LOS ANGELES, Aug 22: An 11-year-old British boy, who played a young David Copperfield on BBC Television, has edged out thousands of competitors to win one of the most coveted film roles for a child in years - that of Harry Potter.Daniel Radcliffe has been selected to play the title role in Warner Bros. Pictures' upcoming movie adaptation of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, the studio said on Monday.The choice of Radcliffe to star as the plucky young wizard's apprentice capped an extensive talent search among thousands of kids eager for a part in the film, based on the first of four best-selling children's books by J K Rowling, Warner Bros. said.In addition, British newcomers Emma Watson, 10, and Rupert Grint, 11, whose acting experience to date consists only of parts in school plays, will join the cast as Harry's two best friends at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry - Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley.The picture currently is due for release in November 2001, studio spokesman John Durtique said.The announcement by Warner Bros., carried on its website for the movie (harrypotter.com), follows mounting speculation in the British press since the studio issued a casting call months ago.A picture of the three young British actors shows a smiling, dark-haired Radcliffe, wearing round, bookworm-style eyeglasses, flanked by Grint and Watson."These are magical roles, the kind that come around once in a lifetime, and they required talented children who can bring magic to the screen," said Lorenzo di Bonaventura, president of worldwide theatrical production for Warner Bros., a unit of Time Warner Inc.Director Chris Columbus, describing the casting process as "intense," said he felt at times he might never find the right actor for the title role."Then, Dan walked into the room, and we all knew we had found Harry," Columbus said in a statement. "We were equally elated upon meeting Emma and Rupert, who were perfect for the roles of Hermione and Ron."In addition to last year's BBC production of Charles Dickens' masterwork David Copperfield, Radcliffe will be seen later this year in the John Boorman film The Tailor of Panama, based on the bestselling novel by John Le Carre, Warner Bros. said.The roles of Harry, Hermione and Ron are the only ones to be announced so far, though other names have surfaced during the past few weeks in the trade press.Britain's Alan Rickman and Irish actor Richard Harris reportedly have been in talks to play the roles of Professor Snape and headmaster Dumbledore, respectively.Dame Maggie Smith has emerged in media reports in connection with Harry's transfiguration teacher, Professor McGonagall, and Scottish actor Robbie Coltrane as been linked to the role of Hagrid, the school's groundsman who befriends the young wizard.A report last week in the British media that 13-year-old British actor Gabriel Thomson had been cast as Harry Potter proved incorrect.
