“It does not do well to dwell on dreams and forget to live, remember that.”
These wise words, spoken by the character Albus Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) in the book and movie “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” seem to have guided his co-stars through their days following the bittersweet end of the Harry Potter series. Instead of dwelling on what has finally come to a close, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint have all embraced the new opportunities that have come knocking.
Starring in the first Harry Potter film as preteens, these actors grew up in a magical world. Audiences watched them through their childhood, and they became defined by the beloved series.
However, Radcliffe, Watson, and Grint are all grown up now and have moved beyond the imposing castle walls of Hogwarts and into the Forbidden Forest of adulthood. Some of their post-Potter projects include Broadway shows, horror films, and fashion photo shoots.
Daniel Radcliffe, the main character of the movie series, has played the lead in his second Broadway show, “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” which opened in February 2011. Radcliffe’s first Broadway show was “Equus,” a project he took on in order to prove to fans that he could handle a serious role.
In February 2012, Radcliffe will star in his first film following the final Harry Potter movie, a thriller called “The Woman in Black.” He is also rumored to appear in “Jay and Seth vs. the Apocalypse,” an action-comedy movie that will reach movie theaters in 2012, according to IMDb, the Internet movie database.
Emma Watson, who plays Harry’s brilliant best friend Hermione Granger, took a step away from the world of witchcraft and wizardry with her small part as Marilyn’s wardrobe girl Lucy in “My Week With Marilyn,” which premiered at the New York Film Festival Sunday, Oct. 9, and will open in theaters on Nov. 4, according to The New York Times. Watson was also involved in real-life fashion as she modeled for the high-end brand Burberry.
Her next project, however, is her true opportunity to shine. Always the helpful sidekick or the doting assistant, Watson scores a lead in the highly anticipated film “The Perks of Being a Wallflower.” She plays Sam, a high school senior in this adaptation of Stephen Chbosky’s novel, which was a beloved success. Still, the movie was only made after Watson expressed her interest and encouraged Summit Entertainment to pick it up, according to the New York Times.
Rupert Grint, Harry Potter’s other best friend and Hermione Granger’s love interest, has finally made his way to the forefront in several movies, according to IMDb. He plays the lead in the horror movie “Cross Country” and the real-life comedy “Eddie the Eagle,” both predicted to be released in 2011. In addition, Grint is one of the stars in the Norwegian film “Comrade” and is heard as one of the voices in the animation movie “Postman Pan: The Movie – You Know You’re the One,” which is projected for release in 2013.
The sheer number of new projects for Grint and his partners in magical mischief reveals the fresh direction they are taking their careers in after growing up on screen and being defined by the Harry Potter movies. Although Radcliffe, Watson, and Grint were children when they first boarded the Hogwarts Express Train, their roles were not childish. The films, adapted from the bestselling books, tell an epic story of good versus evil that can be appreciated by anyone, 14 or 40 years old, in need of a reminder that love and friendship will always conquer hate.
The Harry Potter series was only a chapter in the lives of Radcliffe, Watson, and Grint, and their own stories are still being written.
Cara Reilly is the Copy Editor Chief for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.