Tom Felton speaks out about Voldemort/Draco hug at DragonCon

Follow @Hypable

Share on Tumblr

by James Bean
@ThisIsJimmyBean

Posted on 5:15 pm,
September 7, 2011

Not only did viewers of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows-Part 2 not see the oft criticized Voldy/Draco hug coming in the final moments of the film, but apparently neither did Tom Felton!

According to this interview with Tom Felton at DragonCon, Ralph Fiennes and he did “about 25″ takes of the scene where Voldemort calls Draco down to join the Death Eaters. Only once did Ralph decide to hug him. The moment wasn’t in the script and Felton described the memory as “pretty menacing.”

He goes on to talk about how British audiences found the unsettling tone of the scene while American audiences thought it was awkward and funny. He also mentions that he was as surprised as anyone to see that it was the take that was used in the final cut of the film.

So what do you think? Was the Voldy/Draco hug just a little too much for your awkward-o-meter? Did you find it as unsettling and menacing as Tom Felton did?

View the latest stories about Harry Potter

Anonymous

I loved it. It was funny but at the same time quite unsettling. I took it as voldy trying to do something he has never done which is hug. So it looked awkward for him but I love the effect it had! I’m glad it was in there!
http://giddyauntflamingnora.tumblr.com Jenny Tattum

I think it’s interesting how he says ‘British audiences found the unsettling tone of the scene while American audiences thought it was awkward and funny.’ I think most people over here across the pond were snickering at that bit too :L but yes, it was menacing and… unexpected?

Lily

My (british) audience burst out laughing too, maybe Tom has just been to some unique screenings…

http://giddyauntflamingnora.tumblr.com Jenny Tattum

haha, it would appear that way :L maybe some little cinema in the middle of the English countryside or it’s been empty or something…

Roonil

I absolutely love this, one of my favourite scenes. The people I went to see it with hated it and said that they were just trying to make a dark moment funny, but I honestly see this is Voldemort finally losing his grip and that makes it so much scarier. Very good choice putting it in the movie.
Jackie

It was one of my fave scenes. I literally laughed out loud. It was just funny to me seeing Voldy very happy.
Mayvioletblackburn

You know what is interesting…

At the midnight premiere, all the hardcore fans laughed hysterically at the hug
but when I saw the movie again a few weeks later with just the general audience, only one person laughed.
And I live in Canada. so I think it depends on the audience.

ali

its true! at the premiere, everybody’s reactions were more intense;p

Anon8

It was weird…and funny. I can’t imagine the scene any other way though now.
Clive

I love that hug. It’s one of my favourite moments from the entire series. It’s kinda hilarious, but at the same time horribly creepy. It shows you how Inhuman he’s become, more than any amount of murder could.

Anonymous

When I saw the hug everyone thought it was really funny but I was horrified. I was like really into the movie at that point and I was scared out of my pants and disgusted. it was sickening and scary…..poor draco

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=605784922 Kristen Wilhoit

The hug definitely added to the feeling of unease, but after seeing so many GIFS about it, I can’t help but laugh at it now. :)
Liam

The only thing I didn’t like about the hug is how big of a thing its become. I always thought it was unsettling and showed how crazy Voldemort really is but a lot of people think it’s hilarious and it upsets me.
http://twitter.com/shawgibbons Shaw Gibbons

Although the scene is quite funny from a fan perspective, I really think it’s quite menacing. It shows Voldemort’s utter inhumanity that he can’t even pretend to show affection to another human being.
http://twitter.com/xhpfanatic Grace Chen

LOL, it was the best!
guest

I personally love how the interpreter signs “Voldemort”. She puts her hand over her nose.

JB

That is not the sign for “Voldemort” she was signing “funny”. She fingerspelled Voldemort.

http://twitter.com/bright_vanderde Naru

To save time maybe she could’ve just signed ‘Voldy’ instead :P

Madtownvox

check out the bit at 2:16 of this vid where spot on Narcissa and Lucius Cosplayers inquire about Draco’s not ending up with Pansy Parkinson. HI-Larious!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMjSHukgti4&feature=autoshare
Sarahaliceoakey

It was what it was meant to be; awkward and menacing. I think the filmmakers achieved that perfectly. When I saw it in the theatre I was just creeped out. I think that was the point.
http://twitter.com/VeronicaADuff Veronica Duff

I actually really liked it. At first, I was like ‘WTF?’ but after seeing the movie a few times, I saw it as a political ploy on Voldemort’s part to show that he can be merciful. He doesn’t love, so obviously he wasn’t in the mood for some Draco affection. It was to demonstrate to the students of Hogwarts that he wasn’t as heartless as they thought he was – which he was, but that’s beside the point. I figured it’s an act much like politicians kissing babies.
emi1013

Rate how awkward your hugs are on a scale of 1 to Voldemort. Go!

Trumpeter 72395

they go past Voldemort all the way into “naked pettigrew”

Elena

When I saw it at the premier, the entire theater was laughing. I thought it was a brilliant part that was thrown in, and Ralph and Tom performed it very nicely. Awkwardness and all!

http://twitter.com/CatKoski Cat Koski

For some reason, the midnight premieres are in my opinion hilarious, and it might just be that everyone’s dead tired but super amped on excitement, and therefore everything is laugh/snicker worthy, even in such a non-funny movie

but seriously me and my friends were lol-ing at Draco and Voldy’s hug, and the fact that Voldy can’t move his hands it’s like there stuck in that half-cupped curl all the time

Starkid Elizabeth

i laughed during the movie. My friends looked at me like I was crazy. I agree with Andrew Sims on how they shouldnt touch
Sassy

The first time i saw it i thought it was weird and awkward, but now that i think about it, if Voldemort hugged me like that i would probably crap my pants out of fear he would decide to just rip my face off or something.
Anonymous

that was a pretty awkward hug! :D
Lax_punky97

“It was special.” hahaha xD this is why i love tom xD
Anonymous

So that wasn’t acting that Tom had on his face when Ralph hugged him, that was real awkwardness. lol I really liked that scene, after all of the fighting and killing Voldemort is trying to appear human. But because he doesn’t know what affection is, it comes across as really creepy.
http://twitter.com/when_she_smiles lindsay

I loved it. I thought it was great character and plot wise.

BUT OH MY GOD SO AWKWARD.
StarQuill

When I first saw it, I was really confused in the theater. Everyone was looking around like “What is he doing…?” But thinking back on it, I can understand how horrible that must have been for Draco.
http://twitter.com/Thomassholan Thomas Sholan

I didn’t find it funny at all, it was extremely creepy and weird. Which by the way is what makes it such a great addition.
The Real HP

Gotta love Americans…. We find old, mutilated murderers hugging little, troubled boys hilarious…
http://www.facebook.com/BibbHerrod Bibb Herrod

I always thought it was chilling and scary rather than funny and I’m from America.
http://twitter.com/chessley_meyers Chelsea Miles

This is how I think about it. Book Voldemort: Hug would have never ever happened. His evil was cool and collected. Movie Voldemort: Definitely within character. The way Ralph Fiennes has played him is manically crazy, so it fits the characterization. But, being American, I was part of those laughing at the hug the first time I saw the movie, but having time to think about it, it does seem within character.

Chellearia

I think both book Voldy and movie Voldy had that attitude, though, of wanting people to realize that as long as you’re a pure blood, you’ll be “accepted” and welcomed. Political motive, as someone mentioned earlier.

Anonymous

I guess I was the typical American because I found it extremely awkward and funny, the whole theater was cracking up. But I’m also a New Yorker and I think we laugh at most people anyway :D
KBN

“It was special.” LOL :)
http://twitter.com/TonksAmy Amy Tonks

the awkward draco/voldy hug was hilarious, though I’m one of those American audience members… But the awkward Draco/Voldy hug has been one of the best running jokes between me and my friends.
http://twitter.com/MrsHogwarts samreen khan

Just found voldemort’s ‘Ah’ really annoying, specially if you see the extended cut. Otherwise, it was just different, because normally head of villians dont hug their memebers, but Ralph did, so its just add little bit humour and difference it.
Anonymous

I think the problem wasn’t the awkwardness, but the fact that the Voldemort I know would never do it. Can anyone imagine the “book Voldemort” hugging anyone?… I know the “movie Voldemort” is quite a different character, but nonetheless…

NifflerQueen

Yeah, I agree with you. Also, it bothered me in the very beginning (at Malfoy Manor in Part 1) that he told Snape he was beginning to worry about him because he was late. Book Voldemort all but THREATENED them when Snape and Yaxley were “very nearly late”, he didn’t express his affection!!!

Anonymous

Totally! That scene bothered me as well! In the book the Deatheaters were dead scared of Voldemort. Their respect grounded in absolute fear. And in the movie they are at ease, most of them. Some cracking jokes… Voldemort is much more terrifying the book form. =)

Anonymous

I didn’t even realise it was awkward until I listened to Ben comment on it on Mugglecast… I’m South African, so perhaps I have the British view?
Susie

EH HEH HEH!
http://twitter.com/upper_westsider NYC Girl

I’m with the Brits on this one. I thought the hug was creepy.
Anonymous

I thought it was creepy, and I loved it.
HP4EVER

i thought it was hilarious!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1683360003 Paige Barton

I was there!! I was on the other side of the room of the person who was video taping this
Linka

Actually… I thought it was a really tense scene. I actually held my breath when they hugged because it was actually kind of scary. I felt as if Voldemort was going to snap. Obviously, he wouldn’t… but still. It was creepy. I did not find it funny. Sure, it was an awkward hug but that’s because Voldemort hasn’t hugged anyone… ever. It shows how dehuman he is. He’s cold and unable to express affection.
SlythVx13

I thought it was awkward and funny, but at the same time, I thought it was their way of showing that Voldemort had pretty much cracked/weakened by that point that he did something out of character. I had a friend who was furious over it though because Voldemort would never do something like that in the books. I don’t care. It gave me a chuckle during a sad point.

SlythVx13

Ps: I think what added to my amusement was when Dean Thomas grinned a little. He thought it was awkward too! That cutie

Allison Razo

I just thought it was stupid. It was another instance for untimely humor in the movie… Though I don’t know if the humor was intended.
Peeta_pettigrew

I thought it was more menacing. I didn’t get why people thought it was funny
bellatrix

haha i didnt even notice the hug when i first watched the movie! but seeing it again it IS really awkward……… im glad they left it in though!
nillamonster

I laughed out loud in the theater… that’s how hilarious i found it. My friend and i were giggling for the rest of the scene. It was awesome.
katie_lavelle2

Yeah, I’m from the States & everyone in my theatre (at all 3 showings I went to) laughed at that. The first time, I didn’t laugh and I was so confused as to why others were- it’s not funny; the guy doesn’t know how to love. So then I was annoyed that the other fans in the audience with me weren’t getting what was going on. I mean, it’s the midnight, 3D IMAX showing. If you’re that big of a fan you should know what’s up with his Voldy-Psyche. The laughing at the 2D showing I attended and the other 3D showing I attended weeks after the original release didn’t bother me because I assume they’re not super huge fans & don’t invest too much time & attention to his Voldy-Psyche. But to me it was creepy & really made me uncomfortable so I thought it was bizarre that others were laughing.

katie_lavelle2

Also, to add to my own post; I loved this moment. I don’t want my post to make it seem like I didn’t. I just didn’t like the crowd’s reactions. I thought it was so creepy and awkward and the fact that it made me uncomfortable was fantastic because that’s what I think was intended and it takes great acting to really make a viewer feel like that. It was a great addition to the film and I’m very glad it’s in there.

Rebma

If there wasn’t a moment during the hug when Voldemort squeezes Draco a little tighter, I would have liked it. As it stands… a good idea, but I don’t think it belonged in the final edit.
Guest

I thought it was funny mostly because I’ve read many a fanfiction and it felt like that kind of scene. I don’t know. It was creepy as well, of course.
nobody

the “up next” video is him commenting on A Very Potter Musical.
Abbie

Am I bad if I thought it was hilarious?
….And is it bad that I might possibly replay that scene on YouTube over and over again just because Dean’s face is priceless?
Abbie

Am I bad if I thought it was hilarious?
….And is it bad that I might possibly replay that scene on YouTube over and over again just because Dean’s face is priceless?
Pingback: Hypable’s Weekend Round Up 9/11/2011: Harry Potter, Twilight, Glee and more! - Hypable
Luna_9101

MOST AWKWARD HUG EVER!!!!!
voldemort isn’t supposed to hug people!!!
CK

I felt the hug showed how utterly mad Voldemort had become.
TheGirlWhoLived

I was really freaked out by the hug. I’m American, and a lot of people thought it was funny, but I just thought it was scary and a little bit sad.
Whatupgee

LLAMA LLAMA HEY.
http://twitter.com/Worst_Beloved Truth Spanks

I think it was perfect! Tom did an awesome job in portraying a real villain who can instill fear into others.