What is the Future of the Harry Potter Stars?

In July of this summer the end of a historic run will come about with the advent of the second half of the last "Harry Potter" story, "Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows". J. K. Rowling's amazing achievement will sadly be missed, since the last several years have seen the optimistic anticipation of each movie's arrival. The three main young actors, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint, have quite a bit of work to do in the future if they are to continue their careers. It is not easy to adapt from child or youthful actor to adult roles. Neither is it a guarantee that success will even come. What are their plans? What are their goals?

Young movie and television stars have had their share of success stories, as well as miseries and calamities. Some, such as Dana Plato and River Phoenix, found life hard and could not cope with their early success. Others, such as Christian Bale and Ron Howard, have found that success can continue, if properly dealt with. Many hundreds of individual stories have been recorded, both good and bad. Many names can be thrown around during conversations to show how Hollywood can either ruin or strengthen a young person. It can be quite a journey in and of itself to ponder.

Early on, there was film. In the early Twentieth Century some of the brightest names in the performing arts were names like Shirley Temple and Judy Garland. Temple is remembered almost entirely for her child performances. Her adult life was rather obscure, although she spent time in other lines of work. Garland is best remembered for her Dorothy role in "Wizard of Oz", but she gave her voice a solid workout in a singing career as well. It is questionable whether the pressure to continue her successes into adulthood led her to an early demise with alcohol and drugs. There are many documented stories of others dealing with similar pressures.

Many of the early stars were taken advantage of by either agents, family members, or both. The eventual passing in California of the "Coogan Law" in 1939 aided in correcting this problem, but did not solve all of the problems of young stars. The early deaths of such actors as Dana Plato from television and River Phoenix from film are examples of how the stress can destroy the optimistic futures of those less prepared to deal with it. Some stars, such as Macaulay Culken and Drew Barrymore, find ways to survive in spite of the temptations of personal destruction. How will the Harry Potter stars cope?

Some possible visions of what could become of them may be found in the eventual careers of many of the young "Star Wars" fans, including the more recent trilogy. There is no doubt that Harrison Ford's success may have been as a result of his advanced age and experience, but Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher did not find the same kind of success. Both have continued their careers to some degree, but they have had to take lesser roles in less known movies to do so. Natalie Portman and Ewan McGregor have been more successful in recent years, although Portman's career was moving along quite nicely from her earlier performances. Hayden Christenson has been missing in movie circles recently, but he still may have a future.

Other young stars have found fame and fortune to be shortlived and difficult to obtain again. Such names as Corey Feldman, Corey Haim, Jerry O'Connell and Jodie Sweetin have had difficult time coping, others such as the Olsen twins, Christina Ricci and Christian Bale have had as much or more success as adults. There are no guarantees in the entertainment business. There is as much destroyed as there is created.

Radcliffe, Watson and Grint are also not the only ones in the films with possible futures. Talented actors such as Tom Felton, who plays the classmate and possible enemy of Potter, "Draco Malfoy", and Bonnie Wright, who plays future love interest of Harry's, "Ginny Weasley", also may have futures. All of them have to consider their opportunties carefully and wisely, with roles coming to them in rather limited ways. Being an adult up for a more mature and emotional part may be a trying feat for any young actor. The goals of these younsters may indicate what they expect and plan to do. Still, there is never a sure thing.

From the looks of the three of them, Radcliffe and Watson seem to be good choices to continue on with success. Grint may be limited in his appearance with what roles he may be offered. Emma's good looks and camera appeal seem to point to a great and long career. It will be interesting to see what the next few years will bring them. Of course, their financial futures are not necessarily dismal; all three have made enough money to retire as young persons. It is doubtful that they will just sit on their wealth and do nothing more for the rest of their lives. Wisdom and dedication will be needed to see these things through. They should also look back with great fondness on their accomplishments in these films. We await their next moves to see where it takes them. Many fans will wait with anticipation. We'll wait and see.

Sources: http://en.Wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_actor,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Potter,

The World Almanac And Book Of Facts, 2010 Edition, World Almanac Books, NY 2009.