THE Harry Potter The books are full of rich characters, so it’s understandable that some would be cut for the movies, but Percy Weasley’s dwindling appearances are particularly frustrating. In both the books and the films, the Weasleys become Harry Potter’s surrogate family. Harry first befriends Ron, the second youngest Weasley brother, but soon becomes close to everyone, and it is often joked that matriarch Molly loves Harry more than her own children. Harry ends up officially joining the Weasley family by marrying Ginny, the youngest.
The Weasley Harry is least close to is Percy. The fourth Weasley brother, Percy is something of a black sheep in the family. While the others are easygoing and cheerful, Percy is strict, disciplined, and sycophantic in his ambition. At Hogwarts, he takes his duties as Gryffindor Prefect and Head Boy very seriously, and his power-hungry arrogance only increases when he graduates from the school and begins working at the Ministry of Magic. From there, however, Percy’s plot takes a fascinating turn, but the films never bothered to show it.
Percy Weasley’s redemption arc was cut from the Harry Potter films
He fights in the Battle of Hogwarts, but is not seen reconciling with the Weasleys
Tension between Percy and his family came to a head in Harry Potter in the Order of the Phoenix book, when Percy was offered the position of Junior Assistant to the Minister for Magic under the Cornelius Fudge administration. This was when there was a lot of political conflict, as the Ministry claimed that Harry was lying when he said that Voldemort had returned after the death of Cedric Diggory in the Triwizard Tournament.
Percy went so far as to disown the Weasleysmoving to London on his own. This turbulent period exposed the cracks in the Weasley family, especially between Arthur and Percy. Percy was embarrassed by what he saw as his father’s lack of ambition and blamed him for the family’s poor financial situation. Meanwhile, Arthur was horrified by his son’s blatant disloyalty and inability to distinguish right from wrong in his quest to climb the political ladder.
However, when Voldemort rose to power in Harry Potter and the Deathly HallowsPercy’s eyes finally opened to what was happening around him. He sought out Aberforth Dumbledore, who informed him about the Battle of Hogwarts, in which Percy rushed to take part. His family immediately forgave him, and Percy fought bravely alongside them and the Order of the Phoenix.even joking with the then Minister for Magic Pius Thicknesse that he resigned, a rare moment of Percy’s joy that Fred enjoyed, just moments before his death.
The films, however, completely eliminate Percy Weasley’s redemption arc, likely due to time constraints.. Node Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix In the film, Percy is seen working for Fudge and following his instructions to take action against Harry, although he has almost no lines. He was also seen fighting in the Battle of Hogwarts in the final film, but there is no tearful reunion with his family; Percy is there.
Chris Rankin’s appearances as Percy Weasley in the Harry Potter films |
|
---|---|
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001) |
He appeared |
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) |
He appeared |
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) |
He appeared |
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) |
Didn’t show up |
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007) |
He appeared |
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009) |
Didn’t show up |
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010) |
Uncredited appearance |
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011) |
He appeared |
Although not as famous or regrettable a cut from the Harry Potter films like Peeves or the presence of Quidditch, Percy’s clumsily summarized plot in the films must be very confusing for anyone who hasn’t read the books.
The Harry Potter Movies Messed Up Percy and Ginny’s Characters
The Weasley brothers are much more developed in the books
THE Harry Potter The dramatic cut to Percy’s storyline in the films brings to mind another butchered Weasley character: Ginny. Ginny was infamously reduced from one of the fiercest and bravest characters in the Harry Potter books to a bland, passive love interest for Harry in the films. Not only did this make their connection feel completely random, but it also robbed viewers of one of the best female characters in the franchise.
The crimes against Percy are a little less egregious, but the Harry Potter the movies really missed an opportunity to show a morally gray character who shows complete responsibility. Sure, Snape was a double agent, but he was an abusive and troubled character, while the Malfoys only seemed to abandon the Death Eaters for self-preservation.
Percy, on the other hand, was an inherently good character who allowed his ambition to corrupt him. Herrealized his drastic mistakes alone, before the battle was fought and won, and begged for forgiveness without any guarantee that he would receive it. Fans will never fight Voldemort, but we’ll probably all mess up a lot with the people we love and find the courage to apologize. And that’s what makes Percy Weasley a true hero who deserved better in cinema. Maybe he’ll get his chance next Harry Potter series max.
Where Percy Weasley Actor Chris Rankin Is Now
Rankin retired from professional acting and worked behind the camera
Despite his reduced screen time, Percy Weasley actor Chris Rankin did a great job with the material he was given. However, during the Harry Potter film screening, it appears that Rankin has been cured of the acting bug and has decided to leave the industryespecially after some negative experiences auditioning for stage. “At West End auditions, they just say ‘next’, and I thought, I don’t like that anymore.” said Rankin BBC.
Rankin went on to say that he was going to university to study media production, meaning The actor’s pursuit of education may also have played a role in Percy’s slow disappearance into the world. Harry Potter films. And it seems Rankin enjoyed his studies, as he went on to work as an assistant production coordinator on a number of British series, including Downton Abbey.
Rankin is also quite active in Instagramand showed that he has not completely stopped acting, as he still appears in local theater productions. And probably the Weasleys with Percy, if Rankin decides to return to acting professionally, Harry Potter fans would welcome him with open arms.