From the casting process to strange tidbits about the movie to frustrations in the filmmaking process, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is a goldmine for fun facts and stories that Potterheads can enjoy. 2021 marks the twentieth anniversary of the film, which sent the Harry Potter franchise soaring to never before seen heights. Not only is this the perfect time to rewatch the Wizarding World saga but also to appreciate what went into the film's creation.
The reunion on HBO Max will undoubtedly go further into many famous behind-the-scenes anecdotes from the set of the first film. While the special is only a couple of weeks from airing, there are still a lot of things about the film that, two decades later, a lot of the less hardcore Potterheads are not aware of.
Some Owl Scenes Took Months To Prepare
While their involvement in the proceeding films was minimal, the owls of the Wizarding World had a handful of enjoyable scenes to add some magic to The Sorcerer's Stone - although capturing those scenes did prove an arduous task.
According to Evening Standard and animal trainer Gary Gero, the most challenging scene to shoot in the movie was the one in which Harry is delivered his broomstick by Hedwig, which took months to film. Knowing the effort and care that went into the training and participation of the owls in the film makes small scenes like that one better for fans.
A Dead Mouse Hung From Aunt Petunia
The fact real owls were used in the film is a testament to the desire for authenticity and magic from the filmmakers, but specific incidents detailed in interviews done by the Independent showcase how difficult it could be for actors.
In particular, one situation saw Fiona Shaw, who played Aunt Petunia, have to have a dead mouse attached to her to keep the attention of the mass amount of owls outside the Dursley's home, as they were constantly distracted by the camera. This showcases how simple yet outlandish solutions are sometimes vital in filmmaking and adds a funny little layer to the scenes involving the Dursleys and the owls at Privet Drive.
David Bradley Fancied Playing Snape, But His Kids Set Him Straight
David Bradley stars in Harry Potter as Argus Filch, caretaker at Hogwarts who provides some great moments in the movies alongside his cat Mrs. Norris. As he states to the Independent, Bradley was initially interested in the role of Snape.
Unfortunately, nobody could pull of Snape on the level of Alan Rickman; it is impossible to imagine many other actors in the role, much less Bradley, who is excellent as the bitter Filch. Bradley's kids believed him to be a better fit for Filch than Snape, and they were dead right.
Canterbury Cathedral Rejected Harry Potter
The Sorcerer's Stone has some gorgeous set pieces, Hogwarts in particular. It is perhaps extra special since it is the first on-screen look at the iconic and detailed castle. The production went to many a beautiful place in real life to capture the beauty of the Wizarding World.
Not every location was jumping at the chance to host Harry Potter, though. According to The Guardian, Canterbury Cathedral, a stunning piece of architecture and a place of Christian worship in England, refused Warner Bros and their money. This was due to the "pagan" themes of the story and was not the only time the religious undertones of the franchise came into question.
The Final Scene Got Shot First
The final scene of The Philosopher's Stone sees Harry part ways with Hogwarts aboard the Hogwarts Express, giving a heartfelt goodbye to Hagrid. According to multiple sources, this was actually the first scene shot.
What makes this impressive is that there is some genuine emotion in the scene. Of course, Robbie Coltrane and Daniel Radcliffe are fantastic throughout the whole film. Still, to shoot such a scene before anything else and have it come out the way it did makes the job done by the actors all the more impressive.
Daniel Radcliffe Was Supposed To Wear s
Apart from his scar, Harry Potter's most iconic feature is arguably his eyes. Not because they are particularly memorable on their own, but rather due to the famous recurring line about sharing his mother's eyes. Daniel Radcliffe, though, does not share Lily's bright green eyes.
According to Radcliffe via the BBC, the initial intention was to have Radcliffe wear green s. However, he had an allergic reaction and was unable to keep them on through the film. This undoubtedly takes away from the films every time someone mentions Harry and Lily's shared eyes, but nobody can blame Radcliffe for being allergic to the s. On the other hand, the argument is that they share similarly shaped eyes, particularly Dan and the child version of Lily. It's just that they just are not the same color.
Emma Watson Was Supposed To Wear Fake Teeth
While they made absolutely no difference to the quality of the films or the story getting told, there were some significant differences between character appearances in the books and movies. Emma Watson, according to EW, almost wore fake teeth for the film.
Hermione in the books is famously buck-toothed, while Watson is more naturally blessed in that department. The fake teeth simply never worked, though. Similar to Radcliffe's green lenses, it could not be helped. Not matching up with the novel version of Hermione did not impact the quality of the performance from Watson, though, nor did it hinder her natural Hermione energy.
Columbus Has Regrets About The Visual Effects
The movie did come out all the way back in 2001, so fans can forgive some lacking visual effects in The Sorcerer's Stone, especially since it has some awesome practical sets. According to CinemaBlend, though, Columbus has some regrets regarding the visual effects.
Columbus particularly feels that the Quidditch scene could have been much better with more advanced technology. Quidditch proved to be something fans got nowhere near enough of in the Potter films, so seeing it done so well in The Philosopher's Stone is one of the film's most magical highlights. However, it is understandable that Columbus, as a filmmaker, is frustrated that the film came before technology allowed for an optimum depiction of the sport on-screen.
Christopher Columbus Wants A Three-Hour Cut Released With Peeves
Many Potterheads believe that more extended adaptations of the stories are needed. According to The Independent, Christopher Columbus also wants an extended cut of his film, which involves Rick Mayall's Peeves.
Alongside St. Mungo's, the elf's storylines, Tom Riddle's background, and the meaning of the Half-Blood Prince, Peeves is one of the most notable omissions from the Potter movies, and seeing him in a version of The Philosopher's Stone would be a joy. At this point, though, fans would likely just prefer a show set in the Wizarding World rather than three-hour cuts of the films.
Columbus Acted Out Opposite The Children From Behind The Camera
Chris Columbus did a fantastic job in directing Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, particularly in navigating the challenge of dealing with so many children. According to Columbus via The Independent, he even acted as a foil for the kids from behind the camera.
Columbus acting out scenes for them on his own from behind the camera is a testament to his talent in directing child actors, showing the love and care he had for them and the project. Columbus' work is also likely why the leading children delivered such good performances for their age.
