Dan Radcliffe is doing lots of press to promote his new film Victor Frankenstein, and naturally he’s fielding lots of questions about the Harry Potter fandom.
In the years since Deathly Hallows hit theaters, Dan has done all he can to shed his association with Harry Potter. He went nude on London’s West End, he starred in a Broadway musical, and he played a gay character in an indie movie.
And yet, the same questions about Potter have popped up again and again.
Thankfully — unlike previous media marathons during which there was no new Harry Potter news to discuss — recent interviews with the star have focused on exciting developments in the fandom. That’s right: this time he wasn’t asked to reflect on playing the Boy Wizard for the millionth time!
– On No-Maj, the American term for Muggle, Dan has awarded it his stamp of approval: “I have no strong opinions about this,” he said to Mashable. “We have different words in England, so it makes perfect sense that there should be a different word for it in America.”
– On potentially returning for The Cursed Child: Will he star in the new Harry Potter stage play? “No, not to my knowledge,” he said on Live! with Kelly and Michael, “Unless I’m booked and I don’t know. I think Harry is supposed to be 19 years older in the play so that’s a very good excuse for me not to be doing that.”
“Unless it runs for another 15 years, I will not be old enough to play that part,” he added, “Which I’m fine with, I’m very happy now to see Potter go on to other people — although it would be weird if I was to see that show and see someone else playing that part. It would be weird.”
Kelly Ripa suggested he could go backstage and give advice to the new Harry Potter. “Boo! The films were better!” Dan joked.
– On recent Fantastic Beasts previews: Asked if he was excited about the spinoff, he responded, “I can barely keep myself in this chair. Yes, I am very excited. I’ve also been asked about it a lot, and I don’t have any information to give unfortunately. But still, I’ve seen the image of Eddie [from last week’s first look], which is great.”
Asked if he has any advice for Eddie, Dan advised he should “just enjoy it” since there isn’t a book to live up to.
“I don’t think he needs advice, just like enjoy it,” he said. “I don’t think there’s anything to live up to as well, especially in a way … it’s not like there’s an original source material which is a very strong narrative. You know the Fantastic Beasts book is really cool, but it’s a bestiary. I hope he’s just enjoying it and not under too much pressure.”
Since Dan had to deal with the Harry Potter questions, give him another moment of your time by watching the trailer for Victor Frankenstein which opens next weekend:
