Harry Potter Poster #21 Gryffindor’s In the Bathroom Emma Watson

Description

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is a 2002 film directed by Chris Columbus and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. It is based on the novel of the same name by J. K. Rowling. The film, which is the second instalment in the Harry Potter film series, was written by Steve Kloves and produced by David Heyman. The story follows Harry Potter’s second year at Hogwarts as the Heir of Salazar Slytherin opens the Chamber of Secrets, unleashing a deadly monster that petrifies the school’s pupils. The film stars Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, alongside Rupert Grint and Emma Watson as Harry’s best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. It is the sequel to Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and is followed by Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

It was released on 15 November 2002 in the United Kingdom and North America. The film was very well received at the box office, making US$879 million worldwide and is the 34th highest-grossing film of all time and the seventh highest-grossing film in the Harry Potter series. It was nominated for three BAFTA Film Awards in 2003.

Rowling personally insisted that the cast be kept British. Susie Figgis was appointed as casting director, working with both Columbus and Rowling in auditioning the lead roles of Harry, Ron and Hermione. Open casting calls were held for the main three roles, with only British children being considered. The principal auditions took place in three parts, with those auditioning having to read a page from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, then if called back, they had to improvise a scene of the students’ arrival at Hogwarts, they were then given several pages from the script to read in front of Columbus. Scenes from Columbus’ script for the 1985 film Young Sherlock Holmes were also used in auditions. On 11 July 2000, Figgis left the production, complaining that Columbus did not consider any of the thousands of children they had auditioned “worthy”. On 8 August 2000, the virtually unknown Daniel Radcliffe and newcomers Emma Watson and Rupert Grint were selected to play Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, respectively.

Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter. Columbus had wanted Radcliffe for the role since he saw him in the BBC’s production of David Copperfield, before the open casting sessions had taken place, but had been told by Figgis that Radcliffe’s protective parents would not allow their son to take the part. Columbus explained that his persistence in giving Radcliffe the role was responsible for Figgis’ resignation. Radcliffe was asked to audition in 2000, when Heyman and Kloves met him and his parents at a production of Stones in His Pockets in London. Heyman and Columbus successfully managed to convince Radcliffe’s parents that their son would be protected from media intrusion, and they agreed to let him play Harry. Rowling approved of Radcliffe’s casting, stating that “having seen his screen test I don’t think Chris Columbus could have found a better Harry.” Radcliffe was reportedly paid £1 million for the film, although he felt the fee was not “that important”. William Moseley, who was later cast as Peter Pevensie in The Chronicles of Narnia series, also auditioned for the role.

Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley, Harry’s best friend at Hogwarts. He decided he would be perfect for the part “because he has got ginger hair,” and was a fan of the series. Having seen a Newsround report about the open casting he sent in a video of himself rapping about how he wished to receive the part. His attempt was successful as the casting team asked for a meeting with him.

Emma Watson as Hermione Granger, Harry’s other best friend and the trio’s brains. Watson’s Oxford theatre teacher passed her name on to the casting agents and she had to do over five interviews before she got the part. Watson took her audition seriously, but “never really thought she had any chance of getting the role.” The producers were impressed by Watson’s self-confidence and she outperformed the thousands of other girls who had applied.

Harry hears voices and finds caretaker Argus Filch’s cat, Mrs Norris, petrified, and a message written in blood announcing the Chamber of Secrets has been opened and threatening “enemies of the Heir”. Professor McGonagall explains that one of Hogwarts’ founders Salazar Slytherin supposedly hid a monster which only his heir can control in a secret Chamber to purge the school of impure-blooded wizards and witches. Harry suspects Malfoy is the Heir, so Hermione suggests using a Polyjuice Potion to disguise themselves as Malfoy’s friends, Crabbe and Goyle, and ask him directly. Their makeshift laboratory is in abandoned toilets haunted by Moaning Myrtle.

Minor fraying to one edge.

Framed version coming soon, check back in a few weeks!