They were ten years old when they won their parts in the Harry Potter movie.
But time has moved on, and Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint are now seasoned actors, filming their seventh feature film.
As they recorded their scenes in Piccadilly Circus last night the three were virtually unrecognisable from the fresh-faced 10 and 11-year-olds who were introduced to the world back in 2000.
Dramatic scene: A glamorous Emma Watson looks scared as she films alongside Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint in London’s Piccadilly Circus last night
Then an innocent Daniel told reporters ‘I think I’m a tiny bit like Harry because I’d like to have an owl’, while Emma insisted she was not as ‘goody two-shoes’ as her character.
Radcliffe, now 19, who plays the young wizard, brought Piccadilly Circus to a standstill as he shot scenes for Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows.
Along with Rupert, 20, and Emma, 19, who play Harry’s friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, he was reportedly filming what Harry Potter fans would recognise as the ‘cafe attack’ scene from the book.
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Tired? Daniel, Rupert and Emma were all caught yawning on set as they filmed late at night in London
The three joined up to 400 extras to film until 5am today.
The scene takes place after the trio of friends flee the wedding of Ron’s older brother Bill Weasley to Fleur Delacourt after finding out that Rufus Scrimgeour is dead and the Ministry of Magic is now under Voldemort’s control.
With the boys dressed in suits and Hermione in a stunning red dress, the pair arrive at a Muggle cafe, where they believe they are safe until they spot two Death Eaters.
Fresh faced: Rupert, Daniel and Emma in 2001 in a scene from Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone
And action! Daniel, Rupert and Emma walk through the arches of the Trocadero in Piccadilly Circus
The Deathly Hallows, JK Rowling’s last book in her best-selling series, will be split into two parts for the big-screen adaptation.
The cast and crew started filming the first part in February.
Part I is due for release in 2010, with Part II out in 2011. The prequel, Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince, will be released in the UK on 15 July.
It was originally scheduled for release last November, but was delayed so Warner Bros studio had a guaranteed ‘major summer blockbuster’ after the Hollywood writers’ strike delayed a lot of movies.
On the run: Emma leads the trio to the Muggle cafe after fleeing the wedding
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Fear: Emma and Rupert spot the Death Eaters arriving
Before flying into London to film their scenes the Harry Potter trio had been in Scotland
Emma and Daniel were filming a scene which sees Harry and Hermione camping in the Scottish highlands.
But off-camera it appeared Emma only had eyes for financier Jay Barrymore.
Since she started dating the 27-year-old last year, Emma has remained remarkably coy over their burgeoning romance.
But despite rumours they had broken up, it appears their relationship is still going strong after they were spotted sharing a tender kiss on the set over the weekend.