The wait is over for muggles around the world,
as Harry Potter and the Half-Blood is finally released.
In a webchat with Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Norfolk, Chris Rankin - who
plays Percy Weasley in the first three Harry Potter films - admitted
it's the only book in the series he's read in one sitting, a mammoth
12 hour session, from cover to cover.
Chris Rankin
After more than two years since the release of
The Order Of The Phoenix, Chris said he was really excited to read
the new book.
"I'm a huge fan and I can't wait for the Half-Blood
Prince to come out. It seems like ages ago since The Order Of The
Phoenix and we’re all dying to find out what happens next,"
he said.
Chris first got involved with Harry Potter after
seeing a feature for the auditions to The Philosopher's Stone on
Newsround and has enjoyed being part of the magic of Harry Potter
since.
He won't be making an appearance as Percy in the
Goblet Of Fire, but fans shouldn't be too disappointed as Chris
is contracted to at least one more film in the series.
Live webchat
Speaking after the HBP webchat, Chris told Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ
Norfolk it was one of the best Potter chat sessions ever - with
fans asking some really difficult and in-depth questions.
If you missed the chat, here you can read what
was said. Don't forget to add your comments on the latest book to
our HBP review.
JuigiKario: Do you think Percy
may still be a spy for Dumbledore or an Order member?
Chris: I think it's possible. It seems that Percy
has redeemed himself a little bit. We'll have to wait and see.
Toffeecat: Do you regret how your character
has cut ties from his family?
Chris: In a way - but as you see in the new book,
he's coming back one step at a time.
Mim: Do you think his appearance at the Burrow
was really his idea?
Chris R: No, but it will no doubt help bring him
back as a nicer person.
Chrissy: Do you think Percy will ever apologise
to his family?
Chris R: No, he's too proud. But I think they'll
forgive him. Mrs Weasley will certainly.
Bex: What are your thoughts on the sixth book?
Chris R: It's my favourite book so far definitely.
I love it. It's so full of action and excitement.
Andrew: Do you think Percy will become Minister
of Magic at any point, or just be high in the ministry?
Chris R: I think Percy has the potential to become
the Minister of Magic, but if it happens I doubt it will be in any
of the books.
Gracie: What do you think of the cover?
I don't think it portrays the scene very well.
Chris R: To be honest, I couldn't care less
about the cover of the book. I suppose it isn't the best.
Helen: What is your funniest moment from
filming the Harry Potter to date?
Chris R: Shooting the breakfast in the Burrow.
Working with Julie Walters and Mark Williams, which was fantastic.
It was fun and I got to eat 17 fried breakfasts in one day! I had
lunch as well!
Mike: Hey Chris! Do you think Harry may
be a Horcrux? As Voldy gave Harry some of his attributes and maybe
a part of his soul, when trying to kill him, does that mean Harry
will have to die?
Chris R: Ooh, good question. I've heard
loads of different Horcrux theories and it's a possibility that
Harry could be. It would certainly be a good twist.
John: If you've read all the books so far...
which one was a) the most depressing, b) the most exciting, c) the
one you liked the most?
Chris R: The most depressing was The Prisoner of
Azkaban because it was the first book that showed the dark side.
The most exciting is the new book, it's the only one so far that
I've read in a day! 12 hours! The one I liked most - that would
be a toss up between Chamber of Secrets and The Half-Blood Prince.
Michael: Lizo from Newsround reckons the locket
they found in OOTP while cleaning Grimmauld Place, could have been
taken there by R.A.B (Regulus Black), what do you think?
Chris R: I don't know. We don't necessarily know
that R.A.B is actually Regulus Black), but I think it is.
Fran: The most depressing book for me is OOTP
and I'm still refusing to believe Sirius is dead. Do you think he
really is gone forever?
Chris R: I think he probably has, sadly. He was
one of my favourite characters and his death was shocking.
Rita Skeeter: Hey Chris, how do you feel reading
the book and knowing that you're going to have to act that scene
out?
Chris R: Hey Rita Skeeter, put your quick quotes
quill away! When I read the books I try not to picture it being
in the film. As I've discovered with The Goblet of Fire, just because
it's in the book, doesn't mean it'll be in the film.
Amina M: What do you think of Percy's character
in the books. Do you think he will be fully redeemed by the end
of book seven?
Chris R: I have a sneaky suspicion that Percy will
redeem himself.
Chrus Mulvihill: What did you most enjoy when
filming on Harry Potter?
Chris R: All of it. It was an amazing experience
and I met some amazing people and have a lot of friends..
Have you heard anything about staring in the
next film, The Order Of The Phoenix?
Chris R: Staring?! You mean starring? Not yet,
but I'm not holding my breath.
NatalieRose: How did you get the part as Percy
Weasley? I want to be an actor when I'm older, can you give me any
tips?
Chris R: Lizo is the person to thank for the part.
I saw a piece about the auditions on Newsround in April 2000 and
I got lucky! As for acting, always be yourself. Always expect the
worst, but hope for the best.
Bex: How do you think The Goblet of Fire film
will compare to the previous three? Some people are beginning to
worry that they may become too dark and therefore need a higher
certification,. Will that happen?
Chris R: Good question. I think that Goblet of
Fire could be a 12A but they won't go or can't go higher than that.
cate1976_Omagh: Do you think Harry will go to
live at Grimmauld Place after he finishes school?
Chris R: Maybe! It depends if he and Ginny end
up together again. He might be at the Burrow for ever and ever!
Paris_P: What do you think about all the snogging
in The Half-Blood Prince?
Chris R: I thought it was very funny, especially
the description of Ron sucking Lavender's face off!
Alice: What do you think about Percy's lack
of snogging in HBP?
Chris R: Ha ha ha! I think it's outrageous! If
I'm in the film, I'll demand a re-write! We should petition JK Rowling!
:-)
Chelsea_Wassmer: What do you think about there
only being one Harry Potter book left to be written and published?
Chris R: I can't wait for the seventh book to
come out, but it'll be a shame not to have anything to look forward
to in the future. Let's just hope JK Rowling starts a new phenomenon
after that.
taylor_steele: Do you have a best friend on
the set, if so who is it?
Chris R: Out of all the people I worked with on
Harry Potter, the one I keep in touch with the most is Sean Biggerstaff
who played Oliver Wood.
Helen_Pycroft: Who would you like to direct
HBP if it makes the big screen?
Chris R: Very good question! I'd like to see Alfonso
Cuaron come back as I think he's got the right style to make it
amazing.
NatalieRose: Do you think JK Rowling in the
future bring out a book telling us who Ron gets married to, or things
like that?
Chris R: No. I think JK Rowling will prefer to
leave us guessing what happens after book seven. We know how much
she enjoys reading fan fiction.
cheshyre: Has JKR said anything to you about
Percy's fate or whether he'll play a larger role later on? For all
that he was barely in HBP, she made sure to mention him beginning,
middle and end.
Chris R: All I know from JKR is what she told me
at The Chamber of Secrets premiere. That Percy would redeem himself
somewhat in Half-Blood Prince.
mindy_martin: If you could have one question
answered by J.K. Rowling, what would you ask?
Chris R: Can I read all her background notes on
Harry Potter? She's got all these background notes on each character
from what they eat for breakfast to who their parents were. She
has files and files of the stuff!
Mike: What did u think about Trelawny's drink
problem, and her use of the room of requirement to hide her stash!
Chris R: I thought that was really funny. I love
the character and I'm sure she will prove to be quite important
in the next book seeing as though she made the prophecy.
Fran: Why do you think Dumbledore trusted Snape
SO MUCH? There's got to be WAY more to it than we know.
Chris R: OK - my theories are that I think that
Snape and Dumbledore had made an unbreakable vow sometime ago. Dumbledore
must have had some reason to trust him, that we'll find out about
in the next book no doubt. I think Snape will prove to be good in
the end... he put dumbledore out of his misery after all!
harry_crossly: Don't you think that the good
side is a little too weak now without Dumbledore, for they have
no other really good wizards.
Chris R: I think that without Dumbledore, the Order
will have a lot of trouble - but the likelihood is that Harry, Ron
and Hermione are likely to become the strongest wizards in the Order.
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Norfolk Host: That's all we have time for tonight.
We'd like to take a moment to thank Chris for coming in to join
us here tonight on the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Norfolk website. We hope you'll come
to visit us soon. Thanks Chris!
Chris R: Thanks guys, it's been a good chat - the
toughest questions I've had in a long time! Lol
If you want to see the transcripts of the other
two chats Chris did with us here at Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Norfolk, check out the links
at the top of this page - in fact, there's now a whole Harry Potter
section on the site!
Make sure to read the reviews and HBP and add
your thoughts and comments to the page.
Μύ
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