Daniel Radcliffe on his latest work, ping-pong, and if there’s a future for Harry
Daniel Radcliffe has finally done it- he’s finally killed Harry Potter. In a recent interview with Variety, Radcliffe admitted that he has been working tirelessly to be in as many “un-Harry” things as possible since the series ended in 2011.
He’s starred in three Broadway productions, the most recent being The Cripple of Inishmaan, and the indie film Kill Your Darlings last year. Last weekend, he went to San Diego Comic-Con to promote the movie Horns, and he just got back from Toronto and his promotion of The F Word (a.k.a. What If). He is also planning a cameo in Judd Apatow’s new comedy, Trainwreck, which is a movie in a movie wherein Radcliffe plays himself acting in a movie called The Dog Walker (which might explain that odd picture floating around of him walking at least 10 dogs). And if that weren’t enough, he’s playing Igor in the upcoming movie from 20th Century Fox, Frankenstein. With a full schedule like this, Radcliffe says he finds a different appeal in each type of acting. But the chances that he’ll return to Harry Potter are slim. He said,
I cannot envisage a set of circumstances where I would play him again.
But it’s become apparent that even if Radcliffe has left the wizarding world behind, we aren’t done seeing him perform just yet.
Radcliffe’s most recent film, What If, comes out in August and plans to be the romantic comedy of the summer, if not the whole year. CBS Films head Terry Press said of the film,
When I went to the screening, I was completely skeptical about it. I was reluctant and suspicious and sat there during the movie and was completely won over by him.
But what does Daniel do when he isn’t busy going from set to interview to premiere? He’s relaxing (but not too much) by playing table tennis. “I’m viciously competitive at that,” he told Jimmy Kimmel during an interview. Last week, Daniel celebrated his 25th birthday by going to a surprise party, put together by his girlfriend, actress Erin Darke, at a table tennis club. Daniel’s interest began when, during production of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Rupert Grint acquired a ping pong table, and Daniel and his hair stylist would play constantly.
Daniel also went to Comic-Con this past weekend and decided to have some fun by dressing in full costume. He said,
I was doing press there for a film, but I was also determined to have some fun while I was there, and there’s no point in going to Comic-Con unless you go on the floor, and I’ve never been before. So I wanted to go down and see it. So I was dressed as Spider-Man.
I had my assistant with me and my security, just one guy, and Spencer, my assistant, went as Batman, and Sam was a Spartan from 300. Although he didn’t have a sword, or a spear, he was just sort of in a robe with a helmet. He was a Spartan at home.
Daniel didn’t even have to convince them all to dress up. He admits that he did instigate the costumes but said his assistant and security didn’t put up too much of a fight about it.
Although Daniel Radcliffe may have given up on Harry for now, he does provide fans with a glimmer of hope.
Maybe there’s a chance that things go so well, I can go back.
Until then, we’ll just have to settle for devouring every movie he acts in, every interview he does, and every hair cut he gives a stranger on the street during a Jimmy Kimmel show.