Chris Rankin: 'Unlikely' to return for HBP; Hopeful for "Deathly Hallows"
Rankin Interviews
Posted by: Edward
October 19, 2007, 02:18 PM
A new video interview with Harry Potter actor Chris Rankin is online in which he speaks briefly about his hopes for returning as Percy Wesley in the final two films. Mr. Rankin sat down with TV3 in New Zealand to talk about his involvement in the Armageddon Pop Culture Expo and his experiences working on the Harry Potter films. When the topic of whether he’ll be returning for the sixth and seventh films, “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” and “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” came up, Mr. Rankin replied: “Who knows?”
Mr. Rankin went on to note that he’d love to return as Percy Weasley and said:
“It’s unlikely that he’ll be in the sixth film but for the seventh film, judging by the book, he should be there.”
This interview also features his thoughts on fellow Harry Potter actor Dan Radcliffe’s much talked about play “Equus” and the small professional theater company he created in England.
Thanks to Jas from DanRadcliffeOnline.com for the heads up.
22 Comments
Well there has to be a reason they brought him back for OOTP and did not even give him any lines. My mom kept asking who he was and I had to explain Percy to her. I think they needed to reintroduce him because he has to come back for 7.
Posted by Michele on October 19, 2007, 02:28 PM
Man. What about the scene where he barges into the Burrow with Scrimgeour?! Dangit, dangit, dangit.
Posted by Jessie on October 19, 2007, 02:33 PM
I did wonder he showed up in OotP. Is it even disclosed in the movie that he is a Weasley? They could have just as well left him out, although I find it a pity. Percy is a Weasley after all and Chris Rankin is a truly fine guy. I wished they had included him in all the movies, but they have left out the estrangement between Percy and his family, thus the reconciliation scene in DH is not necessary. In HBP, he just accompanied Scrimgeour to the Burrow for Scrimgeour to be able to talk to Harry. They might leave out that scene completey and have Scrimgeour talk to Harry only at Dumbledore“s funeral, if ever.
I have a hunch we, sadly, will not see Percy/Chris in the remaining two movies.
Posted by Accio_HP7 on October 19, 2007, 02:41 PM
If he is not in 6 (HBP), he will have no reason to be in 7 (DH). The movies have never addressed the fact that Percy had a falling-out with his family. There are many other reasons for Scrimgeour to show up to the Weasley’s—they don’t need to use Percy. Seeing as it will be harder and harder to keep the movies “short”, I doubt he will be back.
Posted by TexasFan on October 19, 2007, 02:45 PM
Disappointing to hear this, but I know they can’t do everything. I will not be as forgiving if they leave out the Harry and Scrimgeour confrontation, which I hope will be done even if Percy isn’t there. He MUST say he’s “Dumbledore’s man through and through.” I also LOVED hearing him tell Scrimgeour at the funeral that Dumbledore is never truly gone as long as those who are loyal to him remain at Hogwarts; it’s a wonderful allusion to Chamber of Secrets. But alas, ever since the third movie, many parts I found so endearing and character-developing have been left out. Ah well, I won’t judge just yet, since they’ve only begun filming!
Posted by GinaC on October 19, 2007, 03:42 PM
My first thought was sadly that Percy may have been cut because Scrimgeour has been cut as well, so there’s no need for Percy, but we’ll have to see.
Posted by phil on October 19, 2007, 03:44 PM
Argh, this sucks. If they don’t have Percy in HBP they could just cut him out of DH as well. I mean, the thing with Percy in DH is that he comes back to his family and understands what a fool he has been.
Posted by Felicia on October 19, 2007, 04:06 PM
He doesn’t even have a big role in Half Blood Prince. And they didn’t even mention the fight between Percy and Arthur in the 5th movie, so they could just cut Percy out altogether.
Posted by celia on October 19, 2007, 04:41 PM
in the past chris rankin has sounded like he felt that the success and quality of the film series depended on weather or not Percy was in the movies. Frankly, percy is at best a third tier character with little bearing on the plot or the events of the books. while it would be nice to see percy in the scene at the burrow at Christmas time with the minister, but Percy is an unnecessary component in that moment. and the film makers have already made their bed in terms of how much attention is given to the “Percy is a git” storyline.
Posted by tovarbaker on October 19, 2007, 04:49 PM
Guys he is only important in DH thats all and one more thing: HOW IS THE VOTING FOR OOTP GOING? HE IS AT 26% AND 300 IS AT 30% ONLY 3 DAYS AND THE AWARD IS GOING TO BE GIVEN TO 300 VOTE PEOPLE!!!!
Posted by Alaa Mohamed on October 19, 2007, 04:52 PM
I totally understand all the reasons for not having Percy in DH, but personally, I am so hoping they put him in.
I really think that the final movie should have as many of the characters as they can from previous movies, i.e. Victor Krum, Oliver Wood, Fleur, Colin Creevey… It would really wrap it up, even if some of them were just there at Hogwarts in the battle with no lines.
Posted by Katarina on October 19, 2007, 04:56 PM
well he has to be in HBP to carry on their family feud… because their reconciliation in DH is very important! at least in the eyes of Harry… who thinks of the Weasleys like his own family.
Posted by joycemorrison on October 19, 2007, 07:03 PM
Well, about the scene with Scrimgeour and Percy- It’s not necessary for them to emphasize the Harry VS the Ministry plotline for the films, since that was already one of the focal points of OotP. I think Percy’s relationship is important though, but maybe not for the films so much. sigh People who only see the films miss out on so much!
And since they haven’t made mention of Percy falling out with the family yet, I’ve got to say I’ll be thoroughly disappointed if in DH he doesn’t get his chance to come back and avenge Fred. It was a part that did get me teary-eyed, and Fred’s death is the craziest part in the thick of the battle, especially right after Ron and Hermione kiss which would be oh-so-dramatic!
Posted by Libby on October 19, 2007, 07:29 PM
I do hope he comes back, but for the movie-goers, it would be quite confusing seeing as he had no lines in the 5th movie, and virtually no part in the 4th or 3rd. Was Percy even in Goblet of Fire?
Posted by Naria on October 19, 2007, 07:45 PM
“I really think that the final movie should have as many of the characters as they can from previous movies, i.e. Victor Krum, Oliver Wood, Fleur, Colin Creevey”
Nigel will get to die instead of Colin.
Posted by kingdolohov on October 19, 2007, 08:31 PM
Well there has to be a reason they brought him back for OOTP and did not even give him any lines. My mom kept asking who he was and I had to explain Percy to her. I think they needed to reintroduce him because he has to come back for 7.