<P> Warner Bros. had initially planned to release the first film over the 4 July 2001 weekend, making for such a short production window that several of the originally proposed directors had withdrawn themselves from contention . Eventually, due to time constraints, the date was put back to 16 November 2001 . </P> <P> In 2000, after a seven - month search, lead actor Daniel Radcliffe was discovered by producer David Heyman and writer Steve Kloves seated just behind them in a theatre . In Heyman's own words, "There sitting behind me was this boy with these big blue eyes . It was Dan Radcliffe . I remember my first impressions: He was curious and funny and so energetic . There was real generosity too, and sweetness . But at the same time he was really voracious and with hunger for knowledge of whatever kind ." </P> <P> Radcliffe had already established himself as an actor in the 1999 BBC television production of David Copperfield in which he played the title role's childhood years . Heyman persuaded Radcliffe's parents to allow him to audition for the part of Harry Potter, which involved Radcliffe being filmed . (This screen test footage was released via the first set of Ultimate Editions in 2009 .) Rowling was enthusiastic after viewing Radcliffe's filmed test, saying she didn't think there was a better choice for the part of Harry Potter . </P> <P> Also in 2000, the then unknown British actors Emma Watson and Rupert Grint were selected from thousands of auditioning children to play the roles of Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, respectively . Their only previous acting experience was in school plays . Grint was eleven years old and Watson ten at the time they were cast . </P>

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