It’s been said before; if you’re lucky (or unlucky) there are certain roles that you will undertake as an actor that will define your career for the foreseeable future (and possibly the rest of your life). Many actors will be known for particular films they have starred in, which will often loom over them for better or for worse, and when it comes to typecasting, these roles can be difficult to break out of.
The same goes for Harry Potter. No, I’m not talking about the film series-come-franchise itself, I’m talking about the man who played the titular character, Daniel Radcliffe. Over the years, Radcliffe wove his way into the hearts of millions by portraying J.K. Rowling’s infamous character, over the course of 11 years (with filming time), in which audiences saw him evolve on screen as not only an actor, but also a person. But what would happen when the doors of Hogwarts closed for the last time? It was anyone’s guess, but since then Radcliffe has established himself as a versatile actor, taking on a multitude of roles in theatre, film and on television. With the release of Radcliffe’s latest film - What If – today, it seems suitable that we should look back on how Radcliffe has evolved since his Potter days, and why he should be recognised for his acting abilities in the present era, whilst also looking at projects that are in the future and what we can expect from them.
Following the end of the series with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, Radcliffe managed to score himself several different roles, from the widowed lawyer Arthur Kipps in The Woman in Black, to the poet Allen Ginsberg in Kill Your Darlings, it’s clear that Radcliffe has made his mark on the industry post-Potter. The Woman in Black was Radcliffe’s first film role after playing the boy wizard for over a decade, so to say some audiences were apprehensive was an understatement. However, his role as Kipps was surprising, in the sense that he managed to convey the struggles Arthur has to go through, following his appointment to sell the Eel Marsh House. Similarly, in Kill Your Darlings, Radcliffe was equally captivating, and his on-screen performance and chemistry with his co-star, Dane DeHaan made for compelling viewing. Of course, Radcliffe has also taken on many roles elsewhere, other than the film industry, including his role in A Young Doctor’s Notebook, which was unlike anything we’ve seen from the actor before, and his role in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, where he played J. Pierrepont Finch.
Sufficed to say, Radcliffe has been busy since his long-term role came to a close, and it’s not hard to see why; he still has the appeal that draws in the masses to films that you wouldn’t think would be popular amongst audiences, and manages to put in an accurate and enthralling performance as the character. But it’s not just past projects of Radcliffe’s that have captivated us, oh no – it’s future ones as well. What If sees Radcliffe turn his talents to romantic comedies, and from the looks of trailers and early reviews, it would seem that this has been yet another success for the star, with critics praising Radcliffe’s performance.
Another project on the horizon and set to hit cinemas in the US and the UK on the 31st of October is Horns, a dark fantasy thriller based on Joe Hill’s novel of the same name. In this film, Radcliffe is set to play Ig Perrish, a man who is falsely accused of murdering his girlfriend and simultaneously begins to grow horns on his forehead that allow him to compel people to unravel their deepest secrets. Chilling, no? Radcliffe himself has stated that the role is “very different” to “anything I’ve done before” and that the role was “deeply emotional and also incredibly outrageous in some ways”, and by the looks of the first trailer, we’ve got to agree with him. Horns looks promising for the young actor, as does 2015’s Victor Frankenstein, were we are set to see Radcliffe star opposite James McAvoy (who portrays Victor Von Frankenstein), as he portrays the side-kick Igor, in the film based on contemporary adaptations of Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel. It’s safe to say that Radcliffe has some exciting projects lined up for release later this year and next year, which will hopefully further his standing as a reputable actor, and act as further stepping stones away from the role he is most known for.
Whilst we are glad that Radcliffe is establishing himself as an actor in other roles, this is not to say that his work on Potter should go unacknowledged; brushed over as a youthful mistake, or the like. Harry Potter will be perhaps one of Radcliffe’s defining moments, and it should not be forgotten that he effectively ‘made’ the film, with the addition of several skilled actors and crew that created the ‘universe’, so to speak. Whilst Radcliffe’s acting is questionable in some places throughout the 8 films, it is clear that he has evolved as an actor and that this experience has given him vital tools in order to survive in the industry, and we hope to see more great work coming from the actor in the near future.
You can also check out this article in the I'm With Geek e-magazine, available here.
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