Ministry of Gossip Q&A: Harry Potter's Tom Felton

With this week's DVD release of "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince," we move another step closer to the final curtain falling on the boy wizard phenomenon.

With the recent distraction of Robert Pattinson and his dreamy, fang-laden "Twilight" gang, let me remind you that the "Potter" franchise now spans 12 years, millions and millions of dollars, and the triumphant literary and cultural ascent of J.K. Rowling, and has made stars out of several charming young adults (including Mr. Pattinson, who played Cedric Diggory in "The Goblet of Fire").  

One such star is Tom Felton, a major antagonist and archenemy of Daniel Radcliffe's Harry. Felton, 22, spoke with me about his role as an increasingly vicious and vacant Draco Malfoy, the final two films currently in production, his admiration of tatted-up Megan Fox and more.

Read on for the full Q&A.

Matt Donnelly: "Deathly Hallows" parts one and two are currently filming. Is anyone getting sentimental yet?

Tom Felton: It's a 14-month shoot, everyone is really keeping their heads down and working, there's no time to get sentimental too early. You know, it's the end so everyone wants to make sure it's the absolute finest. It's going to be a bittersweet thing. It's like finishing [college].

MD: Your character takes a huge step up in "Half Blood Prince," more presence and certainly more drama. Were you nervous?

TF: I came into the film horribly nervous. Our director, David Yates, had terrific confidence in me. I had some one-on-one readings with Michael Gambon and Alan Rickman, which made me even more nervous! Draco's quite solemn in this film, so I spent most of my free time on set staring at walls. Usually in between takes we'd talk about what movie we saw last night. I had to practice feeling despondent from everyone else.

MD: What's the first thing you'll do after the final films wrap?

TF: I'll certainly stop dyeing my hair blond.

MD: Are you following the "Twilight" phenomenon? That's another young group of actors suddenly exposed to worldwide media attention. Any advice for them?

TF: I confess, I'm not the biggest [fan] of "Twilight," but I came along due to my girlfriend. She's fanatical about the books; I didn't hear from her for two weeks when she was reading them. But Rob and everyone else are fantastic. They don't need any advice from us.

MD: Speaking of your girlfriend, Jade, I know you're both quite young, but it's Hollywood. Any plans to make a bigger commitment?

TF: [Laughs] That's a serious question! I would confess, we're well and truly head over heels, but no. I'm in New York now and looking around for unique Christmas gifts for her. 

MD: You have some very funny and devout fans. One of them asked about tattoos and piercings -- do you have or want any?

TF: Never had a piercing, never had a tattoo. I don't think they look good on anyone other than Megan Fox. ... I once wanted to get my eyebrow pierced; my brother got it done and in a drunken night ripped it out. He's got a hole there now.

MD: Up next for you is a cameo in Russell Brand's "Get Him to the Greek." How did that come about?

TF: Jonah Hill came down to [the "Deathly Hallows"] set three or for months ago -- and I'm a massive Jonah Hill fan; I milked every minute. The next day, someone got in contact and asked if I wanted to come down to London for the last bits and pieces of their shoot. I thought someone was winding me up. I was incredibly nervous, not being on another film set for the past 10 years.

MD: What does your part involve?

TF: Without saying too much, there's a couple of brilliantly awkward things that only Jonah can do. To say there were some humorous Harry Potter innuendos would be a start. Also, I'm so used to stop-start shoots with like 30 minutes in between. With these guys, they roll a thousand feet of film and improv so much.

-- Matt Donnelly

Photos: Tom Felton contemplates the dark side, top, as Draco Malfoy in "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince," and brings his blond hair to a Dec. 6 promotional event in London to mark the launch of the film on DVD and Blu-Ray. Credit: Warner Bros Entertainment Inc., top; Leon Neal / AFP / Getty Images, right.

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Comments

[Samantha Slytherin]

Great Job Matt, your interview is brilliant.

[Lúin]

Great interview. Thanks so much =)

[Izzie]

Good interview Woo Tom Felton is a great actor

[Mkay]

I love Tom! the questions were interesting so I definitely learned something new about him! Great job and great interview! :D

[Lau]

Amazing! Loved this interview!

The questions were awesome, and some of Tom answers are so funny, just love the whole article.

Thanks for making it Matt!

Lau

[*~Tiffany~*]

Great Interview! I love how the questions were different than regular interview questions. Tom's a great actor & it's nice to hear new stuff about him! Loved it!

[Estrella89San]

Great interview! :-)

I particularly like the tattoo and piercing question and the answer from Tom.

[Kit Elizabeth]

Oh man! I like Johan Hill for his comedic aspects but the chance to see Tom Felton on the big screen is reason enough to add another movie to me must-see list!
Brilliant article - thanks for covering a wide range of topics with Tom! :)

[Alyssa]

Awesome article Matt!! Tom Felton is the best!
-Aly

[deathlyhallowsrules]

OMGS i like love tom felton. im so glad you did this article. it's awesome.

[Xiomara]

Certainly these are very fresh questions to hear Tom answer! Glad you took consideration for the interview. Loved the article!!

[Kary]

Hi!! the interview was a fantastic, but i think it didn't last enough time =( i need like an hr to feel happier!! haha just kidding! it was amazing!!!! =D

I love Tom!!

Kary

[Lynsey]

LOVED IT!

[Gizel]

Great article! Thanks for making this. Really enjoyed it. Tom Felton is AMAZING. :]

[Aartee]

This was a great interview !! Thank You so much Matt 1 we loved the fact that you let us ask questions ! very different from the usual run of the mill interviews !
Aartee

[Lily]

Great article, I fully enjoyed reading it. Good questions!
-Lily

[Kaitlin]

Matt,
This is an awesome interview. I liked how there were many new questions instead of the same ones over and over again =) YAY! two thumbs up to you!

-Kaitlin

[Karen]

Such a great article! I love Tom

[sarah hughes]

The interview with Tom Felton was brilliant!! He is one of my favourite actors and is such a sweet guy. I can't wait to see him in Get Him To The Greek:)

[Benedicte]

Matt!

A really great interview. The questions are absolute brilliant, and informative.

Thanks again!

[Alexandria]

I love Tom Felton he's such a great actor and, he's so sweet and, humble and just an all around great guy and, I think that Draco Malfoy was definitely the higghlight of the 6th Harry Potter film more so than Harry.

[Alexandria]

Tom has my all around support! :) and, I'm proud of being his fan

[lucka0021]

weeeelll...love this article....one of te best ones for sure...keep it going like this

[Tanya]

Tom! Oh god, please don't stop dyeing your hair blonde! I love your hair! Ah well, you'd still be gorgeous looking even if you had bright pink hair. :)

[monica]

great article :D
tom is so funny and gives such interesting answers :)