Harry Potter's "Ronald Weasley" really opened up to hilarious Dax Shepard on his podcast. From fatherhood to his darkest days on set, Rupert Grint laid it all out there.
Ruper Grint On "Suffocating" Time During Harry Potter Filming
On Dax's podcast Armchair Expert, new dad Rupert Grint got right into the nitty-gritty and spoke about how he really felt during his time in the Harry Potter franchise.
Rupert told Dax, "There was a time where it felt quite suffocating because it was heavy going because it was every day for 10 years in the end. It was a great experience. Such a nice kind of family atmosphere. It was always the same crew we kind of grew up with, so it was a great place to be. But sometimes it definitely felt like, I want to do something else. See what else is out there."
Rupert was apparently only cast for the two movies planned because only four of the books had been released when he started. Then he stayed for the entirety of the series for 10 years!
"It just never ended. Every year, we came back. And it was kind of like Groundhog Day because it was the same sets. It was the same people. But it was great. I loved it. It wasn't like it was a bad experience. It made me so conscious of my face of, like, what I'm doing... I like being in the moment and creating it and then just leaving it."
The "intense relationship" with the fans mounted a great deal of pressure on him, "It was definitely hard to get your head around because I'm quite a shy, private person and suddenly to be put in that world it was overwhelming for sure. And also the responsibility as well, because as you say, for fans of the books, and they hold these characters in such high regard."
Fatherhood Changing A Lifestyle!
On top of that, he was extra self-conscious of fans seeing him not being the perfect "Ron" or as Dax put it "Sh**faced" or "smoking a joint". Grint explained, "It was such a kind of buzzkill whenever you were out because you do kind of think about it. You can never quite relax because I guess you are kind of this role model figure. It's hugely important to these fans. It didn't really stop me from having fun, but it was always kind of a bit of a shadow."
Ruper Grint's Biggest Regret
Rupert also shared that he was quite critical of his performances, his interviews, and his appearance. He struggled with self-criticism throughout the whole series. He also admitted that "My hair in film four is one of my biggest regrets. I think everyone actually had a phase of having this really long hair. [The fans] liked it, it was kind of wizardry. We went through our puberty on camera."
Being so successful at such a young age was also a challenge for young Rupert who bought a hovercraft and an ice cream truck with his money! "That was my first car."
Dax was absolutely fascinated by the hovercraft and asked for more information. "I haven't been on it in a long time. I crashed it quite badly the last time I was out, because it's impossible, no brakes. It's lethal. It nearly killed me."
Childhood Friends Sharing Life's Moments!
Daniel Radcliffe Says It's "Super Weird" 'Harry Potter' Co-Star Rupert Grint Is Now A Father
"I just did stupid things like that. Nowadays, I'm a lot more kind of sensible I guess. I haven't done anything mad like that in a while."
Rupert has only seen each of the films once but may have to start again soon considering he is now a dad to Wednesday G. Grint! "Now I've got a kid. That's going to be a whole new kind of era. I've got a very different perspective of it now that a long time has passed. I can appreciate what a feat it was."
The Phelps brothers are all grown up now...
Quiz
Who is the couple visiting the "Dursley" family at the start of the movie?
