Mike Newell Directed Harry Potter Stars as Adults  11/18/05

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire director Mike Newell is convinced the improved standard of acting in the new film is because he is the first director to treat the teenage stars like real adults.

The fourth installment of Potter's wizard capers has earned rave reviews and Newell insists it's because he didn't patronize its actors.

He says, "There was one scene where it was clear Ron was in love with Hermione even though he didn't realize.

"I thought I could pussyfoot around this or say, 'Like it or not, this is about sex.'

"I thought you either treat these kids like 11-year-olds or 14 and 15-year-olds. I've kids of my own and been through that.

"There was a fight between the Weasley twins and they were pussy-footing around.

"I thought, 'Come on, who'll fight me? I'll show you how to cut loose.' And I dived in.

"We wrestled and wrestled - until I either cracked a rib or pulled a muscle and was stretchered off."