Rumor: Warner Bros. Thinking of Firing Daniel Radcliffe

According to The Daily Mail in the UK, executives at Warner Bros, producers of the Harry Potter movies, are said to have been “utterly dismayed” by publicity shots of Radcliffe naked for his appearance in Equus, which starts preview performances tonight, as well as the fact that he spends a full 10 minutes on stage without his clothes.

The article in The Daily Mail says studio chiefs are worried that the nude scenes could damage their multi-million-dollar film franchise and could even lead to Daniel Radcliffe being replaced as Harry Potter in the films.

One of the executives was quoted as saying, “Warner Bros have been building up their publicity machine for Harry’s first – chaste – screen kiss when the next Potter film comes out in the summer.

“Now our star is out there doing full-frontal sex. We’ve been blown completely out of the water by this.”

Equus officially opens at the Gielgud Theatre on 27 February. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix premieres in theaters this summer on July 13, and the final Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, will be published one week later, on July 21.

UPDATE: Feb 18, 2007 – Warner Bros. Denies Radcliffe Firing Rumors

Today, Warner Bros. Pictures officially released this press very short, three sentence press release:

“In response to pieces that have run in various UK media – A spokesperson from Warner Bros. Pictures has issued the following:

“Daniel Radcliffe is an extremely talented actor, as well as a great collaborator and friend to Warner Bros. Pictures. We’ve had great experiences working with him on our films and fully support him in the artistic choices he makes as an actor.”

This statement by Warner Bros. follows a report last Friday in the Daily Mail that executives at Warner Bros, were said to have been “utterly dismayed” by publicity shots of Radcliffe naked for his appearance in Equus. The Daily Mail story included a quote from an unnamed Warner Bros. executive, who was quoted as saying, “Warner Bros have been building up their publicity machine for Harry’s first – chaste – screen kiss when the next Potter film comes out in the summer. Now our star is out there doing full-frontal sex. We’ve been blown completely out of the water by this.”

So, while it’s true that Daniel’s latest bold career move is proving to be controversial, fans will be happy to know that it seems his position as the actor who portrays Harry Potter is safe, at least for the time being.

Meanwhile, Daniel’s first preview performance of Equus in London on Friday night was met with a standing ovation, with the show’s producer calling his performance “a revelation”.

Equus officially opens at the Gielgud Theatre on 27 February. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix premieres in theaters this summer on July 13, and the final Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, will be published one week later, on July 21.