Buzz
Harry Potter still keeps netizens intrigued with its fascinating backstage stories.
As one of the most popular film franchises of all time, boasting a massive global fanbase, Harry Potter continues to pique netizens' curiosity with intriguing behind-the-scenes tales.
1. Ralph Fiennes rejects an overly 'fake' nose
The Dark Lord Voldemort is undoubtedly a notorious and feared antagonist, haunting Hollywood's screens. Voldemort, the nightmare spanning 8 Harry Potter films, strikes terror not only with his cruelty but also with his unmistakable appearance.
Voldemort is described as having a round, pale face with no nose but instead two slits resembling a snake's nostrils. Crafting this feature proved exceedingly challenging for the film crew.
Actor Ralph Fiennes, who portrays Voldemort, originally has a tall and handsome nose, making the 'removal' of the nose extremely difficult. Consequently, the Harry Potter team presented two options: using makeup techniques or employing CGI effects during filming.
As a talented actor, Ralph Fiennes didn't want a fake nose to hinder his performance. He believed that makeup alone couldn't convey Voldemort's terrifying appearance, while CGI felt too artificial.
Faced with this demand, the Harry Potter team ultimately chose a meticulous combination of CGI and state-of-the-art makeup to achieve the most authentic portrayal for viewers.
2. Daniel Radcliffe's parents objected to filming in Prague
Since they started acting at a young age, child actors like Daniel Radcliffe relied on family support because they were too young to make decisions for themselves. Thus, there were instances where Daniel Radcliffe's parents made requests on behalf of their children.
During a discussion, the Harry Potter production team planned that after the release of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, future installments would be filmed in the Czech Republic.
Barrandov Studios confidently embraced this decision, citing their headquarters in Prague and the success of the first Mission Impossible film shot there. Moving to the Czech Republic could potentially provide a significant boost in promoting Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix production.
At this time, Daniel Radcliffe was on the verge of turning 16, prompting the actor's parents to express concerns about the impact of relocation on Radcliffe's adolescence. Fortunately, Radcliffe's influence was sufficient to ensure that Harry Potter remained filmed in the United Kingdom.
3. Emma Watson requested more books to be added to Hermione's bedroom
The casting team of the Harry Potter series has consistently been praised for selecting actors who embody the characters perfectly. Each actor has flawlessly inhabited their role, notably the trio of Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint.
One of the most famous and controversial scenes involving Hermione in the series occurs in the first installment of the Philosopher's Stone, where she must erase her parents' memories to protect them. It's in this scene that Hermione's home is first revealed to the audience.
Upon seeing Hermione's bedroom, Emma Watson felt it needed more books. Hermione is known for her love of reading, so increasing the number of books seemed only fitting. The film crew agreed, resulting in a room overflowing with books.
4. Where Helena Bonham Carter reigns, don't expect to find Emma Thompson.
Actress Emma Thompson and actor Kenneth Branagh, who played Professor Sybill Trelawney and the handsome yet deceitful Gilderoy Lockhart, were actually married from 1989. They were once considered the 'golden couple of British cinema,' affectionately dubbed 'Ken and Em' by the public. Unfortunately, their romance only lasted until 1995.
The reason behind their split was none other than Helena Bonham Carter, loathed for her portrayal of Bellatrix Lestrange.
Professionally, this posed less of a challenge for Kenneth Branagh, as he was the sole member of the trio featured in Chamber of Secrets. However, due to flashback scenes in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Emma Thompson only visited the set on days when Helena Bonham Carter wasn't filming.
In truth, this extramarital scandal didn't unfold during the production of Harry Potter, but rather stemmed from rumors linking Helena and Kenneth back to 1994 when they played an engaged couple in the film Frankenstein. Their romance led to the dissolution of the two 'Hogwarts professors' in 1995. Helena and Kenneth then dated until 1999 before parting ways.
5. Alan Rickman enforced a strict 5-meter rule between Rupert Grint and his car.
Amidst the Hogwarts school setting and the challenge of acting alongside numerous teen actors, Alan Rickman found himself in a comical situation, issuing a strict order to keep his beloved car untouched within a 5-meter radius.
Specifically, on the set of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Rupert Grint (playing Ron Weasley) and Matthew Lewis (playing Neville) accidentally spilled milk on his expensive BMW. As a result, on the set of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Alan Rickman demanded that Rupert and Matthew stay at least 5 meters away from his cherished vehicle.
Image Source: Compilation
