The author of the LA Times Hero Complex Blog recently went to Leavesden studios for a series of interviews with cast members on the set of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows which are due later this fall. While there, Geoff Boucher spoke to actor Dan Radcliffe regarding the persistent rumors that Dan was on the short list to be cast in the upcoming film production of "The Hobbit." In this new interview, Dan firmly states he has no interest in the project with "any wizards in it. "I'd have to say, 'Thanks but no thanks,' not that anyone has asked me. Honestly, I don't think they would want me anyway, it's just too
close. Whatever I do next, I don't think there will be any wizards in
it!"
Dan also weighs in on who he think a good candidate for the part of the beloved young Hobbit Bilbo Baggins: "James McAvoy is fantastic. I think he should play it. I've done the fantasy-film thing. Actually, so has he, with the 'Chronicles of Narnia,'
of course. But I've done it for longer. He can take over. I'm done. I
don't think anybody involved in that would want me to, either."
It goes the other way too, doesn’t it? I seem to recall reading that before Dumbledore was cast, either originally or after Richard Harris’ death, the wonderful Sir Ian McKellen was asked to play Dumbledore.. And he declined to take the part, saying that he has enough trouble living up to one great wizard, let alone two.
As much as I love Dan as Harry (and think he is Harry, in a way), as much as I love his involvement in these films and this fandom, and as devastated I get when I think that the end is near, I can totally understand why he wants to steer clear of fantasy after the DH films are finished. Playing someone as iconic as The Boy Who Lived for 10+ years is enough to make anyone afraid of being typecast.
@MischiefManaged… he had already done his part of not being typecasted as Harry, he accepted Equus at Westend, and reprised it in Broadway. And he is brillian in “December Boys”.
He will be a great actor, I know it. He just lack the heigh though. I think it’s time he takes some of them growth balls..
He now has the luxury to sit back and do things that are meaningful to him…it’s not like he’s going to “work” because he’ll need to pay the bills! Good for him. Leaky friends have so much love for Dan…I wonder if he’s got an account here just to check in on what people are saying about him! Maybe???
well, i’m not a dan fan…or a hobbit fan, actually. but I wouldn’t want to see him in anything similar to harry potter, not only because he’ll be typecast but because i would see that as a betrayal – i shouldn’t do, but i would.
"What -- the -- [i]devil[/i] -- are -- you -- doing?" said Uncle Vernon through gritted teeth, his face horribly close to Harry's. "You've just ruined the punch line of my Japanese golfer joke.... One more sound and you'll wish you'd never been born, boy!
Ooh, I love James McAvoy!! :D
And I can understand Dan wanting a break from fantasy films for awhile. :)