Rupert Grint Knows Exactly How He Would Haze Eddie Redmayne in the Wizarding World

Updated on 1/13/2016 at 10:55 AM

Getty/Travis P Ball

Rupert Grint stars in the upcoming film Moonwalkers as Jonny, a good-hearted yet blundering band manager, who — with the help of his drugged-up roommate Leon (Robert Sheehan) and an unbalanced CIA agent (Ron Perlman) — attempts to pull off the coup of a lifetime: faking the 1969 moon landing. While the film is a complete 180-degree turn from Grint's most famous role as the faithful and funny Harry Potter sidekick, Ron Weasley, his character does possess a few of Ron's characteristics: he's well-meaning, shows spontaneous moments of bravery, and sees things through until the end.

We spoke to Grint about what it was like to shoot the film, which is set in the '60s and based in London, and how he felt about working with the "terrifying, intimidating" Perlman. Of course, we couldn't not squeeze in a few Harry Potter-related questions: you'll have to keep reading to see what Grint had to say about his iconic role as Ron and the weird Harry Potter-related pickup lines he's heard. He also opened up about all the new, exciting happenings in the wizarding world, from the upcoming stage production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child to how he would initiate Eddie Redmayne into the family ahead of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Be sure to catch Moonwalkers when it hits theaters Jan. 15.

POPSUGAR: What was your favorite thing about making this movie?

Rupert Grint: It was such a fun film to work on. It was very spontaneous, and nobody really knew where it was going. I loved working with Ron Perlman and Robbie [Robert Sheehan]. Also, being on the moon and wearing an astronaut suit is kind of every kid’s dream. Overall, it was a very unique, special experience.

PS: You play a band manager in the film. If you could have been the manager for anyone back in the '60s, who would it be?

RG: I'll say The Velvet Underground. I'm a big fan of them.

PS: I loved how Stanley Kubrick was incorporated into the storyline. Do you have a favorite film of his?

RG: Oh, A Clockwork Orange really stayed with me. But I also love Dr. Strangelove, and The Shining is one of my favorites.

PS: The movie is set in London, but centers around the US Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969. Did you know a lot about America in the ‘60s before you made this film, or was it something you studied up on once you signed on?

RG: I went through a period of time when I was obsessed with the moon landing and especially the conspiracy theories [which speculated that it was fake]. Obviously I believe that we definitely did go to the moon, but it's quite an interesting alternative. We had a full moon set, and I was surprised by how easy it was to re-create everything. If it was that easy to do in our film . . . it could have been very possible to do back then.

PS: You might be on to something. What was it like to work with Ron Perlman? He seems like he'd be so intimidating.

RG: It was terrifying. [Laughs] I was so intimidated and nervous to meet him — he's Hellboy! But he was so sweet, so much fun, and so funny. You don't equate him with comedy, but he's hilarious. The scene of our characters tripping on acid took us hours to get through. We couldn't hold it together.

PS: There are so many new things happening with the Harry Potter franchise.

RG: It's really kicking off, isn't it? With the play [Harry Potter and the Cursed Child]. It's amazing and quite surreal . . . to not be a part of it feels weird. I'm definitely gonna see the play. It’ll be interesting: it's a great story in its depth, and I know it will translate well on stage.

PS: How do you feel about Eddie Redmayne joining the wizarding world [in Fantastic Beasts and How to Find Them]?

RG: I'm excited to see it!

PS: If there was some initiation ritual for the franchise, what would it be?

RG: A few hours on a broomstick, maybe, though I'm not sure if there's any Quidditch [in the film].

PS: Maybe some sort of Butterbeer drinking challenge?

RG: Yeah, or eating slugs.

PS: How does it feel to have this whole new generation of kids discovering the series for the first time?

RG: It’s a trip. It makes me feel quite old! It's surreal, but amazing. I feel proud to be a part of it, because the books and films are so important to people. It's great that it lives on. and people are still excited, and it’s still so relevant.

PS: Just so you know, today is International Kiss a Ginger Day.

RG: Is it? Oh my gosh.

PS: Yes! So, congratulations! And good luck.

RG: [Laughs] Thank you.

PS: On that note, have you gotten any really amazing or really bad Harry Potter-related pickup lines?

RG: Not so much chat lines, but more innuendo. Things about broomsticks and wands and "going deep." You know, "chamber of secrets." All that. Have you heard any?

PS: Oh man. I can't think of any off the top of my head. I . . . I need more time.