Harry Potter stars who played members of the Weasley family have reunited to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the first film in the series launching into cinemas.
Bonnie Wright, James and Oliver Phelps and Mark Williams revisited the sets at the Warner Bros Studio Tour London on Wednesday to mark the special anniversary.
The actors played Ginny, Fred, George and Arthur Weasley, respectively, in the eight blockbuster films which were released between 2001 to 2011.
Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone achieved huge success after it launched into cinemas in 2001 – making it the highest grossing film of that year and taking in 974 million dollars at the box office worldwide during its initial run – and subsequently grossing more than one billion dollars.
Williams, 66, who played the father of the Weasley family, said: “I love coming back to the wizarding world, and the new summer feature is a real delight.
“It was an enormous part of our experience filming The Harry Potter film series – to be involved with the amazing work of the design department. To be reminded of that has made my day.”
Oliver Phelps, 40, who starred in the series alongside his twin brother James, added: “Being back on the set reunited with Bonnie and Mark has been absolutely superb – it’s like coming into a time warp, like no time has passed at all since we were last together.”
Alongside the Weasley cast members, a number of behind-the-scenes filmmakers also joined the reunion including head propmaker Pierre Bohanna, make-up artist Amanda Knight and art director Gary Tomkins
Mr Tomkins said: “It feels fantastic to see so many of the crew and actors back on the sets we all worked on all those years ago that everyone knows and loves so much.”
The reunion also comes as research reveals that Harry, played by Daniel Radcliffe, meeting the family on the way to Platform 9¾ is voted as one of the top three favourite scenes of the first instalment in the franchise, with 29% of fans selecting the scene.
The scene where Harry receives his Hogwarts letter at Number Four Privet Drive took the top spot, with 31% of fans voting for the moment, and close behind in second place is Harry’s first visit to Ollivanders to receive his wand, selected by 30% of the 719 adults surveyed.
The reunion also celebrates the launch of the summer feature First Year At Hogwarts – Where The Filmmaking Magic Began at the studios, which gives fans the chance to relive moments from the film.
The exhibition will run at Warner Bros Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter in Leavesden, Watford, for four months from May 7.
The feature will allow visitors to relive the famous moment where protagonist Harry experiences the Sorting Hat.
It will also showcase other beloved moments, including Hermione Granger, played by Emma Watson, casting the Petrificus Totalus spell on Neville Longbottom, played by Matthew Lewis, in the Gryffindor common room.
Geoff Spooner, senior vice president of WBD Global Experiences EMEA, said: “This summer, we’re celebrating 25 years since Harry Potter first began his journey at Hogwarts, a story that has enchanted generations, and our new summer feature invites fans right back into the very heart of that magic.
“Reuniting Bonnie, James, Oliver, and Mark to the original authentic film sets for this milestone makes it all the more special, as they step back into those unforgettable moments and reminisce about the film that started it all.”
