The August 2009 issue of Sci Fi magazine has a new six page article on Tom’s upcoming new movie Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. In it there are interviews with a variety of members from the team including director David Yates, Daniel Radcliffe, Tom Felton, production designer Stuart Craig, and Matthew Lewis. From Tom, we are given an in-depth analysis of his character Draco, how he feels about knowing the “future” ahead of time, and how he’s only human. Also discussed is the real-life friendship between Tom and Daniel who plays his onscreen nemesis Harry Potter, and read how Daniel really, really enjoyed working with Tom on this film.

“I thoroughly enjoy working with David [Yates], adds Felton. “We get along like a house on fire.” In previous films, Felton’s screen time has been minimal because his cahracter, Draco Malfoy, has been given little to do. That’s changing in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, in which Draco’s role is significant, giving Felton the opportunity to stretch his acting wings.

“David is very good in the respect that he knows that you know the character,” Felton says. “He’s asking questions. He’s asking your opinion and working with you rather than telling you to do things. We’re constantly trying out new emotions for the same scene and trying different things. He’s always experimenting. I revel in it. He’s had a clear image from the start of what he wanted, and I’ve agreed with him in every turn. But in one scene that we’re doing, we’ve done various takes: in one [Draco Malfoy is] feeling ultra confident, an in another he’s bricking it inside and he’s trying to show that he’s feeling confident when really he’s showing contrasting emotions. What will be in the final edit, I have no idea, but it’s been a joy filming it.”

One of the most striking changes for the character of Draco is that even though he’s not yet an adult, he’s given the task of committing murder. “This book reveals the most about Draco,” Felton say about Book 6 in the Harry Potter series. “When I was reading it, I didn’t know if he was going to go through with it or not. I’d like to think that his drive of wanting to be the chosen and take Potter’s place was far greater than his fear of killing someone. Right up to the last minute, I though, ‘Yeah, he’s going to do this.’ And then he lowers his wand–he never really had it in him. That was a revelation to me. He doesn’t have half the heart of Harry–although killing someone is nothing to have heart for–but you need courage and bravery that isn’t up to par with Potter. I remember when the book came out, I was like, ‘I’m going to wait for the script, because I don’t want to get prepared for a scene that’s not going to be there.’ A friend picked it up and said, ‘You’re in this quite a bit,’ so I naturally picked it up rather rapidly and read it cover to cover in about 24 hours. I can’t remember what I was hoping for: [Draco] to do it or not. I quite like the fact that he doesn’t. I think it separates him from the rest of the dark side. He’s quite human, Draco. More so than the rest of them, anyway.

“In previous years, I’ve always tried to read the script more so than the book and not refer to future references too much, because [Draco] doesn’t know what’s going to happen in years to come, so you don’t want it to affect your judgment too much. Equally, I’m only human and I’ve read every book several times. I couldn’t put down the seventh one once I opened it up.”

The tension between Felton and Racliffe on screen is palpable, so their real-life relationship might surprise some viewers. “Me and Tom on this film have had a great time,” Radcliffe says. “We’ve actually grown quite close on this film, as well. We really get on very, very well. That’s been lovely. From what I can see, Tom has given a really, really great performance that is very in queue with what is in the script rather than what I suspect might be in the next one.”

To read the entire article, check out our Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince photo gallery.