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SALT LAKE CITY — Thousands of local Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs, Ravenclaws and Slytherins rejoiced Friday when Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter films, answered their questions at the Salt Lake Comic Con FanXperience.
Contrary to his film character, Felton was very gracious to the fans who came to see him.
"If the rest of the world was like it is on the inside of the convention walls, it would be a much better place," Felton said.
Last week, Felton finally got sorted into a Hogwarts house on Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling's website Pottermore, and the results were surprising.
"I got put in bloody Gryffindor," Felton said. "I even called J.K. and said 'there must be a glitch in the system.' She said the [sorting] hat never lies."
Last year, Rowling revealed more information about Draco Malfoy, saying his character received a bit too much support from fans, Felton said.
While she admitted he had a few redeeming qualities, she said he was still a "slimy git," Felton said.
One fan pointed out Felton has played the villain in the Harry Potter movies and "Planet of the Apes."
"I seem to have fun sinking my teeth into these vindictive, malicious characters," Felton said. "I like to think of myself at the opposite end of that spectrum."
Felton talked about some of the highlights of growing up on the set of the Harry Potter films.
As a kid, he liked to sneak food onto the set during rehearsal, but he would fail to take pieces of chocolate and chips out of the pockets of his robes. When the costume crew found out, they ended up sewing the robe pockets of the entire cast shut, Felton said.
Although he enjoyed duelling with Daniel Radcliffe in "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets," his favorite film was "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince."
"I had a huge crush on Helena Bonham Carter, which was weird since she was playing my auntie," Felton said.
Felton even met his girlfriend of nearly seven years, Jade Olivia, on the Harry Potter set. Olivia was first an extra on the set, but ended up playing Astoria Malfoy, Draco's wife, at the end of the final film.
One fan was curious what Felton's favorite line in the films was.
"I've always enjoyed 'my father will hear about this,’ ” Felton said.
Felton's fans have inspired him to direct a documentary about the world of "super fans" as he called them.
When he first began attending conventions, he was "in awe" of how the fans reacted to him, and his upcoming film will highlight the phenomenon.
"I honestly thought when the last (Harry Potter) film was over, it would be the end of it, that fans would move on to something else," Felton said. "I'm thrilled to say that's not the case."
