Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban completed 20 years of its release. (Photo credits: Instagram)
Daniel Radcliffe, who played the lead Harry Potter said, “I almost don’t think of him even as a fictional character anymore, because he is so real.”
More than a decade has passed since we first met the 11-year-old boy who discovers his wizarding heritage and is invited to study at Hogwarts. The boy enrolls in the school of wizardry, where he learns the truth about himself, his family and the terrible evil that haunts the magical world. Harry Potter’s journey along with his friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, has captivated millions of fans worldwide. Eoching the sentiments of millions of fans of the legendary film series, Harry Potter, based on the books by author JK Rowling, Entertainment Tonight shared a nostalgic throwback video of the cast.
“What’s really magical is the fact that we’ve had 20 years of ‘Harry Potter’ and the wild wizard world,” read the caption of the clip. The video is specially focused on the third installment of the film, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban which just completed 20 years of its release. The Alfonso Cuaron directorial came out on 4 June 2004.
The video opens up with young Emma Watson, who played the witty and smart Hermione saying, “Don’t really know where to start to be honest.” Daniel Radcliffe, who played the lead Harry Potter said, “I almost don’t think of him even as a fictional character anymore, because he is so real.”
To this, Ronald Weasley aka actor Rupert Grint added, “I thought it was gonna be quite big but then the film came out and it was just, the premieres. So many people.”
Cut to a scene where the character is surrounded by a huge crowd of fans, Daniel Redcliff looked visibly surprised, happy and nervous. “It’s mad. It’s amazing. Thank you all very much for coming. It’s brilliant,” when asked what he thinks about this crowd. Actors Rupert, as well as Emma, greeted the overwhelming crowd.
Just then, we’re transferred into the world of Hogwarts in the film where Professor Albus Dumbledore welcomes students with his iconic lines saying, “Welcome to another year at Hogwarts.”
“It’s my favourite book and my favourite script,” said Emma Watson talking about the third Harry Potter film. “Everytime I watch it, I see something new.”
“From the moment they go back in time, to the moment where they catch up with themselves like you hear a clock ticking the whole time.,” Daniel pointed out. “It’s as well, like the dementors, innit, they are quite fantastic,” adds Rupert. “It’s a lot darker, yeah, definitely,” Daniel said.
Talking about her character in the film, Emma pointed out, “She is like that’s it. I am not having any more of it. She punches Malfoy.” “There were a few handholding moments too, so that was pretty fun to do,” added Rupert. To this, Daniel said, “So many people like it, there doesn’t seem to be any kind of regimented idea of what a Harry Potter fan is.” “I just feel very lucky to be doing it,” concluded Emma.
Watch the throwback video here:
In this 2004 film, we also meet Sirius Black, played by Gary Leonard Oldman. He is an escaped prisoner. As for the film’s plot, in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter, Ron and Hermione return to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for their third year of studying Wizardry. There, they uncover the mystery surrounding Sirius Black and save the day once again at Hogwarts.