Father Geek here with a report on that wildly popular HARRY POTTER from ol' Ozymandias on the Emerald Isle. All I know is people who love Harry Potter love Harry Potter not some rewrite of Harry Potter, Chris had better beware changing the character...
Hey Father Geek,
My man with his ear to the ground in the UK Tommy Q has passed this one on to me today - Film Unlimited (hyperlink to http://www.filmunlimited.co.uk/News_Story/Exclusive/0,4029,341750,00.html ) seems to be suggesting that Columbus is doing a u-turn on the whole Brits Vs Americans debate over the nationality of the lad who should eventually play Harry Potter... This one will rumble and rumble on:
Following the extraordinary scenes that greeted the publication of the fourth Harry Potter book, the Goblet of Fire, this weekend, a fresh row has broken out over the casting of the trainee wizard in the movie of the first book: The Sorcerer's Stone.
British casting executive Susie Figgis has been scouring Britain for the right young actor to play JK Rowling's hero and is understood to have come up with ten possibilities. Top of her list was thought to be Durham-born Jamie Bell who makes his big-screen debut in the autumn, alongside Julie Walters in Dancer.
However, according to Annanova, director Christopher Columbus is less than impressed with the choices of actor on offer. The Home Alone and Mrs Doubtfire henchman has even consulted American casting expert Janet Hirshenson over the problem, leaving Figgis exasperated
It is thought that the main area of contention is that Columbus now wants to place an American boy in the part of Potter, despite his claims in March this year that: "It's essential to find a British boy to play Harry."
JK Rowling has specifically said that she wants a British child to play the role, and this row echoes earlier problems in the film's production when Steven Spielberg, who was originally lined up to direct the film, walked away from the project after disputes over the casting of Harry.
According to an insider: "Where does Columbus go from here? Back to America to probably cast the boy he had in mind in the first place. The whole business has become totally political... Since Renee Zellweger got the Bridget Jones part in Bridget Jones's Diary, the feeling is that Americans are much more acceptable than they used to be in very British style roles."
Top British actors such as Dame Maggie Smith, Amanda Burton and Robbie Coltrane are rumoured to be interested in supporting roles in the movie which is due to go into production in the autumn in the UK.
L8r,
Ozymandias
Penthouse Suite, Ozymandias Towers, Dublin, Ireland.
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