THREE unknown British child actors are poised to become overnight multi-millionaires when they are named the stars of the Harry Potter series.
They will become 11-year-old lead characters Harry, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley in the TV reboot.
Warner Bros said the names of the three lucky children, picked from more than 32,000 wannabes who sent in audition tapes from across the UK and Ireland, would be announced imminently.
The trio will start filming in summer at the company’s 200-acre studio in Leavesden, Herts, alongside A-listers John Lithgow, 79, as Albus Dumbledore, Paul Whitehouse, 67, as Argus Filch, and Nick Frost, 53, as Rubeus Hagrid.
Each of JK Rowling’s seven books will be made into a series of six episodes. It is said to costing £75million an episode.
The three child actors could land themselves even bigger fortunes than Potter movie stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint.
Entertainment writer James Hibberd told The Sun: “While the confirmed adult actors are pros, casting kids is always a gamble and their chemistry is key to the story’s charm.”
Hollywood finance expert Martin Cobb added: “There’s absolutely no reason to suppose they won’t easily exceed the incomes of the three original stars.”
Original Harry actor Daniel, 35, has an estimated net worth of £82.5million, while Emma, 35, bagged £64million and Rupert, 36, earned £37.5million.
A senior production source said: “The hope is that this becomes the most lucrative TV series of all time.
“But that hinges on how two young boys and a girl manage to bond — as well as coping with instant fame.”
The first series is expected to be shown next year on HBO.
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