SnitchSeeker.com - Matthew Lewis talks Neville's gran, Gryffindor's sword, fun times on Harry Potter set

As reported this week, actor, Matthew Lewis was a guest speaker at this weekend's London Film and Comic Con. During the chat, which one lucky fan was kind enough to transcribe, Matt spoke about a variety of subjects related to the Harry Potter films, including if his on-screen grandmother, Augusta Longbottom, has been cast for Deathly Hallows, what he and his cast do during their time between takes, and the particular costars he expects to stay longtime friends with.

Matt also joked that he and Daniel Radcliffe tried to nick Gryffindor's sword from the Deathly Hallows set; he noted before the interview session that the big end-of-Harry-Potter-filming bash took place prior to the convention. Photos taken by a fan during the chat can be found in our galleries.

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Quote:

Fan: [What’s ] one spell you’d like to know?
Matt: Oh no! [laughs] Is there a spell that can make you invisible or is it just the cloak? Someone help me out! I see people nodding and saying “Yes, it’s just the cloak”. Um, to disarm people? Expelliarmus! Yes, and I can say that one!

Fan: [In your opinion] which is better, the books or the movies?
Matt: Oh. That’s not a fair question! There are pros and cons to both! The books are amazing. Then again, some people like the movies more. Like my dad, he’s more for the movies rather than reading. I just hope we’ve done the best to convey the story. For me, the books are brilliant. And the movies! [laughs]

Fan: [What’re] some fun things you do off set?
Matt: Well, Rupert’s room is the game room. He’s just got everything in there, like Guitar Hero, a pool table, a dart board. You can have a lot of fun in there. Obviously, we can’t do sports because we can get hurt and that’s not good.

Also, we have heavy makeup done in some scenes. I had two hours worth of makeup done on me for one scene (blood, etc) and I felt so bad for the woman because it was practically an art piece! So, yeah, another reason why we can’t play sports because we’ll get sweaty and it’ll smear off. Tom and I have some guitar jam sessions, as we both play guitar.

Fan: Do we get to see Neville’s nan? Do you cut off the serpent’s head, as in the book?
Matt: [pauses] [laughs] Well. There is a lady who has been cast as his nan. [pauses again] I have met her on set. [laughs] That’s all I can say. As for the snake, all I can say is that we’ve stuck to the book as much as possible! [grin]

Fan: [What’re] you’re first memories and thoughts on set?
Matt: Well, my first memory is my re-call audition with Chris Columbus. It was amazing to get the re-call and go into the studio and onto the Gryffindor common room set. We practiced Neville’s “I can’t let you do this” scene, Chris with Harry, Ron and Hermione. On my first day, they were filming the scene outside the castle for Madam Hooch’s broom flying lessons.

I was so nervous and terrified because this was the scene that Neville flies off on the broom, and they were talking about strapping me in and all that. I was only 11 years old, I had only met Dan, Rupert and Emma once so I was so nervous about it all! And it’s only when they say “action” do you realize that everybody is watching you.

Fan: If you were an animagus, what animal would you be?
Matt: I want to be something really cool. Dolphins are cool! I went swimming with dolphins a couple of weeks ago. Can you be a T-rex? Nowhere does it say that you can’t! [laughs] I’d probably be a sloth, something that moves like an inch an hour, or something like that.

Fan: [I’m going to cheat and ask two questions!] Is it worrying to have a large part of your life come to an end? Have you been to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter?
Matt: Well, we all knew it was going to end. Everyone expects you to be really sad but I can say that I had a blast. I mean, I was always around and always working in the last couple of movie-

[Fan from the audience gets up to exit the hall]

Matt: Hey! Where do you think you’re going?! Did you see that? [audience laughs and fan smiles] Unbelievable! No, I’m kidding. Yes, so, I don’t like that I’m unemployed! And yes, I’ve been the Wizarding World of Harry Potter twice – a bit greedy of me[laughs]. I’ve been once for the run through of how the rides work and to go through everything (I don’t know why, really).

All I can say is that it was unbelievable! They’ve recreated everything to detail, even Dumbledore’s office! You will have to queue for some time, but even the queue is made to be entertaining and part of the ride. There are portraits that move along with you and talk and all! There were some of everybody, like Hermione (etc.).

I watched Michael Gambon (Professor Dumbledore) watch his own moving portrait! It was the most surreal thing! [laughs] And before I had gone to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter I had been at the Kennedy Space Center and there was a man who had been working there for 20 years – had been around every shuttle for the past 20 years!

Fan: If you had the chance, what would you nick off the set?
Matt: Oh, I’ve nicked loads! [grins] [audience laughs] Definitely the Sword of Gryffindor. I’ve been using it [pauses] – oops. [silence] [audience laughs] I’ve been around it. Dan and I have been trying to take it. I almost killed someone with it!

Fan: If a director asked you to play a character of your choice from any book [of your choice], who would you pick?
Matt: Does it have to be from a book? Er, something of a James Bond style. Yeah, James Bond! Just because there’s been so much action in the last couple of movies and this year, it’s been so much fun! I wouldn’t want to do it all my life, but one entire action movie would be fun! Or a war film.

Fan: Of all the people you have worked with, who has star struck you the most? What’s the best thing you’ve done as a result of [this] movie?
Matt: Rik Mayall, who was cast as Peeves the poltergeist but was unfortunately cut out. He was just awesome! I was a fan of Drop Dead Fred and a lot of other movies I probably wasn’t supposed to be watching at 11 [years old].

I remember the first time I met him – I was sitting next to him on the set of the first movie and he had asked me, “Is this your first movie?” and I had said “Yeah” so he told me to “Get to know the sound guy” and I asked “What? Why?” he just replied “[Shshshsh] just do it. See him over there?” so I went ahead and pointed and asked “What, in there?” only to be snapped at by him “Don’t point!!” [laughs]

He was just hilarious, [and] an idiot! He made us laugh on set while we were supposed to be doing the serious scenes [and] nobody could focus because we were all laughing! I met Paul McCartney and watched him play [a concert] and all I could really think was “Oh my God, that’s a Beatle in front of me!” Afterwards, I was watching him have a beer and talk about John, George and Ringo. It was just surreal.

[Matt clears his throat] Sorry, I’ve also got a bit of a sore throat. Excuse me…

Fan: Who [of the cast] has the craziest ideas?
Matt: What, like pranks? Well, James, Oliver and Rupert had a game – although I don’t think Rupert liked it much – and once you’re involved, you’re involved forever. They’ll probably kill me for telling you [laughs] They take an object and hit it into the groin as hard as they can – anything from bottles of water, oranges [etc]!

Now, you’re a woman so the amount of sheer pain it causes probably wouldn’t be the same – trust me, it hurts. As for me, I’ve only been a part for a brief time before I backed out, but they’ve been playing it for years! It’s horrible! [laughs]

Fan: I collect AVAs. Can I have your sunglasses?
Matt: No. [audience laughs]

Fan: What?! You’re supposed to be the nice one!
Matt: No, let me explain! This is my third pair! I’ve lost a pair at the Leeds festival, I’ve lost another in my own car, so I’ve spent quite a bit on sunglasses! What’ve you collected so far?

Fan: Well, I’ve got the free ones from the Wireless festival -
Matt: The free ones?! From the Wireless festival?! Did you hear that? [audience laughs] Unbelievable!

Fan: Who will you stay friends with for years ahead?
Matt: Oh, a lot of people. When I had my 21st [birthday], everyone came up to Leeds and Oasis was playing. It was nice. See, the thing is [laughs] Rupert’s so laid back that if he loses my number and I lose his and we bump into each other 20 years on, it’ll be like nothing changed! Dan, definitely. And Alfie [Alfred Enoch – Dean Thomas]. So yeah, those guys.

Source: MatthewLewis.com