Muggle renounces magic: Daniel Radcliffe says he’s over being Harry Potter

By Lulu Chang September 25, 2016

daniel radcliffe harry potter — Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Boy Who Lived is no more, or rather, he’s no longer Daniel Radcliffe.

The real-life muggle who brought the wizard to life on the silver screen for over a decade has announced that his magical days are now behind him. But will we ever look at Radcliffe and not see a lightning bolt scar? Only time will tell.

Renewed interest in J.K. Rowling’s classic tale of witchcraft and wizardry recently arose with the release of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, as well as the imminent spinoff movie Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, but it doesn’t look as though Radcliffe will have anything to do with either of these projects. “Nobody has said anything to me about … revitalizing the films, so I don’t know,” Radcliffe told Reuters in London on Friday.

But even if producers did come knocking, the 27-year-old actor noted, it probably wouldn’t be something he would pursue.

“It’s not something I think I’d be interested in, and also if they do it now I feel they should just cast the people from the play,” said Radcliffe.

Even so, some more avid fans may be disappointed to learn that the actor, who was only 11 when he first become Harry Potter, will not be reprising the role that catapulted him into stardom and fame. Don’t worry, though. Daniel Radcliffe certainly isn’t through acting. When Reuters interviewed him, Radcliffe was in London promoting two of his most recent films (both indie productions, and departures from his famous franchise) — Swiss Army Man and Imperium.

So there it is, friends. We all have to grow up sometimes (after all, Harry Potter is not to be confused with Peter Pan), and that includes even Harry Potter himself. And for those who are disappointed, we know what will make you feel better. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them opens November 18.

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