Harry Potter’s Matthew Lewis Talks Broomsticks, Cast Bonds and More

Matthew Lewis simply rode his first broomstick since his days at Hogwarts — and the magical mode of transportation is rather more snug nowadays.

“Ours was actually only a broomstick that they strapped us into. We had harnesses and whatnot, however yeah, very a lot not [comfortable],” Lewis, who performed Neville Longbottom in all eight Harry Potter movies, solely advised Us Weekly whereas at Harry Potter New York. “This isn’t even a bicycle seat they’ve acquired right here. They’ve acquired this actual cozy, cozy little seat that’s good and good. In case you’re going to do it, come and do it right here at Harry Potter New York.”

The Manhattan retailer has a brand new photograph expertise that places guests into the air at Hogwarts, on the Quidditch pitch and extra. It’s one thing Potterheads will get pleasure from experiencing greater than 20 years after watching Neville’s first flying lesson in 2001’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Whereas the flying scenes “turned rather more subtle because the movies went on,” Lewis recalled, his first scene on the broom — essentially the most memorable flight for Neville — was much less superior.

“When it was me on that first day, they actually simply strapped a broomstick to a crane on the again of a pickup truck after which drove me round on it,” he stated. “I used to be very protected, clearly, and the stunt crew have been nice, however very unsophisticated in comparison with what got here later and what they’ve acquired right here.”

Although followers usually return to the Wizarding World, Lewis, now 34, stated he doesn’t watch the films fairly often — particularly if he’s flipping by means of channels and sees himself on display screen. “Relying on what second it’s at will outline whether or not it stays on for longer than three seconds,” Lewis admitted. “If it’s a bit that I’m not in, then I are likely to [say], ‘Oh, that is cool. Watch this for a bit, watch another person be good.’ If I occur to be on, then it flicks instantly off. Yeah, I can’t bear it.”

His household, nonetheless, doesn’t really feel the identical manner. Lewis, who married spouse Angela Jones in 2018, revealed that his partner’s dad is the one to show it on most frequently. “My father-in-law — who’s a Floridian and watches NASCAR and stays in his storage, has by no means seen Harry Potter in his life — has since grow to be kind of weirdly obsessed. Each time it’s on TV, he watches it — which is the sweetest factor, however insufferable at any time when I’m going round there and he’s acquired it on.”

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Whereas watching the movies nonetheless isn’t precisely snug, Lewis admitted his personal relationship to the franchise has modified over time, particularly as he watches a distinct technology join with the story.

“You type of come again to it in a bizarre manner and also you notice that my niece and nephew who’re 5 years outdated have found it they usually’re watching it,” he shared.

One factor that hasn’t modified is his bonds together with his costars. James and Oliver Phelps (who performed the Weasley twins) met up with Lewis in Florida for a spherical of golf earlier this yr. He caught up with Tom Felton (who portrayed Draco Malfoy) over the winter holidays and he even had an unplanned reunion with Hermione Granger actress Emma Watson once they found they have been staying on the identical lodge in Italy.

Lewis stated there’s an understanding among the many forged that simply can’t be matched by anybody exterior of their group.

“I stated with Tom at Christmas and we have been discussing [that] it’s good to produce other individuals as a result of — it sounds so pretentious however — it’s like most individuals simply don’t get it and gained’t get it as a result of it’s a very distinctive factor, even individuals in our non-public lives,” he defined. “To have somebody there who simply will get it and you’ll focus on issues with it, it’s type of like most people who find themselves on this silly business should do it by themselves, and we’re very fortunate that all of us type of acquired to and get to do it collectively in a bizarre manner.”

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Extra shocking than his lasting friendships is the enduring Pottermania. Although Lewis has had a lot success since defeating Voldemort within the closing 2011 film (with roles in Me Earlier than You, Terminal and on the upcoming comedy collection Touché), It at all times comes again to The Boy Who Lived. The New York Metropolis retailer — solely promoting Wizarding World merchandise from keychains and wands to full-size broomsticks and Swarovski crystal replicas of the Hogwarts Categorical — is celebrating its third anniversary this fall.

“Because the years go on, I suppose I type of thought that [the interest] would peter out just a little bit, however right here we’re at Harry Potter New York’s flagship retailer, and it’s clearly not,” Lewis stated.

He even discovered himself having to keep away from spoilers when he met TikTok sensation Kierra Lewis. “She does these TikToks the place she’s watching it and studying it for the primary time,” he defined. “She was asking me what my favourite expertise was and I virtually spoiled the ending for her. Somebody jumped in and was like, no, she’s not learn it. And I used to be like, ‘What?’ However I assumed that was so wonderful. There’s somebody who had not been a part of that first wave, had type of found it these days, and that’s unbelievable to nonetheless have that longevity in spite of everything this time.”

Followers can benefit from the magical inexperienced display screen broomstick flying expertise in addition to new props from the films (together with the Thinker’s Stone, Hermione’s Time-Turner and a Nimbus 2001 broomstick) beginning Thursday, June 20. They’ll stand up shut and private with the brand new props on free excursions spotlighting the objects, which shall be obtainable by means of Sunday, June 23, on the high of each hour from 9 a.m. to six p.m. beginning on the Butterbeer Bar (which is celebrating with a brand new broomstick-inspired cupcake for a restricted time). Harry Potter New York may also provide free personalization on any product by means of Sunday.