Film360 – Sept 23
5 Minutes with Matt Lewis
To many, Matthew Lewis is most recognisable for his role in Harry Potter as Neville Longbottom, but like his co-star Daniel Radcliffe those years are behind him and he now he is setting about forging a career across, TV, Theatre and Cinema. In his latest role, Lewis returns to his Northern roots in crime-thriller, The Rise.
We sit down with Lewis to discuss the post-Potter years, his latest film, and his reaction to the announcement of Fantastic Beast And Where To Find Them.
Film3Sixty: What attracted you to The Rise?
Matt Lewis: I read it in half an hour and thought this is brilliant! Immediately the attraction was that it was very clever, cool, the dialogue was very real.
F3S: The cafe and nightclub scenes are very natural. Was there much improvisation on set?
ML: Rowan was really keen on everyone being actual mates. Some of that chemistry that you see in film, you can’t fake that. Some of the best stuff was things that were made up on the spot. I really enjoyed that process and having that freedom.
F3S: After Harry Potter do you find you can slip back into that way life easily?
ML: It has got harder in that past few years. A lot of people had the books when they were kids and the films were there when they were six, so I get recognised more now than anytime. At the end of the day, the fans are paying your wages. I don’t mind it. I can still go to my local and do the quiz every week with my Dad and mates.
F3S: You have worked in film, TV and Theatre, both big and small budget, is there a medium or a way of working that you prefer?
ML: There is a long list for pro and cons of all three of those mediums. Harry Potter was incredible, but it was a big production. Whereas The Rise had a smaller budget, but we were all involved at every level. They’ve all got their little pros and cons, and I like them all for different reasons.
F3S: Is there one that you would like to do more of?
ML: I would like to do more films that are like The Rise. I absolutely love making movies, and I love being involved from beginning to end. I even went in when I was doing my ADR for The Rise and I was sat down talking to Rowan about scenes and the editing process.
F3S: How do you feel about the next movie that JK Rowling is going to be working on?
ML: I don’t know much about it. I haven’t read the book, and I’ve only glanced at the story for a moment but yeah why not? It was such a vivid world that she created, and there was so much there to explore. It was such a massive universe. I think the fans would welcome any new addition to the world. Star Wars has done it for nearly 40 years, with all their spin-offs because that the world was equally vivid. I’m sure I will see it.