Which Stars Should the Young Cast of Harry Potter Emulate in the Future?

As the song says, this is the end. With the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 on Friday at 12 a.m., the most lucrative film franchise falls to a close. All that's left now is the armchair quarterbacking, specifically: where do the film's young stars go from here? Good question! Ahead, Movieline runs down the future career prospects of Potter's young cast, and offers up one movie star whose career they would be wise to follow.

Daniel Radcliffe

In his favor for future success: Radcliffe grew up during the Harry Potter franchise, both as a man and an actor, transforming himself from a kid who merely looked like Harry Potter to an actual performer. The work he does in the two halves of The Deathly Hallows proves he's quite capable of future big-screen emoting; the work he does onstage in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying proves he's capable of something really special.

Against him: He's Harry Potter. Forever. Which is a problem. There's also the matter of his tastes, which seem to eschew mainstream popularity in favor of diverse and challenging choices. That's great for Radcliffe (and for his fans), but makes the chances of him capitalizing on the billion dollar grosses and worldwide Harry Potter recognition quite slim.

Actor whose career he should emulate: Ben Affleck. Mock all you want, but Affleck went from being ill-suited as a blockbuster magnet to a yeomanly character actor and director. (Don't forget: Radcliffe has said he would like to direct too.) As he gets into his late 20s and early 30s, DanRad would be wise to follow the Affleck path of hyphenates... minus the Bennifer thing.

Emma Watson

In her favor for future success: She's not just gorgeous, but elegant. That matters for movie stars -- it's what separates someone like Megan Fox from someone like Michelle Williams. There's also the fact that Watson has actual talent -- or enough to be placed alongside Keira Knightley and Carey Mulligan on the list of British ingenues. My Week with Marilyn and Perks of Being a Wallflower are nice, but she could use a Never Let Me Go.

Against her: She might not have the drive of those other actresses -- after all, being Hermione for a decade has provided her with enough financial security to last two lifetimes. What if she decides after graduating college that she wants to take a year off? By the time she's ready to actually be a movie star, her white-hot popularity might be over.

Actress whose career she should emulate: The aforementioned Ms. Williams. After all, she didn't really capitalize on the white-hot popularity of Dawson's Creek and has still become one of the best actresses of her generation. Hopefully Watson picked her brain while shooting My Week With Marilyn and came away with a solid future roadmap.

Rupert Grint

In his favor for future success: He's goofy, charming and much more of an everyman than Radcliffe.

Against him: Lots. Not only does Grint have to fight the stigma of "Ron Weasley," but he's also got to prove he's capable of doing more than just being goofy -- something that both Watson and Radcliffe have done in interviews and other projects. The thing Grint is best known for, besides Potter? Owning an ice cream truck.

Actor whose career should emulate: Michael Cera. Give Grint a (very slightly) better haircut and some love-lorn dialogue, and he could be the British answer to the the hoodie-wearing hipster icon -- a hapless chap who audiences pull for out of some combination of pity and empathy.

Bonnie Wright

In her favor for future success: The fact that she's barely attached to the Harry Potter franchise. Make no mistake: one of the biggest issues Radcliffe, Watson and Grint face will be overcoming Harry, Hermione and Ron; will anyone actually think of Ginny Weasley when Bonnie Wright appears onscreen?

Against her: If you're hard on the three leads for not showing enough range in the Harry Potter franchise, you have to be doubly hard on Wright; she doesn't even get a scene worthy of Matthew Lewis in this franchise. That's an issue. What kind of actress is she anyway?

Actress whose career should emulate: Emily Blunt. Red hair. Icy stare. Yep, this one kind writes itself. If they remake The Devil Wears Prada in the next five years -- and, be honest, they probably will -- here's your "Emily."

Matthew Lewis

In his favor for future success: See, Bonnie Wright. For the last decade, Lewis has been the butt of Harry Potter jokes as Neville Longbottom, but thanks to a growth spurt, a good haircut, and some badass moments in the Deathly Hallows finale, audiences can look at him in a whole new light. This ain't your slightly older brother's Neville!

Against him: Even as Hero Neville in The Deathly Hallows Part 2 -- and even with a killer speech worthy of Braveheart -- Lewis could still use some polishing as a performer. Making himself a part of the British character actor circuit over the next decade would be wise.

Actor whose career he should emulate: Clive Owen. Beyond the obvious resemblance -- they could play father and son -- Owen mixed in stage and television work before really getting American recognition with Croupier in 1998. He was 34 at that time; that gives Lewis plenty of time to get his ducks in a row.

Evanna Lynch

In her favor for future success: She's a stunner, has expert comic timing, and can affect chemistry with anyone. To wit: Lynch's scenes opposite Radcliffe in Harry Potter are smoldering enough to make even J.K. Rowling purists consider the possibility of a Harry/Luna relationship.

Against her: She does ethereal blankness quite well, but with a limited resume, that's all she does well.

Actress whose career she should emulate: Anna Faris. The world needs more sexy-funny-cool comic actresses, and Faris is one of the best. Lynch might as well aim high and put her best talents to good use.

Tom Felton

In his favor for future success: It goes without saying that every young actor in the Harry Potter cast is ridiculously charming -- though perhaps none more than Felton. He's pretty much the exact opposite of the sniveling and slimy Draco. Felton is cavalier, seemingly light-hearted, and blessed with an excellent sense of humor. These traits should help him break away from villain roles going forward.

Against him: Though not immediately. Felton co-stars in Rise of the Planet of the Apes as an ape-torturing douche with a bad American accent. Spending ten years associated with a character most Harry Potter fans dislike with a passion, and following that up with Apes might not have been the best idea.

Actor who he should emulate: Hugh Grant. This is tough, but in the end it makes sense to go back to the charm: Felton's personality seems tailor made to play the likable -- and sometimes unlikable -- rouges that became Hugh Grant's hallmark. That Felton looks good in a suit -- and great without Draco's Aryan blond hair -- is but an added bonus.