BOOKS

MOVIES

THE MAGIC MAKERS

INTERESTING BITS

Cruticus (C): Hi, this is Chris from harrypotterspage.com. I just want to ask you some questions. I’ve read that your favourite authors are Darren Shan and JK Rowling. So you’ve read the Harry Potter books, have you?

Matt Lewis (ML): I have. I was a fan on the first four books before I went for my audition, and I think they’re great. I really, really enjoyed every single one of them and I’m looking forward to see how they turn out – book seven.

C: That’s cool! Have you met JK Rowling? I mean, being a great author that she is, she would have been a great guest?

ML: Oh yeah, I’ve met her a few times. The first time I don’t think I could physically speak ‘cause it was amazing ‘cause like you said, she is one of my favourite authors. And I was just a huge fan of Harry Potter, and it was great to meet her, and she’s actually really, really nice. She just spoke to us all individually and we had lunch with her. She is great to talk to. You can talk with her, and she’s nice. And yeah, it was great to meet her, I got a few pictures with her.

C: What do you like about her writing? What struck you about that?

ML: It’s a good question because before Harry Potter, I really could never finish books. I don’t know what it was. I used to get through a book and then I used to be like err, I just get bored towards the end. I just get bored really. But there’s something about her writing, I don’t know whether it’s every page at the end of it, but there is something you want to turn over for. I don’t know what that is really. At the end of every chapter, you’re always thinking, nah, I can’t stop here, I’ve got to carry on going. And I think that’s what it is. It’s the fact that she always leaves you on a cliff hanger. And you know the characters so well you have to know what happens to them, you can’t just leave it there.

C: Just on a personal note. What do your bothers and sister say when they know they have their brother in a Harry Potter film. Do they gloat about you or show you off?

ML: Uh, I don’t think so. Well, one of my brothers is an actor already and he’s been acting since he was ten. And he’s ah, (turns to his parents sitting beside him) how olds he? Twenty, twenty-two? Twenty-two, yeah. (Back to the interview) He’s twenty-two now, so he’s been acting for a long time. And he was the reason I got into this [Harry Potter films] the first place. He’s really, really proud of me and he’s happy for me. And if I have any problems, I want to go through a script or whatever, I can go to him. So, he’s great. And my other brother, also in the business, he’s on the other side of the camera. He’s an editor, cameraman, that sort of thing. So both of them, they’re great about it. I don’t know, they might go and gloat. That’s pretty nice if they do, they never told me they have. That’s cool.

C: What was it like working with Mike Newell and other cast members for Goblet of Fire?

ML: It’s almost un-describable; it was very, very cool. I know Mike Newell, he’s a great director. I’ve seen Four Weddings and a Funeral, it’s such a good film, and I’ve only seen it recently. Oh mate, it was so good, and when I first seen that, I was really looking forward to working with him. I know the other actors, like Alan Rickman and Maggie Smith, they’ve done so much good films, like Robin Hood and Die Hard, some of my favourite films, so to work with him and to be able to say you’ve worked with him; it’s amazing.

C: Did you get to see Ralph Fiennes as the Dark Lord?

ML: I never did. I’ve seen like some of the drawings and the Art Department’s work, but I never actually saw him in the make-up, so I’m really, really looking forward to see that on film; I’ve not seen it yet, so it should be good.

C: That’s good! Did Daniel Radcliffe actually explain to you or describe his work with Ralph Fiennes as the Dark Lord?

ML: No. I never really spoke to Dan after they finished the final bit with Voldemort. So I don’t really know much of what went on. All I know is the set is very, very good and it’s pretty scary apparently. I’m really looking forward to seeing it.

C: Were there any funny pranks at the Goblet of Fire set?

ML: Um, let’s think Goblet of Fire. (He ponders) I mean everyone has a laugh. Mike Newell is a really funny guy. We had a lot of fun. I can’t think of a really funny prank that was played. But I can think of one from other films. There has been some good ones…I remember on Prisoner of Azkaban, I don’t know if you remember the scene where they are all sleeping in the Great Hall, all the kids and Snape and Dumbledore are walking through the hall, its all really, really quiet, they’re having a whispered conversation and then (he laughs) suddenly a fart machine goes off at the back. And everyone’s trying to keep a shirt [act normal] and you just hear the odd sort of snigger in the background and everyone starts laughing. And they’re like, “well, what’s that? What went on?” Alfonso Curon, the director; he was in on it. And Dan Radcliffe, (he laughs again) had put a fart machine in someone’s backpack and set it off half-way through the scene. But Alfonso loved it. He loves a good joke. So he was really funny, he had everyone laughing. There’s been a few, it’s been funny.

C: That is very funny. Now, I’ve got just a quick word association game. I’ll just say a word and you tell me the first word that comes to you mind. (He laughs as I explain the concept) Ready. Alright. Magic?
ML: Oh man, um, James Phelps used that word a lot. So James would be the word that comes to my mind.

C: Harry Potter?

ML: (laughs hysterically) Glasses. (Laughs again)

C: Herbology?

ML: Grass

C: And finally Snape?

ML: Evil!

C: Cool thanks very much Matt.

ML: It’s been a pleasure.