British paper ID's teen-ager to play Harry Potter

LONDON (Reuters) -- Teenage British actor Gabriel Thomson has been selected to play the role of wizard Harry Potter in a movie adaptation, Britain's Daily Telegraph newspaper reported on Saturday.

The 13-year-old from south London played the part of young Pip in a BBC adaptation of Charles Dickens' "Great Expectations" opposite actress Charlotte Rampling last year.

He has also worked with Brit-pack actor Jude Law in the up-coming movie "Enemy at the Gate."

Warner Brothers refused to confirm whether or not they had found their Harry and said they would be announcing their decision via the Internet on August 21.

J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter novels, has so far confirmed only two of the film's cast members.

Dame Maggie Smith is to play Harry's art teacher Professor McGonagall and heavyweight Scottish actor Robbie Coltrane is to take the part of Hagrid, the school's groundsman who befriends the young wizard.

Rowling said she has always wanted a British boy to play Harry, the newspaper reported.

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