What's Next for the 'Harry Potter' Trio

Looking back at the first photo taken of Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson after being cast in "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," one couldn't help but wonder how the before and after photos would turn out when it was all over. However, these three were perfectly cast and have fared much better than other child actors who mistakenly let fame go to their heads. These three are to the "Harry Potter" film series as Kirk, Spock, and McCoy are to the original "Star Trek;" a troika that would not succeed if one person fell away from the group.

Moreover, we've watched them get better and better with each successive sequel to where they've earned the right to transition to more adult roles. While they may forever be best remembered as Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger, we should be assured they have many great performances still to give. In addition to the roles they've played outside this franchise, what's in store for them in the future?

Daniel Radcliffe

Daniel has fared quite well outside of playing the boy with the lightning scar. He played Alan Strang in the revival of Peter Shaffer's play "Equis," and he even went as far as appearing completely nude in a pivotal scene from it. Daniel also gave strong performances in the film "December Boys" as well as the recent Broadway revival of "How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying." His first post-Harry Potter movie will be the remake of "The Woman in Black" in which he will play Arthur Kipps. Arthur is a young lawyer and the parent of a little boy who travels to a remote village where he must uncover the true identity of the person the film's title alludes to. So Daniel's delving into the supernatural again, but clearly his character will be more of a muggle this time than a wizard.

Rupert Grint

Having only appeared in school plays before getting cast as Ron Weasley, Rupert started playing roles outside of the "Harry Potter" franchise back in 2002. He co-starred opposite Ron's "mother" Molly (Julie Waters) in "Driving Lessons," played the lead role in the British drama "Cherrybomb," and he appeared in the Jonathan Lynn comedy "Wild Target." His first project upon leaving the "Deathly Hallows" will be the anti-war film "Comrade." In it he will play the lead role of Gunner Robert Smith, and the plot revolves around an English pilot and a German pilot that shoots each other down and ends up in an unlikely friendship as they are forced to rely on one another to survive a treacherous journey out of the wilderness. Based on a true story, this is certainly no fantasy movie although its story does remind one of "Enemy Mine."

Emma Watson

Outside of playing the tremendously bright Hermione, Emma starred in the British television movie "Ballet Shoes" as Pauline Fossil and voiced the character of Princess Pea in "The Tale of Despereaux." Her first project following the conclusion of "Harry Potter" will be "My Week with Marilyn" in which she has a small role as wardrobe assistant Lucy. She's also getting ready to shoot "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" this summer which is based on the novel by Stephen Chbosky. She will be playing Sam, the step-sister of Patrick who is one of the guys who introduces high school freshman Charlie to the world of illegal drugs.

To these three, I wish them a hearty "break a leg" to each of their future endeavors!

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See also:

The Evolution of the Harry Potter Movie Series