TheHarry Potterbooks are packed to the brim with rich characters, so it’s understandable that some would be cut for the movies, but Percy Weasley’s dwindling appearances are particularly frustrating. In both the books and films, the Weasleys become Harry Potter’s surrogate family. Harry first befriends second-youngest Weasley sibling Ron, but he’s soon close with the whole lot, and it’s frequently joked about that matriarch Molly loves Harry more than her own children. Harry even ends up officially joiningthe Weasley familywhen he marries Ginny, the youngest.
The Weasley whom Harry is least close to is Percy. The fourth-born Weasley sibling,Percy is somewhat of a black sheep in the family. Whereas the others are easygoing and mirthful, Percy is rigid, disciplined, and sycophantic in his ambition. At Hogwarts, he takes hisduties as Gryffindor Prefectand Head Boy far too seriously, and his power-hungry arrogance only grows when he graduates from school and begins working at the Ministry for Magic. From there, however, Percy’s storyline takes a fascinating turn, but the movies never bothered to show it.
Percy Weasley’s Redemption Arc Was Cut From The Harry Potter Movies
He Fights In The Battle Of Hogwarts But Is Not Seen Reconciling With The Weasleys
Tension between Percy and his family came to a head in theHarry Potter in the Order of the Phoenixbook, when Percy was offered the position of Junior Assistant tothe Minister for Magicunder the Cornelius Fudge administration. This was when there was much political strife, as the Ministry maintained that Harry was lying when he said that Voldemort had returned following the death of Cedric Diggory at the Triwizard Tournament.
Percy even went so far as to disown the Weasleys, moving to London on his own. This turbulent time exposed the cracks in the Weasley family, particularly between Arthur and Percy. Percy was embarrassed by what he saw as his father’s lack of ambition, and blamed him for the family’s poor financial status. Meanwhile, Arthur was appalled at his son’s flagrant disloyalty and inability to tell right from wrong in his quest to climb the political ladder.
However, when Voldemort rose to power inHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Percy’s eyes were finally open to what was happening around him. He reached out to Aberforth Dumbledore, who made him aware of the Battle of the Hogwarts, which Percy rushed to join.His family immediately forgave him, and Percy fought valiantly alongside them and the Order of the Phoenix, even joking to then-Minister for Magic Pius Thicknesse that he resigned, a rare moment of mirth from Percywhich Fred enjoyed, just moments before his death.
The movies, however, completely eliminate Percy Weasley’s redemption arc, likely due to time constraints. In theHarry Potter and the Order of the Phoenixfilm, Percy is seen working for Fudge and following his instruction to act against Harry, though he barely has any lines. He’s also seen fighting at the Battle of Hogwarts in the final movie, but there isn’t any tearful reunion with his family; Percy is just there.
Chris Rankin’s Appearances As Percy Weasley In The Harry Potter Movies
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone(2001)
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets(2002)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban(2004)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire(2005)
Did not appear
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix(2007)
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince(2009)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1(2010)
Uncredited appearance
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2(2011)
Appeared
While it’s not as famous or bemoaned a cut from theHarry Pottermovies as Peeves or the presence of Quidditch, Percy’s awkwardly abridged storyline in the movies must be very confusing to those who haven’t read the books.
The Harry Potter Movies Messed Up Percy & Ginny’s Characters
The Weasley Siblings Are Much More Fleshed Out In The Books
TheHarry Pottermovies' dramatic slashing of Percy’s storyline brings to mind another butchered Weasley character: Ginny. Ginny infamously was reduced from being one of the fieriest, bravest characters in theHarry Potterbooks to a bland, passive love interest for Harry in the movies. This not only made their connection seem completely random but also robbed viewers of one of the franchise’s best female characters.
The story-slashing crimes against Percy are somewhat less egregious, buttheHarry Pottermoviesreally missed the opportunity to show a morally grey character who shows full accountability.Sure, Snape was a double agent, but he was an abusive and problematic character, whereas the Malfoys only seemed to abandon the Death Eaters for self-preservation.
Percy, on the other hand, was an inherently good character who allowed his ambition to corrupt him. He realized his drastic mistakes on his own, before the battle was fought and won, and begged for forgiveness without any guarantee he would receive it. Fans are never going to battle Voldemort, but likely all of us will mess up big time with the people we love and find the courage to apologize. And that’s what makes Percy Weasley a true hero who deserved better in the movies. Perhaps he’ll get his chance in theupcomingHarry Potterseries on Max.
Where Percy Weasley Actor Chris Rankin Is Now
Rankin Retired From Professional Acting & Has Worked Behind The Camera
Despite his reduced screen time, Percy Weasley actor Chris Rankin did a lot of great work with the material he was given. However,during theHarry Pottermovies' run, it appears that Rankin was cured of the acting bug, and decided to leave the industry, particularly after some negative experiences auditioning for the stage.“In the West End auditions, they just say ‘next’, and I thought, I don’t enjoy this any more,” Rankin toldBBC.
Rankin went on to say that he was off to university to study media production, meaningthe actor’s pursuit of education may have also played a part in Percy’s slow disappearance in theHarry Pottermovies. And it appears that Rankin enjoyed his studies, as he went on to work as an assistant production coordinator for several British series, includingDownton Abbey.
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Rankin is also quite active onInstagram, and has shown that he hasn’t completely left acting behind, as he still appears in local theater productions. And likely the Weasleys with Percy, should Rankin choose to return to professional acting,Harry Potterfans would welcome him with open arms.
Harry Potter
Harry Potter is a multimedia franchise about an orphaned boy who enrolls at Hogwarts School of Wizardry, where he learns the truth about himself, his family, and the terrible evil that haunts the magical world. Adapted from the novels, Harry Potter is an eight-episode film saga that follows the journey of Harry Potter and his friends, Hermoine Granger and Ron Weasley, as they navigate the tricky world of growing up, school life, and magic. Starting from year one and moving to their seventh year, the films chronicle the students' time at Hogwarts while unfurling a sinister plot that centers around the unsuspecting Harry. With the return of the dark wizard, Voldemort, the students and professors at Hogwarts will fight to carry on as the world around them may change forever. Harry Potter has expanded beyond the world of its films and novels with several video games, a spin-off film series titled Fantastic Beasts, and even attractions at Universal Studios.
