He may have spent the first part of 2007 on a West End stage, playing with horses in his birthday suit, but it was back to business as usual last night for the world’s first wizard, as Daniel Radcliffe led the Hogwarts Alumni down the red carpet. It is the world premiere of Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix, and Leicester Square is festooned with enough hocus pocus frills and swooping sounds to fill two pairs of Hagrid’s pants. The Potter clan are all in attendance to remind us why this bespectacled hero has been captivating audiences across the world ever since he went looking for the Philosopher’s stone some six years ago. And what a ride it’s been, particularly for Radcliffe, Grint and Watson, who – now all well into their late teens – have grown up with the Harry Potter franchise, and will continue to do so as we’re treated to Harry Six and Seven over the next three years.
Of course, a UK Harry Potter premiere wouldn’t be the same without typical UK weather. And The Order Of The Phoenix celebrations don’t disappoint, as within minutes of the leading trio’s arrival, the dementors take control of the skies and force rain, hail and general unpleasantness on the stars, the press and the thronging, screaming fans who have been waiting patiently throughout the day. And Harry Potter fans can definitely scream. In fact, by Empire’s reckoning, they can scream, shout and, in many cases, cry for almost three hours at a time.
“It’s crazy”, says the somewhat bewildered Rupert Grint: “The great thing is that everyone seems to be getting bigger and better along with the films and the best thing is about this movie is that Ron stops being the wimp and becomes much tougher. It’s really cool.” It may be the fifth time out the gates for Harry and chums, but for director David Yates this is his first time being caught in the vortex of Harrymania, London-style: “This is wicked. It’s like Christmas and birthday all rolled into one”, says the softly spoken helmer: “I think this film is very intense, more emotional and it’s very interesting to see these characters develop with the world around them…shooting this movie was the best filmmaking experience I’ve ever had”. “He’s [Yates] brought a real emotional conviction and compassion to Harry Potter”, added producer and franchise Emperor David Heyman, “he’s also managed to get the best performances out of the cast”.
And there’s certainly one person amid tonight’s rain-battered chaos who agrees: “That’s what made this movie so fun”, says the diminutive but incredibly-excited-about-cricket Radcliffe (who’s just spotted Shane Warne): “I loved doing the emotional scenes even more than the action sequences”. “You never get used to this”, reveals Emma Watson, “but it’s great. There is a real sense of the Harry Potter family”. And what about her thoughts for the future of Ms. Hermione Granger?: “Well, I really want her to get with Ron…and…um…not die!”
The crowds begin to simmer down and wands, hats, glasses and owls are safely stowed away as Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix is about to start. Potter’s sixth outing begins shooting in September with David Yates directing again and the main cast are all in place to venture into the world of magic once again. Oh, and there’s the small matter of J.K. Rowling’s final adventure hitting the book shelves in a few weeks. Wizards have never had it so good.