For Harry Potter fans, the question of the week seems to be, "Is Daniel Radcliffe crazy? Or crazy like a fox?" Now that Scholastic has announced that the seventh and final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, is being published on July 21 (161 days and counting!), one week after the fifth movie hits theaters, that makes three separate Radcliffe-related news bombs in seven days. First, on Sunday, HBO aired an episode of Ricky Gervais’ Extras that hilariously featured the 17-year-old British actor as a hypersexualized version of himself, leading to the fall-out-of-your-chair-funny moment where he asks Dame Diana Rigg if he could have his "prophylactic" back. A day later, several shirtless publicity pics of the upcoming (and of age, people!) Equus star appeared online and naturally spread like crazyfire in the blogosphere. Now, we’re finally getting word of the date when we find out if HP lives or joins the ‘rents in the great wizarding beyond. Quite a coincidence, no?
If Radcliffe’s intent was to shake up his image, clearly he’s succeeded. Personally, I think the guy’s an actor and needs to lay the foundation for his post-Potter life. It’s not like he’s running around drunk, nude, and high through the streets of London. He’s starring in a serious and admittedly adult play opposite a Tony-winning actor—the brilliant Richard Griffiths, who interestingly enough, plays his Uncle Vernon Dursley in the Potter series. And there’s no way he or his parents wouldn’t have anticipated the reaction he’s received this week. Either way, the actor (and his happy trail) are surely making the decision-makers at Scholastic nervous. Does anyone else think the news about the final HP book release date may have been part of a not-so-crazy conspiracy to help save Radcliffe’s image and keep him a magical child for just a bit longer?
I don’t really think Radcliffe is in the need of image saving at the moment. It was inevitable that if he wanted to be a serious actor that he was going to start moving beyond the world of Harry Potter and he’s started to do that in a rather bold and daring way. The fact that he’s chosen the difficult role in Equus demonstrates that he wants to be a serious actor. More power to him for taking control of his image and having some fun with it. Lord knows other people have been making money off his face since he was 11 so it’s time he had a say in the matter.
3 stories is hardly overexposure, especially considering that he’s not in the news every single day like other celebs.
If Daniel thought to follow in Britney’s foot steps and go sans underwear, someone needs to grab his publicist and give him a whooping! *GIGGLE* All kidding aside, the recent splash of publicity this week has reached the point of oversaturation. When my normal quiet friend who works a 9 to 5 job at a hospital calls me to ask me about this Daniel Radcliffe play where he goes nude, I’m like that announcement was made months ago, why are you just hearing about it NOW? Then I see all the news stories with the pictures. Hype machine much??
See, if other Chris Columbus stars made smart moves after their child acting days ended, they might still be acting in movies instead of growing into that role of “child actor turned stoner who gets in trouble with the law for pot possession” (see Macauley Caulkin for more details).
I cheer Daniel Radcliff for what he’s doing. So long as he doesn’t hit the party circuit with Paris Hilton he should be fine…
I think it’s great that he’s clearly moving on from the Harry Potter franchise. It’s been wonderful to him, obviously, but if he doesn’t take on other, more grown up challenges, he risks getting trapped in Harry Potter land forever. I think that Scholastic is no doubt panicking over the recent photos and such, but that is their worry – not his. Does anyone in their right mind think that something like this will detract from the movie sales or the book sales? HP is a bohemoth in it’s own right and will not be derailed by some topless photos. Besides – JK Rowling is the author, not Daniel Radcliffe. He really has nothing to do with the book other than the fact that he will likely one day play the title role in the inevitable film version. People have to learn to separate actor from role. All the power to him!
Much ado about nothing. Equus is more than 35 years old and doesn’t need defending, and neither does Daniel Radcliffe need defending for portraying a character in a play. The people who think this somehow damages Radcliffe’s reputation are insipid gossiping fools anyways. Let them boycott, let them tell their children they can’t watch Harry Potter– they probably have difficulty seperating the actor from parts he plays, anyways.
HELLS YEAH, book 7!
Such an overreaction. I think he’s being smart about positioning himself for a career post-Potter. And did anyone see him in “Extras?” Absolutely hilarous!
I agree with previous posters who pointed out that this new part is a very serious and challenging role for someone of DR’s age. He is proving, in one fell swoop, that he can act, be an adult, do serious theater, and chose good roles for himself. For all those who would object due to him being a role model for children… how many children are honestly going to even hear about Equus, much less understand what it’s about? It IS a theater production in Great Britain after all, I don’t imagine many 12 year olds will be attending.
I think taking this part was a very smart move for Mr Radcliffe and I hope he does very well with it.
If people are going to worry about who their kids’ role models are, they should be more worried about skanks like Paris Hilton or Britney Spears. Daniel Radcliffe is actually doing something… it’s called acting.
I have to agree with EP on this. Look, the fact is that Radcliffe is an established actor. He did dramatic movies for the BBC, he’s done British theater, and yeah he looks like a young Andy Partridge of the band XTC. The point is he is doing a seriously complicated role in a 35 year old play. At least he is not lollygaging around London in a drunken stooper with other young actors like some of our young American actresses here.
I heard about it in advance and didn’t watch because I hate that punk Ilan. Marcel- congrats on not winning Top Chef. You’re going to go far and you won’t have to give Collichio any credit for your success.
Psst. Jane, Wrong post. Sorry.
I just watched the clip from Extras. That was hilarious. I am glad Daniel and his agent/family, etc have a seemingly healthy attitude towards the whole Harry Potter thing…he won’t be Harry Potter forever, and he is able to poke fun at himself in a hilarious way. Plus, Ricky Gervais is awesome in Extras too. The people who are upset about the pictures and the play are the same sort of people who consider Michaelangelo’s David pornography.
This happens all the time. Imagine how shocking it was to see a grown-up Shirley Temple chasing Cary Grant in “The Bachelor and the Bobby Soxer”!
By the way, I can’t believe that EW left out Thora Birch from its list of child stars who growed up real good on film!