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katiebell · #1 (**permalink**) 06-20-2007, 07:29 PM

In an interview with HarryLatino, Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom) speaks a bit about Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, meeting J.K. Rowling, his friendship with Dan Radcliffe and his post-Potter plans. He also mentioned that filming for Half-Blood Prince will begin in September.

On Harry and the others taking the prophecy from the Ministry in Order of the Phoenix:

Quote:

Yeah, we got the prophecy. Is quite a critical part close at the end of the film. There’s a great scene where it’s about to be handed over, like Harry is talking to Lucius Malfoy and he’s manipulating him to hand it over and Neville shouts, "Don’t give it Harry." It’s a brilliant way to see Neville become a courageous guy and then we get to that scene where the prophecy is played. I can’t wait to see it on film. It’s pretty cool.

When asked if he reads each new Harry Potter book with his character in mind, he had the following to say:

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At first I read through as a family because from the second I start reading it just pulls me into this universe and I’m just immersed in this entire world, nothing else matters. It’s one thing books can do, even modern films can. Books will just take you on a journey and you just lose yourself in it. Afterwards, only when I’ve read the last page, I stop and think, "Hang on a minute!" and I go back and read about Neville stuff for a second. It’s weird thinking that what you’re going to be doing in a few years time it’s all told in this book already.

He and J.K. Rowling discussed his portrayal of Neville.

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When I met her I asked her if I was doing it right. That’s the one thing I wanted to know, if I was doing it like she wanted me to. I mean, pleasing the family is very important and she’s…it’s hers; you know … it’s all in her mind and she’s the one that you want to really make it right for. She said she was happy with what I was doing and wanted me to continue with it. That was the best compliment I’ve ever heard, her saying that I was doing it right.

He mentions that his older brother Anthony, also an actor, gave him some career advice early on.

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When I first started doing HP I used to go through the scripts with him and we used to share ideas and opinions on what we felt ... he was a great help with me. He helped with the life outside of filming as he was just like, "Be able to go out and enjoy yourself" but not being stupid and being very careful. He gave me advice in that area. He used to be in a soap (Emmedale) for three years so he knows all about how the public reacts.

He got a part in Torchwood as well, the Doctor Who spin-off.

Are he and Dan Radcliffe friends?

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Really good friends. Dan’s fantastic. We like the same comedies, the same music which is what we always talk about, like a comedy we’ve just seen or an album we just bought, something like that. I’m actually going to see him tomorrow at his play Equus. We are meeting afterwards. It'll be fun because we haven’t seen (each other) for a month. I can’t wait.

He discussed his love of music and comedy.

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I love Oasis and that sort of punk. I’ve got every single album they’ve done and that thing is incredible. I love Blur, Stone Roses, The Verve, Richard Ashcrof and stuff. The Manchester brit-pop scene from the 90’s and all that stuff … Happy Mondays … I love all that.

I like such a wide range of comedies! I love Alan Partridge, Steven Higgins and stuff. Rowan Atkinson for The Thin Line and Mr. Bean. I think it’s hilarious. I love Ricky Gervais from The Office. I also like American comedians as well, like Eddie Murphy. He is a stand up in his films, it is fantastic. I could never stop watching him.

He went on to say that while he wouldn’t turn to directing if his acting career doesn’t work out, he might be interested in becoming a writer.

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I always wanted to write a film one day. I’ve sort of got a few ideas I’ve been trying to put down but I’ll wait until I finish school … I think it’s because of growing up reading books that I’ve always wanted to write something. I’ve never been able to write a full book but short stories I really enjoy doing. I just let my imagination go crazy.

Does he ever visit Harry Potter fansites?

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Yeah! It’s incredible how much is out there. You don’t realise until you go and search and you just see the amount of people out there with their theories and speculating on the story. And to think that what you’re doing is influencing their life and then you receive fan mail from them … It’s incredible, I just love the whole thing. Fans are fantastic.

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