Rupert Grint is beginning a new journey in his career. For the first time he has deserted his part as Ron to shoot another movie, 'Driving Lessons'.
However, this won't prevent him from being back soon in Hogwart as the filming of 'The Order of The Phoenix' is imminent.

Q: Can you tell us a bit about 'Driving Lessons', the movie you have just shot?

Rupert: The first thing I can say is it's going to be really different from 'Harry Potter'. The fans mustn't go and see it hoping to find Ron because they will be disappointed. In 'DL' I play a shy young boy who is totally suffocated by his mother, he considers her being over-protective. But his life changes when he meets a woman of a certain age, a retired actress who is going to take him on an unforgettable journey. This extraordinary woman is actually played by Julie Walters who plays Molly Weasley in the HP movies. Therefore, despite the filming atmosphere being so different from everything I have experienced so far, it was a bit like being with family, since I was playing opposite the one I like to call "my witch mother" [laughs]

Q: Is it true that in this movie we are going to see you salsa dancing?

Rupert: I see that the word is getting around quickly... Indeed, after escaping the dance scenes for the Yule Ball in 'Goblet of Fire', I was forced to accept the ones planned in the scenario of 'DL'. And I can tell you it hasn't been easy. It is a scene where I go to a club with my girlfriend and she invites me to dance. To film this scene I took salsa lessons for nearly a month. I was terrible at first, but by the end I started to get the hang of it. I hope I will look credible on screen...

Q: Let's get back to HP. Have you finally read HBP?

Rupert: No, I still haven't. I am a bit ashamed, but with the filming of DL and the promotion for GOF, I haven't found the time to get into it. However, somebody got the good idea to tell me that an important character was dying and they even gave me his/her identity. I hate that. There's nothing like it to spoil the reading of a book for me.

Q: You're about to start filming your 5th HP movie. Do you think you will star in all of them?

Rupert: I hope so! Anyway I want to star in as many as possible because I have lots of fun filming them. As the years go by, we (the actors) know each other which makes things even nicer. We are a bunch of mates who meet up each year for an incredible adventure, which is really cool. I realise I am very lucky and I hope it's going to last for a long time.

Q: Can we say that playing Ron Weasley in the movies has only brought you happiness?

Rupert: Yes. The only little restraint is not being able to go out in the streets without being recognised. It may sound stupid but I am still not entirely used to it. However, since people like my character, they are usually really nice to me, which is really cool. I hope that the argument between Ron and Harry in GOF isn't going to change people's opinion about Ron, because this is not my fault... [laughs]

Q: On another subject, did you get lots of presents for Christmas?

Rupert: I must say Santa Claus was very generous with me this year. I have known more difficult years.

Q: What was the worst present you ever got?

Rupert: A 3000-pieces puzzle. It was a puzzle of Queen Elizabeth, but it was horrible. I have never finished it.

Q: Under your calm appearance, you are quite athletic and competitive.

Rupert: I wouldn't say so...[laughs] However, I have been playing golf for nearly a year. I love this sport and I have become addicted. I am not a great player but I am not giving up. I would love to play with Tiger Woods one day. He is definitely my favorite sportsman.

[ONE Magazine || February 2006 || Original scan in French can be found here]