[darcybennett]

Very nice! Thanks for posting these, Regina!

Rupert and Emma are in Paris today for the french Premiere of the Order of the Phoenix! Be on the lookout for more pics, videos, interviews... possibly!

ETA

Pics from the Paris Premiere!!



Rupert also has a new video interview, which he did exclusively for IESB...

IESB's exclusive interview with Rupert

[darcybennett]

Potter films' Ron makes school disappear in real life
By Betsy Pickle
Scripps Howard News Service
& The Knoxville News Sentinel

Unlike his big-screen alter ego in the "Harry Potter" films, Rupert Grint isn't much of a wizard. The only thing he's been able to make disappear is his schoolwork.

"There was nothing really there for me at school, except for art," says Grint, who plays Harry's best friend, Ron Weasley, once again in "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix." "That was the only thing I really had any sort of enthusiasm for.

"I didn't do that well on my exams, and I was filming at the time, so it was gonna be a lot to deal with -- the tutoring and the filming -- so I just thought, 'I can't be bothered. I'm just gonna stick to the filming.' And I haven't really looked back."

Grint, who'll turn 19 on Aug. 24, quit school "as soon as I was legally allowed to leave" (at 16). He knows that young actors are often held up as role models, but he says he had to do what was best for him.

"I'm not very academic really," he says by phone from London. "I just thought it was the best decision. I could always go back and do an A level or something; it's not the end for education. But I've just been enjoying the freedom really."

Not that the "Potter" series has given him much free time. Grint and castmates Daniel Radcliffe, who plays Harry, and Emma Watson, who plays Hermione Granger, spent February through December 2006 filming the fifth "Potter" movie, "Order of the Phoenix," which debuts in theaters on Wednesday (July 11).

When the young actors were cast in "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" seven years ago, Grint was probably the trio's biggest fan of J.K. Rowling's books about the Muggle (non-magic)-reared young wizard and the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. and became friends with Ron and Hermione. Grint -- who despite his aversion to schoolwork will dive eagerly into one of Rowling's 800-page novels -- says he's still excited about the books.

"When they first came out, I was really into them," he says. "Even now I'm really looking forward to the seventh book. It should be good."

"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," due in stores July 21, is Rowling's final "Potter" tale. The film versions of it and book six, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," will keep the actors employed for at least three more years.

"As we do more, they just seem to be really good fun," says Grint. "And this was a really good one."

In "Phoenix," Harry and Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) are being persecuted for claiming that evil Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) has returned. A small group of witches and wizards aligns secretly with Dumbledore, but with an anti-Dumbledore Ministry of Magic functionary (Imelda Staunton) as Hogwarts' new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, the only way students can be trained to fight the Dark Lord is if Harry teaches them some of the skills he's learned.

Grint appreciated the more grownup nature of "Order of the Phoenix," especially as it helped his character evolve.

"He's a lot more mature now, I think," says the actor, who has fit only two other films, "Driving Lessons" and "Thunderpants," into his schedule since his 2001 film debut. "He's gotten rid of the awkward stage that he was going through in the fourth one where he was a bit jealous and all over the place."

The epic "Harry Potter" books can never make it intact to the screen. Grint was most disappointed that the school's high-flying sport, Quidditch, was left out of the new film; in the book, Ron finally joins Harry on the Quidditch pitch.

"But it's such a big book, and it's got so much stuff in it, it's really hard to get everything in, so I can understand it," he says. "Next year, I think, on the sixth one, we're going to do the Quidditch, so I should be able to do it eventually."

[darcybennett]

Fan musters the courage to interview Rupert Grint of ‘Harry Potter’ fame
By Rebecca Delaney
Special to TeenStar

He — (gulp) — er, em, hey, Ru-r-r-rupert.”

It’s hard to do an interview when you’re so starstruck and giddy you can barely command your mouth and vocal cords to produce intelligible sounds.

My tongue feels swollen in my mouth like a fat slug — the kind of slimy, bloated breed you’d find only in a Harry Potter book. I’m sweating profusely, and I think it’s almost enough to leave a pool beneath my chair. Then again, I might have just wet myself.

I can’t believe I’m talking to Rupert Grint. Better known as his onscreen persona Ron Weasley, he’s the carrot-topped, bumbling heartthrob who has single-handedly convinced college girls the world over that dating a right-hand man is totally appealing … if he’s as adorably awkward as Mr. Grint.

Ron, er, I mean Rupert, answers: “Hello?”

There’s something strangely soothing in his voice. It’s a soft note of something uncomfortable … not nervous, but reluctant. My mind floods with an image of Rupert anxiously sitting in a press room with his eyes darting from Potter PR reps to Warner Bros. agents, hyperventilating as he wonders when they’ll realize they have an impostor on their hands — an accidental celebrity.

The sound of his discomfort lifts my spell. Suddenly I’m not the least bit nervous. Because I’m talking to a kid who’s a million times more nervous than I’ll ever be; he’s one of the biggest stars in the world, and I get the feeling he has no idea how it happened.

Momentarily freed of my intense urge to magically shimmy through the phone lines and plop a big, fat kiss on Rupert’s lips, I launch into questions:

As the seventh book approaches (July 21), what’s something you hope J.K. Rowling writes about so you can act it out?

I’m not sure, really. There’s a lot of rumors and theories about what’s going to happen in the seventh one. Everyone’s sort of betting on who’s going to die next, which is sort of strange. A death scene might be cool, though, if there’s a really cool battle.

It’s about time for a guy like Rupert to get his own, epic death scene. In the fifth movie, “Order of the Phoenix,” due in theaters July 11, Harry Potter is the center of attention like never before. Rupert, Emma Watson (who plays Hermione Granger) and the rest of the youthful cast don’t have the same screen time they’ve had in the past.

But Rupert, now 18, isn’t shrinking on the sidelines. Between “Potter” flicks he has starred in two independent films, “Thunderpants” and “Driving Lessons.” He has even ventured into the nerve-racking territory of onscreen romance, locking lips for the camera in “Driving Lessons.”

And if the sixth Potter book offers any hints of Ron’s fate, it looks like he’ll be doing a little onscreen smooching again. (If not, I’ll be more than happy to substitute, Rupert …)

Are you looking forward to onscreen “Potter” kisses?

I’m a little bit cautious. There was a scene in “Driving Lessons” with a kiss, and it’s kind of strange, with the crew watching and all that. I don’t know if I’m looking forward to that part.

In a lot of ways Rupert’s the shyest of his Potter counterparts. He’s a little sheepish, admitting he still hasn’t gotten used to the limelight.

What’s the craziest thing a fan has ever done around you?

I don’t know, really. When we went to Japan, they were sort of crazy anyway. All that bowing and that sort of thing, it was really quite strange. It’s really quite strange, getting recognized. I still haven’t gotten used to it.

With his cautious attitude, it doesn’t look as if Rupert will follow in the steps of Daniel Radcliffe (who plays Harry Potter). He recently ended his role in a London production of “Equus,” in which he appeared stark naked onstage.

Do you see yourself taking a role or doing something as extreme as what Dan’s done in “Equus”?

Well, it’s really a bold thing to do. I can’t see … or, I don’t think I could really do it. It takes a lot of guts. It’s not the same thing, but I did a few school plays. It really is exciting, and you do get quite a buzz, but I don’t know. It’s quite gutsy, so not for a while anyway.

Rupert said he’s close with Dan, Emma and the rest of the cast, but when filming is over, they’ve usually had their fill of one another. He does, however, golf with the twins who play his older brothers, Fred and George.

When he’s not filming, Rupert said, he considers himself a relatively normal teen with a few exceptions, one of which is his pimpin’ ride.

What’s one thing people don’t know about you?

I’ve recently got an ice cream van. I’ve always had an interest in that career, being an ice cream man. It’s really cool, a big freezer in the back … It’s all fully stocked up, and I’m ready to serve.

Rupert, if you’re out there, reading: You’ve got one fan in Missouri who’ll eat just about any ice cream you’d serve.

Even the kind with those gross bubblegum eyeballs.

***

The "reporter" is a junior at the University of Missouri, and interns for TeenStar. She's one of Rupert's biggest fans (of the true-blue category), so this interview is a fun read.

[Corrsfanre]

Darcy thank you so much for the updates! I loved the last interview...

And here are some fan pics from the Paris Premiere
http://www.rupertgrint.net/images/P1070357.JPG
http://www.rupertgrint.net/images/P1070358.JPG

And some with Emma
http://www.rupertgrintgallery.com/al...tppprem_01.jpg
http://www.rupertgrintgallery.com/al...tppprem_02.jpg

[darcybennett]

Whoa! They look like they're HUGE pics!! I have trouble fully loading the page Regina, could you, by chance, just put up the links? Thanks.

ETA

Ooh! Thanks for linking the pics, Regina! My comp thanks you too!

They're wonderful! I love the fact that Rupert can just put on a dark velvet jacket and it changes his whole "look". Emma was simply gorgeous!

[Corrsfanre]

You're welcome

And even more Rupert appearances!
Rupert on Live with Regis and Kelly!
Rupert will be on the US morning show Live with Regis and Kelly on Friday, July 20!

[darcybennett]

Thanks for the info, Regina!

So, if we recap his scheduled appearances in the U.S., confirmed or not... it's something like this...

July 06 -- Richard & Judy Show (UK), 5:00 PM (GMT), Channel 4
July 08 -- OotP US Premiere, 2:00 PM, Mann's (Grauman's) Chinese Theatre, 6925 Hollywood Blvd. CA
July 09 -- Harry Potter Hand, Foot & Wand-Print, 10:00 AM, Mann's Chinese Theatre
July 09 -- MTV TRL-US (unconfirmed)
July 13 -- The Today Show (US), 7:00 AM, NBC
July 14 -- Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (US), 12:30 AM, CBS
July 20 -- Live w/ Regis & Kelly (US), 9:00 AM, ABC

[Sandrinha]

It’s all fully stocked up, and I’m ready to serve.

Please tell me he didn't just say that ? God i'm such a randy pervert indeed .

[darcybennett]

Oh, dear. I didn't even catch that.

[Littlemizz]

Hi

Rupert will not only be acting in the future ( when HP movies end) He also would like to do something with art ( which he always really enjoyed during school ) He just told this in a Dutch interview!!!!

[Corrsfanre]

Great news for our Canadian friends

Rupert in Canada
Firstly, Rupert will be appearing on the Fuse.tv show The Sauce with Dan and Emma next Wednesday, July 12 at 6pm EST! You can even send in your own questions for Rupert on this page! Thanks to Janice for this tip!

After that appearance, 680News reports that Rupert will be attending a screening of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix at the Scotiabank Theatre on Richmond Street West! We'll be posting more details as they come!

Update: Rupert will als be featured on MTV Canada's MTV Live on Tuesday, July 11 at 6pm! Tickets are still available, so if you're in the area, you can book yours here!

Thanks to RG.net

[darcybennett]

Thanks very much for this, Regina! Unfortunately, I don't get any of these networks!!

ETA

ICM will be interviewing Rupert Monday July 8th before the premiere. It is part of the press conference the WB will be holding that day.

ICM will also be covering the hand, foot and wand print ceremony on the 9th, as part of the press, so they plan to put up a video of it soon after the event has taken place.

ETA 2

I uploaded Rupert's interview which aired as part of the trio's interview on the Richard & Judy Show, which aired today.



It is interesting to note that the girl conducting the interview is the same one who interviewed him (and Dan and Emma) back in 2004 when she was 13!

[L i N d $ @ y]

whoah. they're all very busy promoting the movie wit guestings, apparances, etc. and its not like they really have to promote it.

[Sandrinha]

Originally Posted by darcybennett (View Post) Oh, dear. I didn't even catch that.

You missed that , tsk tsk .

[Corrsfanre]

Originally Posted by L i N d $ @ y (View Post) whoah. they're all very busy promoting the movie wit guestings, apparances, etc. and its not like they really have to promote it.

I know, they'll be promoting even after the movie is released, which is unusual
Also thanks to Sabrina for the link

Rupert arriving LA airport
Rupert Grint arrives in Los Angeles for the world premiere of Harry Potter and the order of the phenix (July 7) x 7 HQs - Celebutopia