21 Interesting Facts About Harry Potter
Introduction:
The world of Harry Potter has captivated millions of fans around the world. The books and films tell the incredible story of “the Boy Who Lived”, Harry Potter, as he discovers his magical abilities and battles the forces of evil in the wizarding world.
While Harry’s journey at Hogwarts is familiar to fans who have read every book and seen each movie multiple times, there are still some fascinating secrets and surprising facts that even diehard fans might not know about the beloved series. From intriguing background details about the characters to fascinating bits of trivia about the actors, production, and J.K. Rowling herself, there is still so much to discover behind the scenes of Harry Potter’s world.
To celebrate the enduring legacy of the Harry Potter series, here are 21 of the most interesting, mind-blowing facts about the Harry Potter movies that will give you new insight into the iconic series. Keep reading to find out little-known secrets behind the making of the wizarding world.
Interesting Facts About Harry Potter
1. J.K. Rowling and Harry Share the Same Birthday
J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter share the exact same birthday, July 31st. Rowling considers this a “wonderful coincidence” and didn’t realize the importance of the date when she chose it.
2. Alan Rickman Knew Snape’s Secrets
Alan Rickman was the only actor who knew that Snape loved Lily and was on the side of good from the very beginning. J.K. Rowling revealed this to help him portray Snape’s subtle complexities.
3. The First Movie Almost Got Animated
Early on, Warner Bros. wanted to make the first Harry Potter movie an animated film instead of live-action. They considered condensing multiple books into one animated movie before deciding against it.
4. The Child Actors Did Real Homework
When you see the kids working in class, that wasn’t acting – they were doing actual schoolwork to make the scenes look natural.
5. Emma Watson Almost Had Fake Buck Teeth
The makeup team originally gave Emma Watson fake large front teeth to match Hermione’s description. But she couldn’t talk clearly with them, so they were scrapped.
6. Tom Felton Wanted to Play Harry or Ron
Tom Felton actually auditioned for the roles of Harry and Ron first before settling on playing their rival Draco Malfoy instead.
7. The Word “Dumbledore” Has a Secret Meaning
Albus Dumbledore’s unique name comes from an old English word meaning “bumblebee.” J.K. Rowling said she chose it because she imagined him humming.
8. Warwick Davis Played Two Roles
Warwick Davis, known for Willow and Star Wars, played both Charms professor Filius Flitwick and the goblin Griphook in the Potter films.
9. The Invisibility Cloak Was Made of Real Hair
Harry’s magical invisibility cloak was a real garment made of woven human hair that made objects beneath it seem invisible. Fans made it billow dramatically.
10. Emma Watson Created Some Jewelry
Emma Watson helped design some of Hermione’s jewelry, like the bottlecap necklace and radish earrings. She drew concept art for the pieces.
11. Daniel Radcliffe Went Through 160 Pairs of Glasses
Daniel Radcliffe wore around 160 pairs of prop glasses over the course of filming due to Harry’s habit of frequently breaking them.
12. Emma Watson Almost Quit After Movie 5
Around the fifth film, Emma Watson considered quitting playing Hermione because she was stressed from long work days and tutoring. But she pushed through.
13. Michael Gambon Never Read the Books
Michael Gambon never actually read any of the Harry Potter books and went entirely off the scripts to play Dumbledore, so as not to limit his choices.
14. Draco Could Have Been Played by Will Ferrell’s Son
Originally, director Chris Columbus’ son was cast as Draco Malfoy before the role ultimately went to Tom Felton instead.
15. The Dementors Represent Depression
The Dementors were inspired by J.K. Rowling’s experience with clinical depression and represent an “absence of being” that drains happiness.
16. Emma Watson Did Her Own Stunts After Martial Arts Training
Emma trained in martial arts to properly perform her own stunts in action-heavy films without needing a double.
17. Snape Has Always Been J.K. Rowling’s Favorite Character
J.K. Rowling names Severus Snape as her #1 favorite character because of his complexity and tragic backstory.
18. The Dialogue About Fear Was From The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe
A powerful quote from Prisoner of Azkaban about “being afraid” was lifted directly from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
19. Harry’s Middle Name Comes From His Grandfather’s
Harry’s middle name is James, which comes from his paternal grandfather’s name, James Potter. The name Harry is an English form of Henry.
20. Moaning Myrtle Was 37 Years Old
Shirley Henderson was 37 when she was cast as the ghost of adolescent student Moaning Myrtle. But she pulled off playing a teen!
21. J.K. Rowling Regrets Pairing Hermione With Ron
J.K. Rowling admits she wishes she hadn’t paired Hermione with Ron and instead paired her with Harry.
Conclusion:
While Harry Potter fans might know every line from the books and movies, there are always exciting behind-the-scenes details to uncover about the extraordinary imaginary world J.K. Rowling brought to life. Learning new secrets and obscure trivia can make experiencing the saga of the boy who lived even more magical.
From insightful tidbits about the author herself to amusing anecdotes about the talented cast, there are so many fascinating facts that even hardcore fans haven’t heard before. Each new bit of trivia gives readers and viewers more appreciation for the care and artistry that went into every page and scene.
The next time you reread the books or binge the movies, keep an eye out for these hidden details and easter eggs. You’ll gain more insight into Rowling’s intricate worldbuilding and feel like you’re learning spells and inside jokes just by being a devoted Harry Potter fan.
