As ‘Harry Potter’ gears up for a major reboot on HBO, the original boy wizard, Daniel Radcliffe, has been revisiting memories from his time in the beloved film franchise. After stepping out of the world created by J.K. Rowling, the magic seemed to follow him beyond Hogwarts.
In his latest appearance, Radcliffe once again turned back the clock and shared a particularly unforgettable, and honestly bizarre, moment from his ‘Harry Potter‘ days. It involved what he considers one of the worst film ideas ever pitched to him.
Daniel Radcliffe Reveals the Strangest Reboot Idea Of His Career
While appearing on First We Feast’s Hot Ones with host Sean Evans, the 36-year-old actor was asked about the most bizarre project he ever agreed to. Instead, Radcliffe flipped the question and recalled a project he refused.
It was a proposed remake of ‘The Wizard of Oz‘ starring himself, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint at the height of their ‘Harry Potter‘ fame.
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According to Radcliffe, someone wanted Watson as Dorothy, though he can’t remember what role Grint was supposed to play. But he vividly recalls his own casting: the Cowardly Lion, except this version also knew karate. Radcliffe laughed as he explained he was meant to play a “karate-kicking Cowardly Lion,” which immediately sent Evans into hysterics.
Even as a teenager, he sensed it was a disaster in the making. Radcliffe said he was around 14 or 15 at the time and thought, “I don’t know much about the world, but this is a bad idea, and it should not be made.”
Looking back, he joked that the person pitching it felt like “the laziest, craziest person in the world,” though he admitted the memory still makes him laugh.
The Memory Returns As A New ‘Harry Potter’ Generation Begins
Recently, Radcliffe has been reflecting more on his ‘Harry Potter‘ years as a new television adaptation moves into production. HBO has cast Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout, and Arabella Stanton as the new Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
Radcliffe revealed he has stayed in touch with Watson and Grint, and all three share the same surreal feeling about watching a new group of young actors begin the journey they once experienced.
In case you missed it: ‘Harry Potter’ Movies Robbed Us Of Draco Malfoy’s Most Vulnerable Moment With Moaning Myrtle
When they see photos of the new cast, Radcliffe says the reaction is emotional. “You just see the pictures of these kids, and you just want to grab them and hug them,” he said. “That’s the impulse that I think that we, mainly, all have.”
The new ‘Harry Potter‘ series is expected to premiere on HBO in 2026, ushering in a fresh generation of witches and wizards.
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