Harry Potter Cast Through The Years: Emma, Daniel And Rupert Growing Up

The cast of the Harry Potter films, Daniel RadcliffeDaniel Radcliffe, Rupert GrintRupert Grint and Emma Watson (Harry, Ron and Hermione), have all grown up before our eyes from earlier movies. They have changed a lot since the first film in 2001 and have gradually morphed into mature young adults throughout the series.

Radcliffe was this innocent-looking 11-year-old when the first movie came out, and now he's a 21-year-old heartthrob with a couple of adult roles under his belt. Watson was the cute 10-year old, and now she's a beautiful 20-year-old Brown University student. Grint was then 12, and now has his own female fans and a promising acting career.

In 2000, after a seven month search, lead actor Daniel Radcliffe was discovered by Heyman and Kloves seated just behind them in a theater. In Heyman's own words,"There sitting behind me was this boy with these big blue eyes. It was Dan Radcliffe. I remember my first impressions: He was curious and funny and so energetic. There was real generosity too, and sweetness. But at the same time he was really voracious and with hunger for knowledge of whatever kind."

Radcliffe had already established himself as an actor in the 1999 BBC television production of David Copperfield in which he played the title role's childhood years. Heyman convinced Radcliffe's parents to allow him to audition for the part of Harry Potter, which involved Radcliffe being filmed. (Heyman has stated in an L.A. Times interview that this historic screen test of Radcliffe will be released as bonus material on a subsequent Harry Potter DVD.) Rowling was enthusiastic after viewing Radcliffe's filmed test, saying she didn't think there was a better choice for the part of Harry Potter.

Also in 2000, the unknown British actors Emma Watson and Rupert Grint were selected from thousands of auditioning children to play the roles of Hermione Granger and Ron WeasleyRon Weasley, respectively. Prior to their being chosen, their only previous acting experience was in school plays. Grint was eleven years old and Watson ten at the time they were cast.

L.A. Times writer Geoff Boucher, who conducted the above-mentioned interview with Heyman, added that the casting of the three major roles "is especially impressive in hindsight. The trio's selection was arguably one of the best show-business decisions over the past decade... they have shown admirable grace and steadiness in the face of teen superstardom."