| Entertainment Weekly's 100 Greatest Characters |
He was born in Britain, but he belongs to all of us now, young
and old.
J.K. Rowling introduced her boy wizard to the world in 1997, and
before decade's end, Harry Potter was a global icon. With his
seven-volume saga complete, the tragedy-scarred orphan stands as
an inspiring hero for our times.
It was thrilling to follow his progression toward maturity - from
bewildered yet bedazzled youngster to flawed and angry adolescent
to wise, self-sacrificing young man. (Of course, Harry wouldn't
be Harry without the support of best chums Ron and Hermione, the
guidance of Professor Dumbledore, and the soul-stirring challenge
of villainous Voldemort.)
In an interview with EW in 2000, Rowling explained the great
theme embodied by Harry and all her characters: "What's very
important for me is when Dumbledore says [in Harry Potter and the
Goblet of Fire] that you have to choose between what is right and
what is easy... What is easy is often not right."
In 2001, Harry Potter became a cinematic hero as well, played by
Daniel Radcliffe in an always winning and ever-deepening
performance.
The actor, now 20, believes the character's main legacy is the
Potter fan base, "a new generation of incredibly literary nerds,
of which I am one!"
Still, Radcliffe imagines - half-jokingly - that his contribution
to Harry Potter might someday be obsolete. "[The books] will be
around for decades to come, which makes me wonder if in 30 years'
time, we will be seeing remakes of all these movies," he says
with a laugh. "I have a very dark suspicion that that will
happen, although I don't particularly want it to!"
5 Questions with D. Rad:
You were 11 when you were cast as Harry Potter, who was already a
global phenom. Did you feel pressure?
If I had been older and slightly more self-aware about the
following that Harry had, I would have been slightly more
intimidated. Ignorance and confidence of youth - it's enough to
transcend that.
How did you go about creating Harry? And how has your preparation
changed over the years?
In the beginning, creating the character was all about the
costume and the look. That's how people thought of him. In terms
of what I did to prepare, it was very much: Just learn the lines.
I'm aware now that there are so many different ways to play any
one line.
What makes Harry interesting to play for you?
That he is not perfect. He's capable of being quite arrogant,
quite stubborn, pigheaded, and a little bit selfish. He can make
himself something of a martyr when he really doesn't have to. All
those characteristics are wonderful because it separates Harry
from the archetypal superheroes that you so often get in
children's literature.
Has JK Rowling offered you any advice on playing Harry since the
first film?
I did ask for some advice on the fifth film. I talked to her
about Harry's emergence as the leader of Dumbledore's Army. She
said it was very important because it's the first time we see
Harry be a leader, and eventually he's going to have to lead
large numbers of people.
If you could have spent your adolescence playing any other
character, who would it be?
I was always unbelievably jealous of Tobey Maguire playing Spider-
Man. I do think Spidey is the coolest of superheroes.
and old.
J.K. Rowling introduced her boy wizard to the world in 1997, and
before decade's end, Harry Potter was a global icon. With his
seven-volume saga complete, the tragedy-scarred orphan stands as
an inspiring hero for our times.
It was thrilling to follow his progression toward maturity - from
bewildered yet bedazzled youngster to flawed and angry adolescent
to wise, self-sacrificing young man. (Of course, Harry wouldn't
be Harry without the support of best chums Ron and Hermione, the
guidance of Professor Dumbledore, and the soul-stirring challenge
of villainous Voldemort.)
In an interview with EW in 2000, Rowling explained the great
theme embodied by Harry and all her characters: "What's very
important for me is when Dumbledore says [in Harry Potter and the
Goblet of Fire] that you have to choose between what is right and
what is easy... What is easy is often not right."
In 2001, Harry Potter became a cinematic hero as well, played by
Daniel Radcliffe in an always winning and ever-deepening
performance.
The actor, now 20, believes the character's main legacy is the
Potter fan base, "a new generation of incredibly literary nerds,
of which I am one!"
Still, Radcliffe imagines - half-jokingly - that his contribution
to Harry Potter might someday be obsolete. "[The books] will be
around for decades to come, which makes me wonder if in 30 years'
time, we will be seeing remakes of all these movies," he says
with a laugh. "I have a very dark suspicion that that will
happen, although I don't particularly want it to!"
5 Questions with D. Rad:
You were 11 when you were cast as Harry Potter, who was already a
global phenom. Did you feel pressure?
If I had been older and slightly more self-aware about the
following that Harry had, I would have been slightly more
intimidated. Ignorance and confidence of youth - it's enough to
transcend that.
How did you go about creating Harry? And how has your preparation
changed over the years?
In the beginning, creating the character was all about the
costume and the look. That's how people thought of him. In terms
of what I did to prepare, it was very much: Just learn the lines.
I'm aware now that there are so many different ways to play any
one line.
What makes Harry interesting to play for you?
That he is not perfect. He's capable of being quite arrogant,
quite stubborn, pigheaded, and a little bit selfish. He can make
himself something of a martyr when he really doesn't have to. All
those characteristics are wonderful because it separates Harry
from the archetypal superheroes that you so often get in
children's literature.
Has JK Rowling offered you any advice on playing Harry since the
first film?
I did ask for some advice on the fifth film. I talked to her
about Harry's emergence as the leader of Dumbledore's Army. She
said it was very important because it's the first time we see
Harry be a leader, and eventually he's going to have to lead
large numbers of people.
If you could have spent your adolescence playing any other
character, who would it be?
I was always unbelievably jealous of Tobey Maguire playing Spider-
Man. I do think Spidey is the coolest of superheroes.
In Entertainment Weekly's June 4/11, 2010 double issue, they name
who they think are the 100 Greatest Characters of the last 20
years. They ranked Harry Potter as number two (right behind Homer
Simpson, if you were wondering). Here's a copy of the article by
Jeff Jensen including Q&A with Daniel Radcliffe.
who they think are the 100 Greatest Characters of the last 20
years. They ranked Harry Potter as number two (right behind Homer
Simpson, if you were wondering). Here's a copy of the article by
Jeff Jensen including Q&A with Daniel Radcliffe.
| The Article |
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| The Ultimate Harry Potter Analysis Source |
| Choosing what is Right over what is Easy |
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