Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson On Love and Lust, Harry Potter-Style

I know, I know: There's something inherently gross about showing up to today's Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince junket in New York and discussing sexual tension with Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson. But as the series' sixth film rolls out next week, and the young wizard and his best friends admittedly reel from nearly a decade's worth of hormones right there on screen... I mean, come on. What else were we supposed to talk about?

A strict Warner Bros. embargo prevents me today from telling you exactly how fantastic Half-Blood is (expect more on Movieline next week). But I don't think it's stepping too far out of line to note the romantic tinder box that Hogwarts has become, a home to puppy love, uncontrollable obsession and make-out spots, where teenage masters of potions, spells and other magic can't conjure the elusive cure for raging hormones. It's not necessarily a secret to readers of J.K. Rowling's sixth novel, of course, but to see it brought to life -- with these actors in the context of this PG-rated summer blockbuster -- is more than just observing a faithful adaptation. It's almost shockingly subversive fare for adults.

Movieline asked the principals about that disconnect in their characters' inner lives, where a shy, awkward Harry -- who's done nothing for years but fight evil and telegraph his attraction to Ginny Weasley (Bonnie Wright) -- would sooner square off against a cluster of Death Eaters than engage the cute, flirty Muggle he ditches at the beginning of the movie.

"I think it's kind of a wonderful thing in the film," Radcliffe said. "I find it very endearing with Harry. He's this very acclaimed wizard, and he's crap with women. [...] I think this film demonstrates basically two types of teenage relationships: One, which is mine and Bonnie's [Wright, who plays Ginny Weasley], which is that kind of teenage thing where you're just in love. And it's pure and innocent, and it's all that matters in your life when you're 14 or 15 and you fall in love with somebody. That's all there is. And the other kind, which is much more carnal and energetic. Which is the one Rupert was lucky enough to have. Those are my thoughts on the relationships in this Harry Potter film. But I think it's quite true of most teenagers -- that complete inability to control hormones or desire."

"Particularly with Hermione," Watson added. "She's such a control freak. She wants to be able to control everything about her life: her destiny, her work, everything. And then suddenly she falls apart in this one. She's just a wreck. She can't control the way that she feels. I think in her head, if she could have chosen who to fall in love with, it certainly wouldn't have been Ron." Watson turned to Grint and winced. "In the nicest possible way! She would have chosen someone much more serious and much smarter and better suited to her. But you can't help who you fall in love with. It's out of your hands."

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Watson also tipped attendees off to the long-awaited smooch Hermione and Ron share in the upcoming, two-part finale, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. "Rupert and I felt the pressure of this kiss," she said. "There was so much media interest. This is like 10 years' worth of tension and hormones and chemistry and everything in one moment, and we had to ace it. So we were like, 'Oh, God.' But it looked really good. I'm sure you'll critique it in a couple of years. Please be nice!"

Fair enough. Another odd exchange arose from a question about how fame complicates love -- particularly for Radcliffe, who intimated how he may have inherited Harry Potter's romantic challenges. "I don't really feel like I'm in the world of dating," he said. "I don't feel like a young 20-something in that sort of... I don't have that sort of life. I'm working. I'm happy working. It's not the case where I don't have time to have a girlfriend. I do. I'm like everyone else, I suppose. It's weird, because people always ask, 'You're Harry Potter -- does that help you get girls?' I was 8 when I started this. I don't know what it's like to get girls without having been Harry Potter."

But could he ever date a fan?

"Fortunately I don't think that's the case for any of us," Radcliffe said. "I don't think any of us are--"

"What?" Watson deadpanned. "I'm dating my stalker!"

"Well, that is usually the best way to deal with them," Radcliffe said. "Just be up front with them.

"He's always there when I need him. I can be very demanding. He's so into me! It's the way to go. I recommend it."

Radcliffe's eyes widened. "I'm not."



Comments

  • Lowbrow says:

    Thanks to the Equus pictures, we've all dated you a little bit Daniel.

  • HwoodHills says:

    Okay, Bonnie Wright's 18 now so Radcliffe won't have to worry about going to jail if he pulls a Brown Bunny with her during Deathly Hallows.
    I haven't read the books but assume at some point Harry's gonna get loaded at a pub and get all pissed off at Ron for calling him a dork so he gets her high with skag then has sex with her behind a dumpster to get back at him?
    (What have you DONE to me, Danny Boyle?)

  • Cobraverde says:

    Both Variety and The Guardian posted their reviews online & in print days ago, are there tiers to this embargo?

  • Unfortunately, yes there are. Don't get me started.

  • Bill says:

    The best I can recollect, Ron and Hermione never actually kiss in the books. Although by now everyone who cares about it knows that they end up together, you should have posted a spoiler alert.

  • Dan says:

    Billl, they kiss during the battle of Hogwarts, in book 7, after Ron says they should get the house-elves out to save another one getting killed..

  • sarah says:

    if you didn't know they didn't get together that means you haven't read the books. which you should have. i love radcliffe watson and grint but the movies do the books absolutely no justice, which is entirely the new director's fault (new being the guy who started wit the 3rd movie). in no way does this article need a spoiler alert!!!!!!

  • joyce says:

    i wish that u are the partners in the last movie................

  • DANEMMA4EVA says:

    RUPERT SUCKS!! HE BITCH [lol] HE REALLY ANNOYING ME!!!!!!!!!! ANTI RUPERT GRINT 4EVAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA. HE REALLY UGLY, WALK LIKE HE'S COOL, BUT HE'S NUUUUTTTTTTTTTTTTT HE SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!! I WISH THAT HE CAN BE CRAZY AND STOP WORK IN HIS CARREER, BE A TRASHY BOY FOREVER!!!!! HE'S WEAK!!
    DANEMMA 4EVAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!! WISH THEY HAVE SEX AND GET MARRIED, AND THERE'S NOT RUPERT ANYMORE ON THEIR LIFEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I HOPE RUPERT WILL MOVE TO PERU OR SOMEWHERE ARE REALLY FAR FROM DANIEL AND EMMA, HE CRUSH AND DISTURB EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    I HATE HIMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Sam Edmunds says:

    Grint sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • kendall says:

    Hi danemma4eva this is kendall idont mean to be mean but rupert isnt a bitch an hes not ugly,nutts crazy trashy its not nice tosy stuff like that.

  • paul says:

    Emma Watson i loveeeeeeeeeeeeee you

  • Awesome thread. Thx a great deal. Absolutely yes, often it is perceived as we are constantly writing towards the cyber-breezes…. then, someone probably will leave a brief review that really connects people to the outside world you now know you have been in a community.

  • kaye says:

    i hate also rupert!!!they are all right to said that!!!!he is so nuts!!!!!!!!!!!! daniel and emma is realy met to each other!!!

  • Raida says:

    My question is: Did Dan and Emma ever kiss? I hope not, cause I LOVE DAN!!!! Grint's kinda weird. can't even act well. sucks

  • p90x says:

    They are very different I have never seen anything like them. I probably would have loved them when I was younger but now flats are fine.

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  • Torey says:

    So basically, what Daniel's saying is that he would never date a fan? That honestly upsets me a lot, if that's what he means.
    I've had the most massive crush on him ever since I was twelve. Even though I know we'll probably never end up together, that just makes me think that there's absolutely no chance whatsoever, now. 🙁

  • Codi Kimball says:

    Cool post thanks! We think your articles are great and hope more soon. We love anything to do with word games/word play.

  • Grace says:

    I just think they are all talented and amazing in there own ways! I hope they have bright futures! 🙂

  • great 1 emma and daniel hahahahahahha u were great Romeo and Juliet hahahahahahaha

  • Tyler says:

    DAN EMMA AND GRINT I AM YOUR BIGGEST FAN! I HAVE SEEN ALL THE MOVIES DOSENS OF TIMES AND READ THE BOOK SERIES AT LEAST 3 TIMES!I SOOOOOOOO WISH I COULD MEET YOU GIES OR EVEN TALK TO YOU!!

  • Pronto says:

    I am in loveeeeeeeee.My first luv is Emma Watson.I don't know how it's happend.I would be the very happiest person if I could meet her in my life.I am also a biggest fan of Ron and harry.My first and last wish is to say EMMA "I LUV U"

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