SPEEDING BULLETTS
RUPERT GRINT ON WHAT COMES POST-POTTER INTERVIEW by AIMEE O’NEILL PHOTOGRAPY by LORENZO AGIUS
“I’m quite into art. It’s odd to think what I might have been doing now if not for Potter—maybe designing album covers!”
If you were the love child of any two celebrities, who would your parents be? Donald Trump and Lady Gaga. How was the experience filming Wild Target with actors like Bill Nighy, Emily Blunt, and Rupert Everett? It was really good fun. It was nice to do something kind of different. I had done it straight after I did Cherrybomb, which was quite a different film. It was nice to be out shooting and to work with different people. There were a lot of guns and car chases [laughs], so it was quite fun. Was that what drew you to the film, or was it the character you were playing? Why did you choose to get involved? It was quite a different character, so that attracted me, and it was quite a crazy story. That was kind of the main attraction. What do you typically look for in a script? How important has it been to choose projects that take you away from “Ron Weasley” and Harry Potter? I don’t consciously look for anything shocking or different. I look for an interesting story and a challenge. I try to imagine myself doing it and it goes from there. How do you feel about the end of filming Harry Potter? Is there some sense of relief to move on to a new part of your career? Is it somewhat bittersweet? 78
Yeah, it’s been quite like that. I’m really going to miss it. It’s been a long time doing Harry Potter. It’s been an amazing experience. I think I’m ready to move on to more, I don’t know... Harry Potter has been a huge part of my life. It is scary, but exciting, as well.
What is one of the most memorable experiences you’ve had since your film career began? Any moments where you thought, “this is completely surreal”? I once got dragged across a fake grassland by a man wearing an all-in-one blue lycra jumpsuit.
Where do you want to take your career over the next couple of years? You’ve already done a thriller (Cherrybomb), an action film (Wild Target), and coming of age stories (Driving Lessons and Harry Potter) What other genres would you like to explore? I like big characters. Maybe get into theater. That would be quite cool. I think I’d really get a kick out of that.
What have been your biggest influences? People that I’ve worked with, like Gary Oldman and Alan Rickman. You can’t help but be influenced by them. Although, Alan Rickman can be intimidating at times as he always seems in character, but he’s a lovely guy.
Perhaps other roles in the film industry? Direct, produce, et cetera? I think that’d be quite cool… maybe in the future. I love acting at the moment. What is your dream role? Any films you’ve watched and wished you could have participated in? A Clockwork Orange. To play a character so disturbing, it would be such a challenge. I really love the language in it. What film, album, or book is speaking most to you at the moment? I’m really into Arcade Fire at the moment. I saw them play at a festival, at Reading.
What are your interests outside of film? I’m quite into art. It’s quite odd to think what I might have been doing now if not for Potter – maybe designing album covers! What advice would you give young actors just starting out? [It’s all about] being in the right place at the right time, recognizing the big opportunity when it arrives, and making the most of it. Of all the things going on in the world, what do you find the most exciting? The most frightening? Roswell, Area 51, 1947.