Tom Felton Spills Secrets at FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention Spring 2019
Tom Felton was one of many celebrity guests at FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention Spring 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. During his spotlight panel and Q&A, he spilled a few secrets and showed us some of that Draco charm, and we can’t help but share with our MuggleNet followers.
He’s a die-hard Slytherin.
I’m not sure who loves Slytherin more: Draco Malfoy or Tom Felton. What I can tell you is that Felton made numerous jokes about his Slytherin pride and his distaste toward Gryffindors. He easily kept the crowd laughing for the entire hour.
“Emma and I are very good friends. I taught her how to skateboard, and she’s still a Gryffindor at heart and I’m still a Slytherin.”
— @TomFelton@fanxsaltlake #fanx #tomfelton— young adult library (@youngadultlib) April 20, 2019
He used his annoyance with his brothers to play his role.
When the host asked how Felton was able to play such a malicious character as a child, he admitted that he was a little bit of jerk. Most of his attitude came from his real-life annoyance toward his brothers. Felton went on to sing the praises of all members of his family but teased his brothers as any good sibling would do.
Host: “Were you a jerk as a little kid? How did you learn to do this?”
Tom: “In a word, yes.”@TomFelton @fanxsaltlake #fanx #tomfelton— young adult library (@youngadultlib) April 20, 2019
He asked who was a Drarry fan.
Tom Felton asked who supported Draco x Hermione and who supported Draco/Harry. Then he jokingly asked who supported Draco x Apple. I think he likes fruit. When analyzing the Drarry ship, Felton commented on how he believed people’s love for it comes from their desire to see Draco happy and have fun.
“I think Draco wanted to be loved just like Harry did.
You spend 5 years learning how to hate the little bastard, but like most bullies, you realize he was suffering deep down.
I think the #Drarry shipping comes from a deep desire to let Draco have a bit of fun.”
— @TomFelton— young adult library (@youngadultlib) April 20, 2019
He talked about his friendship with Emma Watson.
Tom was specifically asked about dating rumors between himself and Emma Watson. He laughed as he told the crowd, “No, we haven’t dated. …not yet. I haven’t convinced her.”
Question: Rumors of Emma and Tom dating
Tom: “We’re very good friends. I’m lucky enough to see her when I do. But no, we haven’t dated. …not yet. I haven’t convinced her.”
— @TomFelton@fanxsaltlake #fanx #tomfelton— young adult library (@youngadultlib) April 20, 2019
That Voldemort hug wasn’t scripted.
“The Voldemort hug wasn’t scripted. I did that walk probably 100 times. He hugged me once.
It scared me. He’s not a good hugger. Don’t hug Voldemort, guys.”
— @TomFelton@fanxsaltlake #fanx #tomfelton— young adult library (@youngadultlib) April 20, 2019
He’d like to play Draco again someday.
Tom told the audience how Draco really was the best character in the series because he just got to stand in the background and brood. He also admitted that he’d really enjoy playing an older Draco when he gets older someday.
“Maybe I’ll get a chance to play old Draco when I’m older.”
— @TomFelton@fanxsaltlake #fanx #tomfelton— young adult library (@youngadultlib) April 20, 2019
Michael Gambon was his favorite actor to work with on Harry Potter.
He told a quick anecdote about how during one scene, he kept messing up his lines. He eventually went outside for a breath of fresh air, where Michael Gambon – who played Albus Dumbledore – also was. After apologizing profusely, Gambon told Felton, “Do you have any idea how much they’re paying me per day? Keep this up and I can buy a new car.”
Q: fave actor to work w in HP
“Michael Gambon was lots of fun. I kept buggering up my lines & went outside for air & I said to him, ‘I’m so sorry.’”
He said, ‘Do you have any idea how much they’re paying me ? You keep this up and I’ll be able to buy a new car.” @TomFelton #fanx— young adult library (@youngadultlib) April 20, 2019
Not only did he audition for Harry, but he tried out for Ron too.
And they dyed his hair accordingly for those auditions!
“I did audition for Harry about 6 times. They dyed my hair brown, gave me the glasses, gave me the scar. Then about 3 times, Ron. They dyed my hair red. It’s not funny.
And then Hermione, and I knew I wasn’t gonna get that one. Just kidding.”
— @TomFelton #tomfelton @fanxsaltlake— young adult library (@youngadultlib) April 20, 2019
Felton also acknowledged that “no one could do better at Harry than Mr. Radcliffe.” And I almost cried. It’s fine.
He hadn’t heard of Harry Potter before auditioning.
Chris Columbus evidently was going down a line of potential cast members, asking what part of the book they were most excited for. Felton, who had not yet read Harry Potter, listened to the answer of the person before him. “I’m excited for Gringotts,” they said. So naturally, Felton shared that he, too, was also excited about Gringotts, sharing that he loved “how they fly about.” He clearly had no idea what he was talking about, and I guess Chris Columbus had a feeling his (unsuccessful) cunning would make him a great Draco Malfoy.
After seeing him in person, I really get just how charming Tom Felton is and why he made such a great Draco. And lucky us, Tom Felton left some time at the end to play guitar and sing some songs for the crowd. Check it out:
Thanks, FanX, for having him come! You can watch the full panel here.