With the Harry Potter gravy train coming to an end very soon, the principal cast are all beginning to scratch around for alternative employment. Emma Watson has lined up the romantic drama, Napoleon And Betsy, while Daniel Radcliffe will be flopping his cock around on stage in the Broadway version of Equus.
So that leaves Rupert Grint. So far the 19 year-old has made just two non-Potter flicks – the kids’ film, Thunderpants, when he was knee-high to a house elf, and the decent Britflick, Driving Lessons, in 2006.
But now he’s lined up the lead role in Cherrybomb, a drama which will be set – and, it’s good to see, filmed - in Belfast.
Grint will play one of two best friends who compete for the same girl, with tragic consequences. (Spoiler!)
Kimberly Nixon will play the object of Grint’s affection, while Robert Sheehan plays his friend-cum-rival in a movie that seems as far removed from Hogwarts as can be. And quite rightly so – because of his distinctive red hair, Grint will find escaping Ron Weasley to be perhaps even harder than, say, Radcliffe will find shaking off Harry Potter. So it’s time to get out there and add a few strings to his bow.
Careful, though, Rupert – this Empire journo will be studying your Norn Iron accent with great interest. It’s a tough one to master.
Cherrybomb will be directed by first-timers Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glen Leyburn – who, Empire has just remembered, ran a film course we attended in Belfast in 1998 while we were at uni. Glad to see that they’re going up in the world!