Harry Potter Finally Cast

Aug. 21 -- Holy Hogwarts! Harry Potter’s finally been cast — and yes, he’s British.

The months-long search has ended with 11-year-old Daniel Radcliffe landing the coveted part of the young wizard in Harry Potter and the Sorceror’s Stone, Warner Bros. announced today.

“We saw so many enormously talented kids in the search for Harry,”said director Chris Columbus. “Dan walked into the room and we all knew we had found Harry”

Best of all, Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling herself approves of the casting: “Having seen Dan Radcliffe’s screen test, I don’t think Chris Columbus could have found a better Harry.”

Newcomers to Play Ron and Hermione

Radcliffe’s credits include portraying the young David Copperfield in a 1999 BBC production of the Charles Dickens classic and a role in the upcoming John Boorman film The Tailor of Panama.

Joining Radcliffe will be newcomers Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, who’ll portray Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, Harry’s best friends at Hogwarts. Their only acting experience: school plays.

Lorenzo di Bonaventura, president of Worldwide Theatrical Production for Warner Bros. Pictures, said today, “These are magical roles, the kind that come around once in a lifetime, and they required talented children who can bring magic to the screen.”

Rumors plagued the casting sessions, with hints that Columbus would drastically Americanize the film version of the best-selling book series, starting by casting an American in the lead role. Not so, says producer David Heyman. “While we have been alternately amused and bemused by the rumors about what we’re doing, we are overjoyed to finally put them to rest. We have always been and continue to be devoted to remaining true and faithful to the book.”

Says Rowling, who created a worldwide phenomenon with her Harry Potter series, “I wish Dan, Emma, and Rupert the very best of luck and hope that they have as much fun acting the first year at Hogwarts as I had writing it.”