Actor Tom Felton has suggested his lack of Harry Potter knowledge may actually have helped him win the role of Draco Malfoy in the film series. The actor’s IMDB page states that he had not read any Harry Potter books before successfully auditioning for the role of Harry’s rival, Draco Malfoy, back in 1999.
Lauren Laverne asked Tom about it during the One Show on Tuesday. “That couldn’t be true,” replied Tom, with a teasing grimace. The 34-year-old then revealed he was caught out by director Chris Columbus as he tried to blag his way through questions about JK Rowling’s books.
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“They lined up all the Dracos I guess, and asked them which part of the book they were most excited about seeing made into film,” Tom told The One Show. “I only realised that when the chap next to me was answering the question, that I did not know what the hell they were talking about. So I sort of repeated what the chap next to me said and Chris Columbus, the director, saw straight through my lie, and that may have helped clinch me the part for Draco. It worked out in my favour!”
Tom was cast as Slytherin boy Draco for all eight Harry Potter films. He was reunited with fellow stars including Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson for Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts, which first aired on New Year’s Day this year to mark the 20th anniversary of the first film was released in cinemas.
He is set to star alongside Doctor Who actress Mandip Gill in a new West End show, 2.22 – A Ghost story at the Criterion Theatre. It opens on Saturday, May 7.
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