The young stars will reprise their roles in Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince and Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows - the last two films in the franchise based on JK Rowling’s best-selling novels, said Jeff Robinov, the studio’s president of production.

"It would be inconceivable to imagine anyone else in the roles with which they have become so identified," Robinov said.

Radcliffe, who recently made news for his nude role in the London production of Equus, said playing Potter had been "an immense privilege".

"I feel a huge sense of loyalty to the character of Harry and the fans who have supported these films over the years," the 17-year-old said.

Watson, 16, said her character was her hero.

"I could never let Hermione go," she said. "I love her too much and love what playing her has meant to me. I’m excited and honoured to be finishing what I started and playing her in all seven of the films."

Grint, 18, added: "I’ve been so proud to play (Ron) and loved every second of being part of this world."

The fifth film in the series, Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix, is scheduled for release in the US on July 13.

Emma refuses to sign new deal? - Mar 20 2007
Harry Potter is apparently in trouble - after the actress who plays Hermione Granger refused to sign a new £4 million contract for the final two films.

It seems 16-year-old Emma Watson, who plays Harry’s swotty sidekick is fed up of being known as "the girl from Harry Potter" - and wants the chance to branch out and play other roles.

The pretty actress is also said to be worried about signing a contract that will keep her busy until she is 20, according to the Daily Express.

Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint will reprise their roles as Harry and Ron, and filming was due to start in the next few months.

But as producers still haven’t tied her down to the last two films, the schedule is in crisis, the paper reports.

Rupert said: "Emma doesn’t want to do it any more. She is tired of being known as the girl from Harry Potter.

"Daniel and I are distant from her now. We don’t text or talk to her when we are not filming."

Emma Watson is too tired for a boyfriend - Oct 21, 2020
’Harry Potter’ star Emma Watson is too tired for a boyfriend. The 15-year-old actress, who plays aspiring wizard Hermione in the hit film series, is currently filming the fourth ’Potter’ instalment, ’Goblet of Fire’, and admits the schedule is so demanding she doesn’t have time for romance.

She said: "This is my life: I live two hours from studios, in Oxford, so I get up at six in the morning and I’m gone until nine at night, and I do this for eleven months of the year. "And, if I’m not here, I’m back at school trying to catch up on all the work I’ve missed, playing on all the teams I can get myself onto, and I’m trying to see my family and friends. So boys come pretty low down the list."