When the curtain rises on "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" surprised moviegoers will gasp at the first sight of actor Matthew Lewis. Neville Longbottom, is that really you?
Lewis, 23, has played clumsy, good-natured Neville since the film franchise began in 2001.
Thanks to a growth spurt courtesy of Mother Nature, Lewis emerges like a younger version of a Clive Owen in this epic finale to the highest-earning movie franchise in Hollywood history.
The actor's transformation has sent the Internet buzzing, with critics calling Lewis the breakout star of "Deathly Hallows: 2."
"I'm overwhelmed by it all. But I'm awkward with the attention. It's not something I'm used to," Lewis told CTVNews.ca on Tuesday during a stop in Toronto.
"This is the one movie I wanted to really get right for Neville. The moments he has in the film are crucial. I knew as a fan of the series how important they were. I really wanted to make sure we nailed them," Lewis said.
The finale's plot transforms Neville into a man of action.
Neville wields a sword and battles bad guys with fearless proficiency.
He rallies the kids at Hogwarts and raises their spirits.
Neville even stands up to the evil Lord Voldemort. But prepping for the moment terrified Lewis.
English actor Ralph Fiennes has portrayed Voldemort throughout the Potter franchise. Fiennes' intensity intimidated the young star.
"When he read the scene we were in our street clothes. Ralph had hair. He had a nose," Lewis said, with a grin.
"I don't know if he meant to do it. But he looked literally like he was staring into my soul. I didn't know what to do," Lewis said.
When the actors met to shoot the scene in full makeup Lewis rose to the occasion.
"It was like tunnel vision," he said.
"It was just me and Ralph. Everything else just melted away."
Lewis ups the action
In real life, Fiennes and Potter's other veteran stars such as Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon, and Alan Rickman were far from frightening.
"Michael would tell filthy jokes. Alan would talk about scrambled eggs. It's what people do," said Lewis.
"These big stars had a total lack of ego. It was really inspiring. It helped everyone to stay grounded."
Lewis began acting at the age of five, launching his career with minor parts in British television shows.
His life changed forever thanks to Harry Potter. But as Lewis began to mature, the child star had to wear a fat suit and false teeth to retain Neville's look.
Lewis also wore bits of plastic to make his ears stick out and clothes and shoes that were two sizes too big.
"It was awkward, but necessary," Lewis said. "You do it for the fans. Harry Potter has the best fans in the world."
Looking ahead, Lewis is hopeful about life after Harry Potter.
Upon the advice of his idol, Alan Rickman, Lewis has started working on stage.
Lewis has also finished his first post-Potter film role. He'll play a young reporter in the 2013 film, "The Sweet Shop."
But looking back at a decade of Potter films, Lewis said it is the premieres and fans he'll miss the most.
"When we finished filming ‘Deathly Hallows 2' I was never sad. I never felt like crying," said Lewis.
"When we premiered the movie in London last week and I looked out across this sea of people I realized this would be the last time for to us present Harry Potter to these fans. I'll never forget that realization or the fans."
