Daniel Radcliffe's parents turned down first Harry Potter role

The world-famous actor almost missed out on the part, after his parents were worried about the disruption

Rupert Grint, Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe at the world premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2
Rupert Grint, Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe at the world premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2
(Image credit: Rex Features)

The world-famous actor almost missed out on the part, after his parents were worried about the disruption

He may be an international star with millions in the bank, but Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe has revealed he almost missed out on the world famous part, because his parents turned it down.

HARRY POTTER STARS: THEN AND NOW

According to the wizarding star, his mum and dad decided against him taking the role, as was based in LA, and would have meant ‘too much disruption’ for the then 10-year-old.

But just months later, bosses decided the film would actually be shot at studios England, meaning lucky Mr Radcliffe was able to audition for the part. 

‘Chris Columbus had seen David Copperfield and said, “I want to audition this boy.”’ he revealed to the Hollywood Reporter, ahead of the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 on DVD.

‘They went to my parents, and, at the time, the deal was to sign on for - I think - six films, all to be done in L.A., and my mum and dad simply said, “That’s too much disruption to his life. That’s not gonna happen.” 

He added: ‘I didn’t know any of that had gone on. And then, maybe three, four months down the line, the deal had changed, and it was gonna be to shoot two films, and they’d both be done in England, and so they said, “Okay, we’ll let him audition.’

‘And then it all went from there, really.’

WATCH: J.K Rowling talks the women of Harry Potter….

Speaking of finding fame since the Harry Potter movies, Dan added: ‘There are, obviously, upsides to it, but I’d say that the upsides, for me, are the upsides that come from my job rather than from the celebrity aspect.

‘I mean, celebrity is horrible - that’s the truth, is that it’s a ghastly, vile thing.’

HARRY POTTER STARS: THEN AND NOW

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