Daniel Radcliffe reveals Harry Potter trio almost cast in The Wizard of Oz remake, says "this is a bad idea"

Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson star in Harry Potter franchise

• Radcliffe declined Wizard of Oz remake with Potter co-stars
• He was offered the role of a karate-kicking cowardly lion
• Radcliffe called the idea one of the worst he ever heard

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Daniel Radcliffe earned global recognition for his role in the Harry Potter franchise with Emma Watson and Rupert Grint in the lead roles. However, Daniel has recently revealed that the trio were approached for a Wizard of Oz adaptation.

The actor discussed his response when he was presented with the most bizarre concept during his Harry Potter days, when promoting his most recent TV show, The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins, on Hot Ones.

Daniel recalled the incident and said, “One of the worst ideas I’ve ever heard; during Potter, somebody came to us and I think asked, like, if they wanted to cast all three of us, me, Emma and Rupert, in a remake of The Wizard of Oz, where Emma was Dorothy."

He continued, “I can’t remember what Rupert was, and I just remember that I was going to be the lion, but also he knew karate. I was like a karate-kicking cowardly lion." He added, “And I remember I was like 14 or 15, and I was like, ‘I don’t know a lot about the world, but this is a bad idea, and it should not be made.'"

Judy Garland played Dorothy in the original 1939 musical fantasy picture, which also included Bert Lahr, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, and others. Walt Disney Pictures launched a spiritual sequel to The Wizard of Oz in 2013, but the planned remake never materialised.

The movie, which was titled Oz the Great and Powerful, starred James Franco in the title role opposite the witches of Oz, Mila Kunis, Michelle Williams, and Rachel Weisz. Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo's two-part remake of the musical Wicked just brought the movie back to life.

From 2001 to 2011, Daniel appeared in eight Harry Potter films alongside Emma and Rupert. They appeared together on television for Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts, which was webcast in January 2022.

Also Read: Daniel Radcliffe praises young star Dominic McLaughlin in new Harry Potter Series: " He is going to be better than me"

Tracy Morgan and Daniel Radcliffe play the main roles in The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins, which was created by Tina Fey and Robert Carlock, former members of 30 Rock. Other notable actors include Erika Alexander, Bobby Moynihan, Precious Way, and Jalyn Hall.

The show made a special debut on NBC and Peacock on January 18. Later this month, it will return with an encore of its pilot, followed right away by a new episode.