David Thewlis on Rove Live

Many thanks to Juliet, who transcribed David Thewlis's June 8 appearance on Rove Live. We have the transcript below - but please note that some of the language would definitely be rated 15+ by the Australian Film Commission.
TRANSCRIPT OF DAVID Thewlis INTERVIEW ON “ROVE LIVE” TUESDAY 8TH JUNE 2004 IN AUSTRALIA
Rove: He’s an award winning actor who starred alongside the likes of Brad Pitt, Marlon Brando and Leonardo DiCaprio. He can add Daniel Radcliffe to that illustrious list as he dons the robes to take on the role as Professor Lupin, in the third instalment of Harry Potter – the Prisoner of Azkaban. It’s out Thursday – here’s a peek.

(Play scene of Lupin teaching Harry how to perform a patronus with the boggart as the dementor)

Rove: Please welcome David Thewlis (comes out on stage, sits down and looks at large plate of M&M’s on table)…

Rove: They are every flavour beans
David: Well, maybe not every flavour
Rove: How are you doing?
David: I am tired; I have only been here three days
Rove: Have you been here before?
David: I have been in Australia before; I was up in Cairns about six years ago, doing a film called “The Island of Doctor Moreau”]
Rove: Oh of course, with the island not being played by Marlon Brando, which is strange
David: No but he tried to
Rove: You didn’t enjoy that one?
David: No it wasn’t the best thing I have ever made. It wasn’t the most enjoyable thing I have ever made.
Rove: Well what about this one. Going into Harry Potter, they have already made the two films, it is a very well known franchise…where you at all apprehensive going into it?
David: Not really, although I kind of went into a few chat rooms to research the character and a lot of the kids were very abrasive about me playing the character, because they didn’t know me, they wanted Jude Law, or Ewan McGregor or someone more handsome basically.
Rove: Who else was up for the role?
David: I don’t think anyone was really, I think I was the first choice...
Rove: Good for you…stick it up them!
David: I don’t think Jude got a look-in…..he’s a friend of mine, so I’m not slagging him.
Rove: No it’s alright; we’ll edit that bit out when it goes to air
David: He’s a twat
Rove: So when you did get the role, is it something that you can brag to your friends with small children? Are you suddenly popular with the younger set?
David: The very best thing about doing it is seeing the reaction on kid’s faces when you tell them you’ve done it. And it was only released in London last week, so when I go back to England Monday or whatever, I am expecting heaps of adulation. I’m hoping there is. If that doesn’t happen I will be disappointed. (Laughter)
Rove: You put signs up at your house, is that true?
David: It is true, but I am kind of puzzled by that, because this appeared in a British newspaper, but basically two friends bought for me from a garden centre a sign that says “no muggles allowed” and on the other side says “I’m playing Quidditch”. So they thought that it was a cute little gift. So this is in my back garden, and only my immediate neighbours can see this. So this has appeared in the tabloids, and now it is on the internet, and now you’re asking me on Australia television. I’m going to kill my f***ing neighbour. And I think it is this woman called Joan who lives next door, and kinda burst into my house without being announced...
Rove: Is she hoping to boost her own property prices?
David” I hope she’s got cable TV and is watching. Joan. you’re in trouble
Rove: Were you a fan of the books before the film?
David: I nearly played Quirrell in the first film and a friend of mine, Ian Hart played it in the end, and that is how I came to do it, because I was working with Ian, and he saw the script laying around. He said “are you doing Harry Potter?” And I said, “I dunno, I am doing Lulu or Lupus or whatever you call it”. And he said “You’re playing Lupin, he’s the best part” So that is why I did it really
Rove: So tell me about Professor Lupin’s role in the film, because it’s quite substantial. It’s a great role to get.
David: It is. I mean people probably know it better than me if you have read the books. I mean, I had not read the third book, by the time I came to do it. But he’s basically the new Defence against the Dark Arts teacher…that’s Arts, not arse. (laughter) Defence against the Dark Arse…I feel a sequel coming on(laughter). Yeah he’s a kind of very kindly, very nurturing teacher with a little dark secret that I am supposed not to mention, but its one of the best selling books in the world, so I turn into a werewolf.
Rove: because I was going to say, and I might as well give it away, but you have an action figure here.. (brings out Lupin/werewolf transformer toy) So what it actually does is transforms...
David: I am a transformer
Rove: Can you change him to the human you.
David: Well I am not actually used to doing it this way around. I should explain that I grew up in a town called Blackpool in England in a toyshop, and I have become a toy, and it’s fantastic. Used to sell Lego, and I have also become Lego.
Rove: The one thing I do want to ask you before we finish up. Daniel Radcliffe was interviewed recently, and he said he believed that Harry’s outcome will be that he will die. What do you think is going to happen to Harry?
David: Did he?
Rove: Yes, he said it’s only inevitable
David: I think that would be really rotten of JK Rowling to do that, after all these films, after all these books. I mean there is going to be seven books. Is that what he thinks is going to happen?
Rove: Well I assume so
David: Well I am afraid that I am going to die, because I have just put a down payment on a house.
Rove: He may return
David: Well he reappears in book five, and I met JK Rowling the other night for the first time, and I was very nice to her and bought her a drink
Rove: That Lupine’s a great character! He’d be a great hero!
David: yes it is one of my favourite characters, so I hope she doesn’t kill me like she killed someone else recently.
Rove: well the film is out Thursday. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Please thanks David Thewlis