Tom Felton has opened up about how he bagged a staple role in the Harry Potter movies and, quite frankly, it’s the most Draco Malfoy reason ever.
The actor, now 34, starred in all of the original films, finishing his turn as Slytherin’s resident bully in the eighth and final flick Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.
These days, Felton’s well aware that he struck gold as the scowling foe of the titular wizard and his pals Hermione and Ron – any fan of the franchise will likely agree that it’s hard to imagine anyone else playing the character.
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And that is what makes his latest revelation all the more surprising – turns out, he wasn’t at all interested in Harry Potter when he auditioned. What’s more, he reckons it was his nonchalant attitude that bagged him the role.
In a new interview with The Guardian, he explained: “I was also one of the only ones who had no idea what Harry Potter was at the time. Anyone could try out for it, so many excited kids went along who loved the books deeply.”
As for Felton, it was just another audition, something the publication said was nothing new for the experienced child actor, who was 12 at the time.
The outlet went on to point out that they initially auditioned him as Harry and Ron, dying his hair black and then ginger, only to realise he was the ideal Draco.
“I reckon I got the part because I was nonchalant, and had no idea what anyone was on about,” he added. “Wizards in cupboards under the stairs? And with three older brothers, you learn to be confident quickly.
“I think Chris Columbus, the director, recognised this slight disinterest and arrogance in me, which he thought could work for Malfoy.”
And it seems this blasé outlook continued throughout his turn as the Slytherin star, telling the outlet that his rise to fame wasn’t quite how you’d picture it.
“It happened somewhat slower than you might imagine, and it’s not like I was particularly sensible: I bought cars for my brothers, a house for my mum, skateboards and video games for me,” he said.
“We were going to make two [Harry Potter films] initially. If after the second, the kids still looked young enough, maybe we’d do a third. Then a fourth. It went on like that. We never signed up for 12 years.
“At some point I just assumed they’d replace us with decent actors, but they never did.”
All that being said, Felton remains grateful to this day that he was part of such a significant franchise, stating: “I feel very lucky, and I do love talking about it, even when I should probably be plugging other projects.”
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Topics: Harry Potter, Film and TV
Daisy Phillipson