Harry Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe and Richard Harris worked their magic at the US premiere of Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone on Sunday as Robin Williams and Tim Robbins stepped out for a peek at the movie event of the year. Hollywood beauties Amy Irving, Sigourney Weaver, Susan Sarandon and Joan Allen all walked the red carpet where, unlike most Tinseltown events, the must-have accessory was a smiling child.
Alien stunner Sigourney was joined by her 11-year-old daughter Charlotte as they ducked behind faux gothic pillars shooting flames outside Manhattan’s Ziegfeld Theatre. Joan Allen, Oscar nominated last year for The Contender, was joined by husband Peter Friedman and their daughter Sadie, who dressed the part in a wizard hat. And model Paulina Porizkova and rocker Ric Ocasek turned out with their sons, Jonathan and Oliver.
Fans on both sides of the Atlantic are in a frenzy over the imminent release of the film, which some critics are already calling a classic. Advance ticket sales are heating up as the picture’s November 16 release date approaches. And the film looks set to break box office records as a series of Saturday sneak previews in London took in a whopping £3.45 million – an incredible 77 per cent increase over the £1.95 million Star Wars: Episode One – The Phantom Menace scored over two days of sneaks back in 2000.
As Potter fever takes hold, pint-sized star Daniel must contend with his rapidly growing fame. (Fans at last week's UK premiere went wild for the 12-year-old.) And, as someone who knows the price of child stardom, Home Alone star Macaulay Culkin has offered up his support for the boy wizard. “I heard Daniel is marvellous in this movie and I wish him the best of luck,” said Mac. “He should keep his head properly screwed on.”
For more on Harry Potter, check out HELLO’s special on the phenomenon.