Harry Potter Fliming Wraps, The Era Of The Boy Wizard Comes To A Close

On June 12th, 2010 principal photography on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, and the entire film series based on the seven Harry Potter novels by British author J. K. Rowling came to an end. The first film, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, which was directed by Chris Columbus (Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief) started production almost a decade ago in October of 2000 and has since earned almost one billion dollars in worldwide box office.

The final book, split into two films Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I which hits theaters on November 19th, 2010 and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II which hits theaters on July 15th, 2011 were directed by David Yates, who directed 2007’s Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and 2009’s Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

Warwick Davis (Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi) who has been with the film series from the beginning, playing both Professor Filius Flitwick & Griphook, announced the end of filming via twitter and said –

For the last day on ‘HP’, Rupert ‘Mr Whippy’ Grint arrived in his ice cream van & served up 99s for cast & crew… http://yfrog.com/15r2ihj

…It brought a smile to everyones face on what was a very emotional day. It was a thrill to see a teaser for ‘Deathly Hallows’ too. :)

The end of an Era – today is officially the last day of principal photography on ‘Harry Potter’ – ever. I feel honoured to be here as…

…the director shouts cut for the very last time. Farewell Harry & Hogwarts, it’s been magic! x

Emma Watson who has played Harry’s Muggle-born best friend throughout the film series, reportedly threw a lavish dinner party for her Harry Potter co-stars at her U.K. home during the last week of filming.

James Phelps (the Fred half of the Weasley twins) said,

“The last week of filming Emma had a dinner at her place, and we spoke about the best moments of filming. “Our secret crushes on set – all kinds of random questions. But all the answers to these questions will stay in that room!”

About the end of filming, Watson added:

“I feel like someone is dying. This kind of love and recognition is just incredible. It is also really emotional for me. I am proud.”

Rupert Grint, who has played Harry’s faithful friend, Ron Weasley throughout the series said,

“We’ve been at this one [Deathly Hallows] since February 2009 so it’s been a really long shoot. I wished it was quicker but then we didn’t want the last few months to end.

“It’s going to be a very different Harry Potter film. I think it’s going to be a great way to end.”

The boy wizard himself, Daniel Radcliffe said that the Harry Potter cast “cried a lot” after shooting their final scenes. He told AP:

“Everyone was really devastated. It was really, really sad. We were crying quite a lot. It’s a weird, weird feeling.”

Harry Potter fans will obviously be just as sad to see the boy wizard’s story come to a close as Radcliffe and his cast-mates are but, a decade (9 and 3/4 years to be exact) of fond memories, stories that will live on long past the final credits of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II and being able to visit the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando means never having to say farewell to the boy who lived!

Just in case you forget how far this series has come over the years, check out the pictures and trailers below!

Then