Thescreescore – The enchanting world of Hogwarts, brought to life in the Harry Potter films, might not have been as magical behind the scenes as fans imagine. James and Oliver Phelps, the actors who portrayed the mischievous Weasley twins, Fred and George, recently revealed a rather unappealing aspect of filming in the iconic Great Hall: a surprisingly strong and unpleasant odor.
Speaking to People, Oliver Phelps described the aroma on set during hot summer days, filled with cast and crew, as akin to "smelly socks." He elaborated that while the on-screen feasts looked delectable, they were often a product of movie magic, masking the less-than-pleasant reality. "Even now, if I watch any of those scenes, I can still smell roasting or oiled vegetables – which isn’t a great smell," Oliver confessed, painting a picture far removed from the fantastical feasts depicted in the films. The actor added that the production team wanted all the turkeys and everything like that to look good for all the feasts.
Despite the olfactory challenges, the Phelps brothers fondly remember their time on the Harry Potter set. James noted the unique ability to recall behind-the-scenes moments while watching the films, even decades later. Oliver reminisced about filming a scene with the legendary Maggie Smith (Professor McGonagall) shortly after attending a music festival, humorously recalling their attempts to appear "composed." "The fourth movie, for example, there’s a scene when the students are being taught by [Professor] McGonagall [played by Maggie Smith] how to dance…trying to look composed. But you remember those moments – the feeling, the people, the smell of the room. It’s all still there."
Related Post
The brothers have since returned to Warner Bros. studios to host "Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking" on the Food Network, a culinary venture they find significantly more fragrant than their days in the Great Hall. New episodes of "Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking" air Saturdays at 8:00 PM ET and 5:00 PM PT on Food Network.
[Adapted from original reporting on thescreescore.com]
Leave a Comment