Harry Potter Hand Print Ceremony

MoviesOnline caught up today with the stars of the Harry Potter franchise -- Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson – who joined the many Hollywood stars who have left their handprints and footprints and in this case, wandprints, in wet cement in the forecourt of the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. Grauman’s is the one undisputed shrine in Hollywood at which every Tinseltown pilgrim pays homage. The renowned forecourt represents a virtual "Who’s Who” of Hollywood superstars including Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe, John Wayne, Elizabeth Taylor, Cary Grant, Judy Garland, Jack Nicholson and Clint Eastwood just to name a few, and the space in the theatre’s small forecourt is so scarce that the honor is reserved solely for true Hollywood superstars.

The trio were introduced to hundreds of fans who attended the event by Harry Potter producer David Heyman.

DAVID HEYMAN: "This is amazing. When I first read this first book which wasn’t called "The Sorcerer’s Stone” it was called "Harry Potter and Philosopher’s Stone” in England, I most certainly had no idea that we’d be standing here having made five films and Dan, Rupert and Emma would be honored in this amazing way by putting their hands, feet and, yes, their wands in this place. This tradition goes back to 1929 I believe, and it’s an amazing, amazing thing, so we’re all really excited.” 

"I just want to bring out the three actors who are going to join here people like John Wayne, Sophia Loren, George Clooney, Brad Pitt, it’s amazing. Anyway, let me bring out Harry, Ron and Hermione – Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson.”

EMMA: "I’m really nervous. I can’t believe I’m here, I can’t believe I’m here. I’m so honored to be here, I think it’s probably the biggest thing I’ve ever done in my entire life.”

RUPERT: "This is just so incredible. We’re so nervous, it’s surreal, we’re honored – (can’t hear the rest because the crowd is screaming sooooo loud!)

DANIEL (screaming even louder if that’s at all possible) Thank you all very, very much for coming. This is extremely amazing to join people like John Wayne, and just looking around at some of the other names here is remarkable. Thank you for letting us do this.”

They put their wands in the cement first – wrote their names by their wands – then did their handprints and lastly their footprints. After the ceremony was over, here’s what Daniel and Emma had to tell us:

DANIEL: "It didn’t really hit us all how much this was actually going to be until we actually got out here and did it; and so thank you very much indeed.”

EMMA: "Looking at all the names down on the ground here, everyone from Marilyn Monroe to Mickey Mouse, it’s just amazing. We’re just very flattered and thank you so much, it was really incredible.”

Hollywood is indeed a Mecca for those who love the movies and today’s ceremony drew a loud, cheering crowd of enthusiastic fans. Daniel, Rupert and Emma are in town to promote the next installment of the Harry Potter movie franchise, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” which opens this week. Look for our interview with them from today’s Los Angeles press day which will appear shortly.