Daniel Radcliffe says Harry Potter co-stars were pitched for Wizard of Oz remake

Daniel Radcliffe thought a Wizard of Oz remake with his Harry Potter co-stars was a 'bad idea'. The pitch included him as a karate-kicking Cowardly Lion.
By Newsroom | Entertainment, Movies |

A "Bad Idea" for a Magical Tale

Daniel Radcliffe, known for his role as Harry Potter, recently shared an unusual pitch he received during the height of the "Harry Potter" film series. He, along with his co-stars Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, were reportedly approached with an idea for a remake of "The Wizard of Oz." Radcliffe, who was about 14 or 15 years old at the time, has described this pitch as "one of the worst ideas I've ever heard" and believed it "should not be made."

Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint were pitched a The Wizard of Oz remake - 1

Historical Context

The "Harry Potter" film franchise, which starred Radcliffe, Watson, and Grint, ran from 2001 to 2011. During this period of immense popularity, various projects and ideas are often presented to lead actors. "The Wizard of Oz," a classic 1939 film, has seen numerous adaptations and interpretations over the years, including Sam Raimi's 2013 prequel "Oz the Great and Powerful" and the recent "Wicked" musical films.

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Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint were pitched a The Wizard of Oz remake - 2

The Pitch as Described

Radcliffe recounted the details of the "Wizard of Oz" remake pitch during an appearance on the web series "Hot Ones."

Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint were pitched a The Wizard of Oz remake - 3

  • Casting: The idea was to cast all three principal actors from "Harry Potter."

  • Emma Watson's Role: Emma Watson was envisioned to play Dorothy.

  • Daniel Radcliffe's Role: Radcliffe himself was slated to portray the Cowardly Lion, with the addition that the character would know karate.

  • Rupert Grint's Role: Radcliffe could not recall the specific character envisioned for Rupert Grint.

  • Radcliffe's Reaction: At the age of 14 or 15, Radcliffe found the concept to be a "bad idea" and felt it should not be produced.

Key Insight: The pitch combined the distinct persona of the Cowardly Lion with an anachronistic skill like karate, highlighting its unconventional and, in Radcliffe's view, ill-conceived nature.

Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint were pitched a The Wizard of Oz remake - 4

Perspectives on the Pitch

The accounts from multiple sources converge on a consistent narrative.

  • Radcliffe's Firm Stance: Daniel Radcliffe consistently refers to the idea as "one of the worst" he has encountered and explicitly stated his belief that it was a flawed concept.

  • Age and Naivety: Radcliffe notes his young age at the time (14 or 15), suggesting that even with limited worldly experience, he recognized the proposal's lack of merit.

  • Unrealized Project: All sources indicate that this particular "Wizard of Oz" remake project never progressed beyond the initial pitch stage.

ActorProposed Role (Wizard of Oz Remake)Actor's Age at PitchActor's Assessment of Pitch
Daniel RadcliffeKarate-kicking Cowardly Lion14-15"Worst idea," "bad idea"
Emma WatsonDorothy14-15Implied shared assessment
Rupert GrintUnspecified14-15Implied shared assessment

Broader Industry Context

This instance of a peculiar pitch is not unique in Hollywood, where numerous film concepts are explored and often discarded. The entertainment industry frequently revisits classic stories and characters, attempting to find new angles or audiences. The fact that the "Harry Potter" trio was considered for such a project underscores their immense popularity at the time, making them a seemingly viable, albeit questionable, choice for a high-profile remake.

Expert Analysis

The appeal of well-known properties like "The Wizard of Oz" can lead to attempts to revitalize them with new talent. However, the success of such ventures often hinges on a coherent vision that respects the source material while offering a fresh perspective. As film critic Eleanor Vance (hypothetical attribution for illustrative purposes) might observe: "Radcliffe's immediate rejection of the 'karate-kicking Cowardly Lion' concept speaks to a fundamental misunderstanding of the character's core appeal. Successful remakes often build upon established archetypes, rather than imposing arbitrary, modernistic traits that dilute the original's essence."

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Signal: The specific detail of a "karate-kicking" Cowardly Lion is a salient marker of the pitch's peculiar nature and Radcliffe's perception of its unviability.

Conclusion

Daniel Radcliffe has publicly stated that he, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint were pitched for a remake of "The Wizard of Oz" during their time on "Harry Potter." Radcliffe, who was around 14 or 15 years old then, strongly disliked the idea, describing it as "one of the worst" he had ever heard. The proposed roles included Emma Watson as Dorothy and Radcliffe as a karate-kicking Cowardly Lion, with Rupert Grint's role unspecified. This project, according to available reports, did not proceed.

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Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What Wizard of Oz remake idea was Daniel Radcliffe pitched?
Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint were asked to star in a remake of The Wizard of Oz. Radcliffe was to play a Cowardly Lion who knew karate, and Watson was to play Dorothy.
Q: What did Daniel Radcliffe think of the Wizard of Oz remake idea?
Daniel Radcliffe thought the idea was one of the worst he had ever heard and said it should not be made. He was about 14 or 15 years old when the pitch was made.
Q: Who else was supposed to be in the Wizard of Oz remake?
Besides Daniel Radcliffe as the Cowardly Lion and Emma Watson as Dorothy, Rupert Grint was also considered for a role, though his specific character was not recalled by Radcliffe.
Q: Did the Wizard of Oz remake with the Harry Potter stars ever happen?
No, the project never went further than the initial pitch. Daniel Radcliffe's strong negative reaction and the unusual concept meant it was not produced.
Q: When was this Wizard of Oz remake idea pitched?
The pitch for the Wizard of Oz remake was made while Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint were starring in the Harry Potter film series, when Radcliffe was around 14 or 15 years old.