure from his time as Harry Potter, though Radcliffe did acknowledge that playing the young wizard was an "enormous privilege." The BBC quoted Daniel Radcliffe, who said, "I feel a huge sense of loyalty to the character of Harry and the fans who have supported these films over the years."
Jeff Robinov, the production president for Warner Bros,, was also quoted by the BBC as saying, "Through the years we have watched them grow into extraordinary young adults, as well as remarkable actors. It would be inconceivable to imagine anyone else in the roles with which they have become so identified, so we are thrilled and proud that Daniel, Rupert and Emma have chosen to complete the arc of their characters in the final two films."
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