Daniel Radcliffe Confirms He Was Pitched a Wizard of Oz Remake With Emma Watson & Rupert Grint

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Fans are eager to see Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint reunite. The trio famously played Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley for more than ten years, but they almost worked on a completely different project.

I was watching Daniel Radcliffe on Hot Ones the other day, and he was talking about some of the craziest pitches he’s ever gotten. Apparently, someone actually suggested a Wizard of Oz remake… with Harry, Ron, and Hermione taking the lead! He said it was pitched to him while they were still filming the Harry Potter movies. Honestly, it sounded like one of the worst ideas he’d ever heard, and I can’t say I disagree!

I was hearing about some truly wild ideas the other day! Apparently, during the Harry Potter years, someone actually pitched the idea of recasting The Wizard of Oz with me, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint. Can you believe it? It sounded like one of the worst concepts I’d ever come across!

He recalled that Emma played Dorothy. He couldn’t remember who Rupert was supposed to be, but he did remember he was going to play the lion, although someone else also knew karate.

Radcliffe described feeling incredibly anxious and insecure during the experience, comparing himself to a frightened, flailing character. He recalled being around 14 or 15 years old and thinking, even then, that the project was a mistake and shouldn’t be pursued.

A Wizard of Oz Remake Never Happened

The 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, based on L. Frank Baum’s book, remains the most famous and influential adaptation of the story. Directed mainly by Victor Fleming, it featured Judy Garland as Dorothy, Frank Morgan as the Wizard, and a talented supporting cast including Ray Bolger as the Scarecrow, Jack Haley as the Tin Man, Bert Lahr as the Cowardly Lion, Billie Burke as Glinda, and Margaret Hamilton as the Wicked Witch.

Despite the initial excitement of potentially reuniting Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint, a remake of the original musical never materialized in Hollywood. Instead, the story was retold in several new forms, including Sam Raimi’s 2013 film, Oz the Great and Powerful, which starred James Franco alongside Mila Kunis, Michelle Williams, and Rachel Weisz.

I was so excited when Wicked finally came out in late 2024! It’s a prequel to The Wizard of Oz, and it’s based on the stage musical. The movie really tells the story of the Wicked Witch – or Elphaba, as we learn – and how she was judged and misunderstood, mostly because of her green skin and her love for animals. It’s a really compelling take on the story!

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2026-02-20 16:36