Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Directed by David Yates
Written by Steve Kloves (Unconfirmed)
Stars of the Series
Daniel Radcliffe – Playing Harry Potter since 2001’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Daniel Radcliffe was born in Fulham, London, July 23, 1989. He is not only a film star, but also a stage actor, performing with his shirt off in such theatrical productions as Equus. His acting debut was in the BBC two-part television version of David Copperfield. Then, young Radcliffe made his film debut alongside Pierce Brosan (Tomorrow Never Dies) in The Tailor of Panama.
Harry Potter, born to magical parents, James and Lily. Both his parents were struck down by Lord Voldemort. The dark arts wizard could not harm the infant Harry, but Voldemort did leave a scar in the shape of a “Z” on Harry’s forehead. Harry was later brought up by the nastiest pair of “Muggles” (non-magic folk), his Aunt and Uncle. They kept him locked up under the stairs, ashamed of his parents’ magical ties. He eventually broke free of that environment and now lives with his magical godfather, Sirius Snape. Harry is a Gryffindor student.
Rupert Grint – Playing Ronald Weasley since 2001’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, this talented young man was born on August 24, 1988 in Watton-at-Stone, a village in the English county of Hertfordshire. He was the oldest of five siblings. The only thing he did before Rupert went on to fame and fortune with Harry Potter was a school play. Since his big debut, Rupert has starred in the coming-of-age story, Driving Lessons with Laura Linney, and stayed on as Ron in all of the Potter films.
Ronald Weasley is a good friend of Harry Potter, a Gryffindor student, and a coward in some ways. He hates spiders. He’s clumsy. And, I think Ron is secretly in love with Hermione.
Emma Watson – Playing Hermione Granger since the Harry Potter series began in 2001, this plucky, beautiful, talented young actress was born on April 15, 1990 in France. She’s not French, but both of her English parents were lawyers working in France at the time. Before making it big as Hermione, Watson’s only acting experience was in school plays. Emma loves her character so much, she once called Hermione her “hero”. Emma Watson was ranked at #98 in the 2007 FHM Sexiest Women in The World list.
Hermione Granger, born to Muggles, a Gryffindor student, best friend of Harry and Ron is the strongest young girl you’ll ever see brandishing a magic wand. She’s saved Ron and Harry’s butts a number of times. She may be secretly in love with Ron.
Tom Felton – Playing Draco Malfoy since the beginning, young Tom was born on September 22, 1987 in Kensington, London.
Draco Malfoy hates Ron, Harry and Hermione. He’s a Slytherin student and proud of it.
Alan Rickman – Playing Severus Snape since the movies began, Alan Rickman was born on February 21, 1946 in Hammersmith, London. Aside from Harry Potter, his most famous role was the villiainous Hans Gruber in Die Hard (1988).
Severus Snape is the professor of the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts. He is said to be one of Potter creator, Rowling’s favorite characters. He is misunderstood, mysterious and full of dark comedy. Rickman was perfect for this role.
Maggie Smith or Dame Margaret Natale Smith – Playing Professor Minerva McGonagall since the series began, Maggie was born December 28, 1934 in Illford in Essex. Her career started a long time ago on stage, known as England’s “pre-eminent actress”. Then she made her film debut in 1956. In 1969, Maggie won Best Actress at the Academy Awards for her role in The Prime of Jean Brodie. Since then, she starred in approximately 19 movies before Potter, including Sister Act, Hook and Clash of The Titans.
McGonagall is a tough old gal. If you cross her, watch out for that look.
Robbie Coltrane – Playing Rubeus Hagrid since the 2001 Harry Potter film, Robbie was born Anthony Robert McMillan on March 30, 1950 in Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire. He’s not as tall as Rubeus Hagrid, but he’s sure believable isn’t he?
James Phelps and Oliver Phelps – Playing Ron’s twin brothers, Fred and George Weasley from the beginning, these two talented young actors were born February 25, 1986. If you can recognize him, Oliver Phelps is approximately 13 minutes older than James. Both brothers were born and raised in Sutton Coldfield.
Jason Isaacs – Playing Lucius Malfoy since Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, this veteran actor was born on June 6, 1963 in Liverpool, Merseyside of England. He has played numerous villians, including the nasty British Colonel William Tavington in The Patriot. Aside from that, he’s had an illustrious career playing alongside top actors; for example, he played a scientist in Armageddon with Bruce Willis. Needless to say, Lucius Malfoy was a role he was born to play.
Michael Gambon – Playing Albus Dumbledore since the great Richard Harris passed away – in other words, since Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Gambon was born on October 19, 1940 in Dublin, Ireland. The man began his film career in Lawrence Olivier’s Othello. Since then, the talented veteran has made appearances in many different kind of films, including Toys with Robin Williams, The Insider with Al Pacino and Russell Crowe, and Open Range. He’s a great actor, but he’s no Richard Harris knockoff. Richard Harris as Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets was a match made in heaven.
Gary Oldman – Playing Sirius Black since Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, veteran actor Gary Oldman was born on March 21, 1958 in New Cross, London. Gary is best known for his villain roles in movies; such as, Air Force One, The Fifth Element and Bram Stroker’s Dracula. The way this character was introduced, I couldn’t help but think the filmmakers picked the best man for the jump. Not only can Gary be mysterious and dark like Alan Rickman, but he can be even more scary. Sirius Black needed to be frightening in the beginning.
Brendan Gleeson – Playing Alastor “Mad Eye” Moody since Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Brendan was born on March 29, 1955 in Dublin, Ireland. No wonder I like him so much. But what really makes him cool in my book is his charisma. Brendan Gleeson really hit the big-time when he played opposite Mel Gibson in Braveheart. Since then, the man has played both good and bad guy in such films as Troy, Lake Placid, 28 Days Later, and Gangs of New York. He was a great pick to play this character. I just don’t like to watch that bionic eye of his – creepy!
Additional Stars of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Ralph Fiennes is Lord Voldemort
Helena Bonham Carter is Bellatrix Lestrange
David Bradley is Argus Filch
Apple Brook is Wilhelmina Grubbly-Prank
Warwick Davis is Filius Flitwick
Imelda Staunton is Dolores Umbridge Emma Thompson is Sybil Trelawney
Afshan Azad is Padma Patil
Shefali Chowdhury is Parvati Patil
Alfred Enoch is Dean Thomas
Joshua Herdman is Gregory Goyle
Katie Leung is Cho Chang
Mathew Lewis is Neville Longbottom
Robert Hardy is Cornelius Fudge
George Harris is Kingsley Shacklebolt
