Ron Weasley is one of the three main characters from Harry Potter. As one of the main trio, many fans have loved the characters and the humor and heart that he brought to the friendships.
However, just as with many other aspects of the movie interpretation, there are some key differences between Ron in the book and Ron in the movies. The movies don’t have as much time to explore the nuances in the book, so many things get left out.
Here are the ten main things about Ron Weasley that were changed for the movies.
ALL HIS FRECKLES
This is a minor change that is about appearance and not about personality. However, it’s one of the main differences that fans noticed right away. While in the books, Ron is supposed to be quite tall and covered in freckles, this isn’t the case in the movies.
While Rupert Grint does a great job as Ron, he doesn’t have freckles and the movie team didn’t give him any either. He’s also not nearly as tall as gangly as the Ron in the books.
MAKING HIM SEEM A LOT LESS SMART THAN HARRY
In the books, as far as course work is concerned, Ron isn’t all that much worse at school than Harry. While Harry does excel as a defense against the dark arts, Ron and Harry both aren’t super invested students. They both spend a lot of time spacing out in class and putting off doing their homework.
While Ron might be a little bit lazier about getting homework done, they aren’t at that different of a level. However, in the movies, Ron definitely comes off as being much less capable at magic than Harry.
GOT RID OF A LOT OF HIS HUMOR
This is an interesting point because, in many ways, one of the downsides of the movie adaptation is that Ron is used too much for comic relief. He is often brushed to the side and is not given as many moments to shine and the other two members of the golden trio.
However, his humor doesn’t cross as well in the movies. In the books, he is a lot more snarky and irreverent in his humor. And this is something that is often missing from the movie version of his character.
HE DIDN’T STAND UP FOR HERMIONE AS MUCH
In both the books and the movies, Ron and Hermione’s friendship is rather up and down. While they are rather devoted friends, they also have a lot of personality clashes. While Ron might argue with Hermione a lot, he would also stick up for her fiercely when other people came for her.
This difference is illustrated in the scene where Snape tells Hermione she's is an insufferable know it all. In the books, Ron stands up for Hermione and gets detention for it. While in the movies, he agrees with Snape. Which is a rather bizarre change, if you ask us.
LESS FOCUS ON THE FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN HARRY AND RON
The friendships between the trio are all unique and different. Harry and Hermione have a strong friendship, and she helps him out a lot. However, Ron and Harry’s friendship is often more of the main focus in the books.
These two are definitely best friends. In some of the later movies, the relationship between Harry and Hermione is given a lot more attention than Harry’s friendship with Ron. Which is something that we truly missed out on, in the films.
HIS IMPORTANCE AS THE WINDOW INTO THE WIZARDING WORLD IS DOWNPLAYED
One of the biggest things Ron does for Harry and Hermione is to offer a lot of insight into how the wizarding world works. While Hermione might have a lot of book knowledge, and Harry has little awareness at all, Ron knows what it’s like to be raised in the world.
He provides a lot of knowledge about the culture and society of the wizarding world. This is very apparent in the books, but it’s a hard point to get across on film.
HE WAS MORE CARING THAN HE WAS IN THE MOVIE
Ron is definitely not the most tactful character in either version. He can be way too blunt and insensitive, and he isn’t known for his emotional intelligence. However, in the books, there are more instances of seeing his softer side. Underneath it all, he does have a very good heart; even if he doesn't always show it in the best way.
He does small things like offering to make tea when people are upset and studying hard to help Hagrid with the trial against Buckbeak. Some of these details aren’t in the movie.
HE WAS MORE PRACTICAL
There was something about Ron's grounded nature that placed him as an important anchor and support to both Harry and Hermione. Hermione was very book smart and focused on learning; but could be easily carried away by her own emotions.
Harry could be rather preoccupied and lacked a lot of common sense. Ron, on the other hand, had the ability to ground the two of them and get them out of their own heads by his simplistic view of the world. This isn’t a bad thing at all. In fact, it was the balance that was needed in their group.
RON WAS LESS HELPLESS IN THE BOOKS
A lot of book moments, where Ron showed his brave, courageous, and strong nature were either cut from the films entirely or given to Hermione.
One big example is at the end of Prisoner of Azkaban when Ron stands up, on his broken leg no less, and says Sirius will have to kill all of them to get to Harry. In the books, this scene is given to Hermione. It’s a shame because Ron is often extremely loyal and willing to put his life on the line for his friends; but we rarely got to see this.
HIS RELATIONSHIPS WITH HIS FAMILY MEMBERS AREN’T AS FOCUSED ON AS MUCH
This change is fairly understandable as movies just don’t have the time to explore every small detail and relationship. However, in the books, we can see more of how Ron feels about and relates to his family.
While it’s clear that he sometimes feels frustrated or unseen in his large family, we also see that he loves them and that they love him. We get to see him interact a lot more with his siblings at school, too.