The release of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone back in 2001 instantly catapulted several young actors to superstardom. Daniel Radcliffe became a household name after being cast as the Boy Who Lived, while Emma Watson was handed the role of a young Hermione Granger. It was a similar story for Rupert Grint, who was given the responsibility of playing Ron Weasley and gave his best as the character for all eight movies in the series.
While Grint did a stellar job as Ron, however, there were many ways the character was sold short compared to the book version. So it's now time to take a look at the reasons why the movie portrayal didn't always live up to the standards of JK Rowling's novels.
10 Ron's Appearance
Warner Bros certainly got the big criteria for Ron right in casting a redhead. That is, after all, one of the biggest characteristics of the youngest Weasley male. But, while Grint ticked that box, he did come up short in other areas.
In the novels it's established Ron is covered in freckles, something the actor lacks. It's also said that the Gryffindor student has a long nose, whereas Grint's is normal-shaped. Obviously, getting somebody with all of these traits would have been difficult, but the freckle issue, at least, could have been sorted by using make up. Alas, it clearly wasn't worth the effort.
9 Less Smart
Ron is dumbed down for the Harry Potter movies, with Warner Bros painting the character to be far less intelligent than he actually is. Of course, he's never going to be top of the class like Hermione Granger, but he's not a total idiot and is actually a pretty good student academically, for the most part.
Examples of Grint's character being less smart than his book counterpart can be found in The Sorcerer's Stone alone. He doesn't panic chaotically when under attack from Devils Snare, instead giving Hermione the solution for them to get out of that fight. Ron doesn't get hit in the face with a broomstick because, after being raised by wizards and witches, he's already got some experience. These were added in for comedic purposes but they didn't always meet their mark.
8 Humor Cut Down
As mentioned above, Ron is arguably the funniest character in the Harry Potter movies. He definitely lifts some of the doom and gloom that engulfs the later blockbusters, something that's certainly well-received. However, Ron still had many funny scenes from the novels cut out entirely from the big screen versions of the story.
In The Order of the Phoenix, fans were deprived of the chance to see him call doctors "muggle nutters," while also missing out on the opportunity to see him fight against brains in the Department of Mysteries at the Ministry of Magic. Had they been included they'd have only enhanced the character, making him even more hilarious to watch.
7 Less Brave
Another of Ron's defining traits is his courage. Despite often getting into terrifying situations with Harry and Hermione, he constantly holds his own. But Ron was made less brave when it comes to the eight Potter movies, with Warner Bros. instead singling him out as the scared one while his friends often save the day.
An example of this is in the Prisoner of Azkaban. Ron can barely keep it together when he talks to Sirius Black, but, in the book, he's firm when addressing the escaped convict. A second example is in the Chamber of Secrets when, though he's scared of Aragog, he saves Fang the dog by throwing him into Arthur Weasley's old Ford Anglia instead of whimpering and asking Harry if they can leave.
6 Less Defensive Of Hermione
Though the Potter movies do a good job at showing the bickering side of Ron and Hermione's relationship, they're scarce when it comes to showing the softer side to the pair. Ron is fiercely protective of his friend, yet, unfortunately, this doesn't always transcend to the big screen.
Notable omissions include when Ron is screaming himself hoarse while Hermione is being tortured by Bellatrix Lestrange at Malfoy Manor, while he's also protective of her when Severus Snape calls her an "insufferable know-it-all" during the third book. It's also Hermione, instead of Ron, who storms off during the Yule Ball in the Goblet of Fire. This is a key detail because it paints Weasley in a far better light.
5 More Arrogant And Insensitive
The movies also do a bad job on Ron because they make him far more arrogant than he is in the source material. In the books, for the most part, he's down to earth. Yet Warner Bros decided to alter with his character, instead making him far too confident for his own good.
In the Order of the Phoenix movie, Ron says he'll "go easy" on Hermione before she sends him flying back. He's also insensitive in the Deathly Hallows, making a blunt comment about Harry's parents being dead,- a line the novel version of Ron wouldn't dare cross. Sure, it's understandable certain things were changed to add to the drama, but they belittle the character in the process.
4 His Rivalry With Draco Malfoy
The Sorcerer's Stone does a good job at showing Draco Malfoy's abhorrent treatment towards Ron, with the Slytherin student making cruel jokes about the Weasley family's lack of wealth. But, that title aside, the rest of the series omits many details about their rivalry, instead making it seem as though Harry is the only person in the whole of Hogwarts Draco has a problem with.
It's key because Ron, in the final book, lands a punch on Malfoy, finally getting his revenge after many years of torment. This ultimately didn't make it into the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 because, given the lack of backstory, it would have looked extremely out of place.
3 Given Too Much Help
We've already touched upon how Ron was made less brave, less intelligent, and less defensive of his friends, Hermione especially. Another gripe is that, in multiple movies, Ron has to be talked through things as though he's incapable of doing anything himself.
A top example of this is when, in The Sorcerer's Stone, Hermione literally explains how to cast Wingardium Leviosa as they seek to defeat the troll in the girl's bathroom. This is done differently in the book, with Ron coming up with the solution without any help from his friends. This is what makes the troll's defeat so heroic; the fact that Ron has learned from previous mistakes.
2 Not Joining In The Horcrux Chat
The ending of the Half-Blood Prince is definitely emotional. Harry and Hermione talk about Horcruxes and their plan to destroy Lord Voldemort once and for all after the heartbreaking death of Albus Dumbledore. They discuss their intentions not to return to Hogwarts, instead choosing to focus on the bigger mission at hand.
Yet what lets this scene down is the fact it's Harry and Hermione doing all the talking, while Ron sits silently in the background. The trio are a trio, not a double act, and this definitely sold Ron short given he'd be putting his life on the line as well, just like his friends.
1 No Harry Hug
A similar example of Ron being left out while Harry and Hermione take center stage is in the Deathly Hallows: Part 2. Having seen Severus Snape's memories in the Pensieve, the Boy Who Lived bids his friends farewell as he aims to sacrifice himself for the sake of the wizarding world.
But it's Hermione who seems most upset, throwing herself at Harry and giving him a big old hug. Ron, just like in the Half-Blood Prince, instead lingers awkwardly in the background. He should be equally as devastated that his best friend is about to die and it's the last time they're able to talk to each other. Instead, he doesn't seem overly fazed by the whole thing.
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