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Universal Interviews Matt Lewis Ahead of Celebration of Harry Potter

Univesal Orlando Resort interviewed Matthew Lewis ahead of his appearance at this year’s Celebration of Harry Potter. This will be Matthew’s third year at the event which is going into it’s 4th annual celebration. We will be on hand to give you the latest news from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

What are you most excited about for this year’s A Celebration of Harry Potter?

I’m looking forward to getting back to Universal Studios and checking out the park. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is an incredibly fun place to spend a weekend, so I’m happy to be back and being able to share that weekend with our fans is just an added bonus.

What are some of your favorite moments from the opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley in 2014?

The Diagon Alley opening was fantastic. I’ll never forget the first time I passed through the gates and saw it with my own eyes. It was incredibly overwhelming and completely immersive like nothing I’d even experienced at work.

How does The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando compare to the movie sets?

As I just alluded to, the complete nature of The Wizarding World at Universal Orlando Resort gives it a level of immersion that we never had on set. We had to use a lot of imagination and complete the locations and sets in our own minds but that’s not something necessary in Orlando – it’s all there.

What’s it like to be immortalized in a theme park attraction?

I never thought as a kid that I would ever be part of a theme park or featured on a ride. That’s crazy. I’m so honored by it, especially since it’s one of the best rides in the world at the minute.

What’s your favorite quote from the books or line from the movie scripts?

I think my favorite line is from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban when Sirius Black (Gary Oldman) exclaims “I did my waiting, twelve years of it – in Azkaban!”

What qualities of Neville drew you to that character?

I found Neville’s underdog status a huge draw. Naturally, being British, the plucky underdog is always a character that I want to champion. Neville, however, is also inherently good. He always attempts to do his best and fight the good fight against overwhelming odds. He’s scared and out of his depth but he steps up and fights anyway – that’s courage.

What was one special moment you had during creating the Harry Potter films that you will remember forever?

The one memory that I always place above all others is the final premiere in London. I’d never seen anything like it and I doubt I will ever experience anything on that level again. It was unique and overwhelming. That’s all thanks to the fans that turned out that night. Unforgettable.

Do you keep in contact with the rest of the cast?

We try to stay in contact as much as any old friends. It’s tricky with everybody, including myself, working all around the world. If we find ourselves in the same city we try to catch up and A Celebration of Harry Potter of course is a great opportunity to see each other again.

If you could play another character in the movies, who would it be?

I’m often asked this question and I think I change my answer frequently but the most common is that I’d like to be on the other side. Playing bad guys is so much fun because it’s out of your comfort zone and you get to do and say things you’d never do in real life. So I think I’d be one of the Malfoys. Probably Lucius!

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Video: Matthew Lewis visits students in Leeds for Into Film

Matthew recently visited Pudsey Grangefield School, in Leeds, to talk about his career and offer his advice to students who wanted to go into acting. A video from the day has been posted by Into Film, an organization that gives every child and young person aged 5 to 19 in the UK the chance to experience film creatively.

In the video above, Matt says:

“I think that films are an exceptional medium for all kinds of things, particularly education. Art in all of its forms is often a recreation of real life; an experience; it can tell stories. Whether it’s a portrait or it’s a piece of music, they’re all capable of telling wonderful stories and teaching life lessons, and film as an extension of that is the greatest medium for it.”

Don’t forget to buy one of his Neville Longbottom themed t-shirt to support children’s charities!

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Matthew Lewis Attending 2017 Celebration of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort

Matthew Lewis will be attending Universal Orlando’s 20178 Celebration of Harry Potter. This year’s event takes place from January 27 – 29, 2017. This will be Matt’s third time at the event that brings cast and crew to the theme park to discuss the films and have some fun! You can view our past coverage of the event here.

Packages to attend the event are still available on Universal’s website.

Details from the press release are as follows:

For the first time ever –Warwick Davis (Professor Flitwick and Griphook) will attend the magical event and participate in festivities throughout the weekend, alongside fellow Harry Potter film star Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom). More talent will be announced on a later date.

Creative talent also set to appear at the event includes Nick Dudman, make-up and creature effects designer for the Harry Potter films; Pierre Bohanna, head prop-maker on all of the Harry Potter films; Paul Harris, the world’s only Wand Combat choreographer; Mary GrandPre, famed illustrator for the Harry Potter books; and designers Eduardo Lima and Miraphora Mina of MinaLima, who established the visual graphic style of the Harry Potter films and of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

This year’s A Celebration of Harry Potter will give guests the opportunity to celebrate J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World with a variety of exclusive experiences and attend the largest Harry Potter Expo in event history, featuring more partners and immersive exhibits than ever before. Expo participants will include: Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, Harry Potter: The Exhibition, Pottermore and Audible, MinaLima, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Scholastic, Google Daydream and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.

[…]

This year’s A Celebration of Harry Potter will also include Harry Potter film trivia and, for the first time, a Fan Art Walk where guests can draw Wizarding World-inspired chalk art.

Guests will have access to Universal Orlando’s attractions throughout the weekend, including The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley.

Access to A Celebration of Harry Potter is included with regular theme park admission or with an annual or seasonal pass. Certain activities are first-come, first-served. Exclusive event vacation packages are also available for purchase and include special benefits and reserved sections for the panels and demonstrations.

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Matthew Lewis Designs Shirts in Support of Children’s Charities

Matthew announced via Instagram and Twitter that he designed a Neville Longbottom themed t-shirt to support children’s charities. It is available as a t-shirt, tank top, hoodie or sweatshirt! The products are available through Represent for 2 weeks, get yours before they’re gone!

Matthew started ‘from the bottom’ acting at the age of 5 and since then we have watched him change from geek to magazine-ready chic.

Whether he’s playing lovable, cheeky types or “dick heads” (his words, not ours), Matthew Lewis has always been on top of his game pushing his acting boundaries.

Regardless of where you and your dreams are in life, remember we’ve all got to start from the bottom.

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Matthew Lewis Taking Part in ‘Ian Fleming vs John le Carré’ Debate

Matthew Lewis has joined the “cast” of Ian Fleming vs John le Carré, a debate pitting both novelists against one another, taking place later this month. Fleming is known for his novels about spy James Bond while le Carré introduced the world to George Smiley.

Matthew will be joining Alex Macqueen to help bring the novels to life. Dare we hope that Matt will be portraying Ian Flemming’s James Bond, which is one of Lewis’ favorite film franchises?

Tickets are £30 (£15 for students) and can be purchased here. The debate will be held at Emmanuel Centre on November 29th at 7pm. More information on the event may be read below:

They are the titans of the spy novel, who have elevated thrillers to the level of literary fiction. Much imitated, much adapted by the big and small screens, Ian Fleming and John Le Carré have painted our picture of post-war espionage: Fleming through the dashing figure of James Bond, with his lush locations and Martinis as icy as his heart; Le Carré through his damning portrait of the British secret service drawn from his own time in MI5 and MI6. But which of the two novelists is the greater?

In this thrilling contest, Fleming’s case will made by Anthony Horowitz, creator of the bestselling Alex Rider spy novels and author of the official Bond continuation novel Trigger Mortis. Championing Le Carré – whose memoir about his life as a former spy currently sits in the bestseller lists – will be David Farr, Emmy-nominated screenwriter of the BBC’s adaptation of The Night Manager.

‘Fleming is one of the very few writers – Charles Dickens and JK Rowling might be two others – who have transcended fiction, who have created stories that capture a particular time and place, that are universally recognisable and that are, it would seem, immortal,’ says Horowitz. ‘George Smiley is a fascinating character. James Bond is an icon. That’s the difference.’

By contrast, pointing to Le Carré’s own experiences in the secret service, Farr says: ‘John Le Carré turns espionage into existentialism. His canvas is betrayal — of the realm and of the heart. His greatness comes from the personal nature of that exploration.’

To illustrate their arguments, Horowitz and Farr will be calling on a cast of actors to bring the novels to life. So far we are delighted to have confirmed Harry Potter star Matthew Lewis and Peaky Blinders star Alex Macqueen.

Which of the two giants of 20th century spy fiction should wear the laurels? Join us on November 29th, hear the arguments, and make up your mind.

Thanks to AccioMDL for the tip!

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