While Warwick Davis is a name you might not instantly recognize, I can assure you you’ve seen his work. His career began as the Ewok "Wicket" in Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi, after which he starred in such films as Labyrinth, Willow, the Leprechaun series, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and of course Harry Potter. In the wizarding franchise, Davis played two characters: Professor Flitwick and Griphook. Steve is currently in sunny Orlando at Universal’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter for the DVD/Blu-ray release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2, and he got the chance to sit down with Davis for an extended interview earlier today.

The actor spoke about his impressions of Universal’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park, getting recognized in the street, the evolution of make-up effects over the years, what props he’s been able to keep from various films, Bryan Singer’s big-budget Jack the Giant Killer, his hilarious new TV series Life’s Too Short with Ricky Gervais, and of course the lasting legacy of the Harry Potter franchise. Hit the jump to watch the interview.

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Warwick Davis Time Index

  • :10 Has he been able to walk around the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at all to experience it? Says people recognize him and assume he’s part of the attraction.
  • 1:30 When people catch him on the street, what do they want to talk to him about? Says he gets Star Wars, Leprechaun, and a lot of Willow.
  • 2:53 Since his characters usually involve a lot of make-up, talks about how the make-up process has changed over the years. Says it’s much more plat-gel and silicon-based nowadays. Says Plat-gel is translucent and is much more like human skin than foam or latex.
  • 4:25 Was he able to take home any props from any of the films he’s been in? Says he has throwing bowlers and ewok toes from Star Wars, his wand and some arrows from Willow, and a coin from Gringotts from the first Harry Potter.
  • 6:22 Talks about Bryan Singer’s Jack the Giant Killer. He plays an actor in a traveling theater group in the beginning of the film. Says the beanstalk is huge.
  • 7:30 Talks about his involvement in Ricky Gervais’ comedy Life’s Too Short and how it came together.
  • 8:51 Upcoming projects