Father Geek here. Well, HARRY POTTER has been cast!

Liam Aiken (stepmom, I dreamed of africa) will play Harry Potter in the Sorcerer's Stone. Bound to piss off at least half of the books' fans, but I think he fits the part. This follows the resignation of Susie Figgis, the casting director, who waded through 40 000 applications from British kids for the job, made up a short list, all of whom Columbus rejected. Columbus worked with Aiken on Stepmom, so I do get the feeling it's a case of who you know, but like I said, it' ok by me, as long as they do it right.

Mugglewump

Father Geek back... The following story was sent to me today from The Daily Express (London). It was titled: "As if by magic, American is conjured up to play Potter." It was an EXCLUSIVE BY JAMES O'BRIEN the Express' SHOWBUSINESS EDITOR. Now the story has a decidedly British slant, but...

Don;t know if youve hear or not so I figured I would send it along!!

Daily Express (London)

As if by magic, American is conjured up to play Potter

EXCLUSIVE BY JAMES O'BRIEN

SHOWBUSINESS EDITOR

Harry Potter has become the latest victim of Hollywood's increasing animosity towards all things British.

In the forthcoming film version of the outrageously popular books by Scottish author JK Rowling, the schoolboy wizard is to be played by an American.

Film-makers Warner Brothers last night refused to confirm the casting of 10-year-old Liam Aiken, but the Daily Express has discovered that he was offered the role at the personal insistence of director Chris Columbus, who worked with him on the 1998 Julia Roberts drama, Stepmom.

Ironically, his character in that film was obsessed with conjuring and magic tricks.

"The deal is all but done and dusted," said a studio source. "The bottom line is that Columbus's contract stipulates that he has the final say over all casting decisions and he's got the actor he wants. Liam actually has a British mother but he is as American as apple pie."

The controversial casting follows the dramatic departure from the project of London-based casting director Susie Figgis, who resigned after Columbus expressed no interest in the 300 British boys she presented for audition after wading through 40,000 applications.

"Susie quit because she felt that the director and the studio, despite protestations to the contrary, were determined to cast an American in the leading role for purely commercial reasons," said a friend of Mrs. Figgis, who is married to the film director Mike Figgis.

"Columbus told her that there was no one in Britain suitable for the role and she thought that was absolute nonsense."

But industry insiders claimed yesterday that Columbus, who directed children's hits including Mrs Doubtfire and Home Alone, was determined to cast Aiken from the beginning and only embarked on the search for a British boy to placate Potter's creator who has spoken of her determination to see one in the role.

Rowling, 34, who was at Exeter University yesterday to receive an honorary degree in the presence of her parents Peter and Janet, even arranged an audition for 11-year-old Niall Colton herself after being struck by the Belfast schoolboy's resemblance to the fictional hero. Jamie Bell, the 14-year-old star of acclaimed British film Dancer, was also among English performers approached to audition for the role, while Stroud schoolboy Alex Houston typified the army of Potter lookalikes.

Jordan Calvert, aged 12, who also met with casting directors on two occasions but failed to land the role, was mag-naminous in defeat.

He said: "I would prefer that the role went to a British boy but I suppose it doesn't matter as long as whoever gets the role does a good job." One London casting director, John Hubbard, said: "I would be amazed if Susie hasn't found at least a handful of brilliant British children for the part. But we tend to forget that Hollywood is in the business of making money."

And one English mother, whose 11-year-old son was seen briefly by Columbus said: "From the moment we arrived it was as if they were going through the motions."