UK: WORLD PREMIERE HELD FOR LONG-AWAITED FILM ADAPTATION OF HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE.

Record ID: 392119

  • Title: UK: WORLD PREMIERE HELD FOR LONG-AWAITED FILM ADAPTATION OF HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE.
  • Date: 4th November 2001
  • Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (NOVEMBER 4, 2001) (REUTERS) RUPERT GRINT ACTOR PLAYING RON WEASLEY TALKING
  • Embargoed: 19th November 2001 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Reuters ID: LVA7762KFD5OIUIJNHRQQ3SOUZBH
  • Story Text: The magic of Harry Potter has been at work again, this time in Leicester Square in London for the world premiere of one of the most eagerly awaited films in recent history.
    The Odeon cinema in London's Leicester Square became Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry on Sunday (November 4) for the star-studded gathering who came to watch "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone".
    Hundreds of devoted fans queued for hours in the cold sunshine, some wearing capes and hats, others clutching owls, all hoping to become part of the magic.
    The $125 million (USD) two and a half hour-long movie, which opens to the public on November 16, is set to be a blockbuster. Author JK. Rowling's four books about Harry and his adventures at Hogwarts have already sold 100 million copies in 46 languages.
    Singer Sting, the Duchess of York with her daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, and heavily-pregnant Australian actress Cate Blanchett were among dozens of celebrities and celebrity children attending the premiere.
    Child actor Daniel Radcliffe, who cried when he discovered he had beaten thousands of youngsters to play the role of Harry, said he was shaking with nerves.
    "This is the epitome of nervousness," the 12-year-old actor said. But, away from the broomsticks he flies in the movie, his feet were firmly on the ground.
    "I'll never think of myself as a star. If my life was going to change, I think it would already have done so," he said.
    Co-stars Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, who play his schoolmates Ron and Hermione, looked just as bemused by the screams from adoring fans and the camera flashes.
    Rowling, who is fiercely protective of her creation and determined that Harry should not be turned into a saccharine Hollywood horror, told reporters that she was "very happy".
    She resisted pleas from Hollywood until she felt they had found the right director in Christopher Columbus, who had worldwide hits with "Home Alone" and "Mrs Doubtfire".
    Columbus, who pledged his loyalty to the original book and shot the film in England with a homegrown cast, said he had wanted to make the film since the moment his daughter handed him the book.
    Columbus said work on the next Harry Potter film had already begun. Four books into her Potter saga, Rowling has already plotted what will happen at the end of the seventh and final book.
    --
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