HARRY POTTER - POTTER STARS SHOULD KEEP THEIR ROLES

The lead actors in the HARRY POTTER movies will survive to the end of the series, according to departing director ALFONSO CUARON.

DAVID HEYMAN, who produces the fantasy adaptations of JK ROWLING's smash hit novels, hinted child stars DANIEL RADCLIFFE, EMMA WATSON and RUPERT GRINT - who play HARRY POTTER, HERMIONE GRANGER and RON WEASLEY respectively - may have to be replaced before the seventh and final movie, because they are ageing too fast.

But Cuaron, who directed the recently released third film HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN, insists they are safe.

He says, "It would be amazing to have the whole series with the same kids. It would be priceless. It would be something very special, for the ages. So far, they're holding up very good, the way that they are aging.

"I don't think Dan is going to get way much taller or suddenly grow another eye. Same with Emma, and Rupert is OK.

"Let's hope. In the last one they're supposed to be 17. Say they're 19, I think they're going to be very good. That would be very special."

FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL director MIKE NEWELL has been hired to direct the next Potter movie, HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE.