For the month of December 2007

December 30th, 2007

Room of Requirement Door Open at JKR's Web Site!

JKRowling.com's "Room of Requirement" door is now open, revealing the map of the future generations of Harry Potter characters. Jo drew this chart while being filmed for the documentary, "JK Rowling, A Year in the Life", which will be airing on British ITV. You can access the RoR by clicking the eraser on her main desk and then clicking the handle on the door.

Deathly Hallows USA Today Book of the Year

From WizardNews.com and HPANA:
USA Today has named Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows as "Book of the Year" stating that is due because "Rowling gave her story an ending that was as graceful, unpredictable and satisfying as the series itself." Deathly Hallows sold a record-breaking 11.5 million copies in the USA during its first 10 days on sale in July.

J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter rank high at AbeBooks

From WizardNews.com:
Over the past year AbeBooks.com, the world's largest online marketplace for books, has tracked the bestselling and most expensive books sold on their site for a couple of different categories. J.K. Rowling took the title of bestselling author, beating out Shakespeare, and two of her books (Deathly Hallows and Sorcerer's Stone) made the top 5 overall bestsellers.

Harry Potter tops book and DVD charts in the UK

From WizardNews.com:
Harry Potter dominated both the 2007 book and DVD best-sellers lists released by Amazon.co.uk. The 7th and final book in author JK Rowling's series about the young wizard sold more units via the online retailer than any other product. It was followed in 2nd place in the Amazon chart by the DVD of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

Richard Griffiths and Julie Walters awarded British honors

From WizardNews.com:
Last Friday, Richard Griffiths was awarded an OBE (Orders of the British Empire) for services to drama. Also on Friday, Julie Walters was made a CBE (Commander of the British Empire) for her services to drama.

'Potter' comic in 'Mother Goose & Grimm'

From HarryPotterFanZone.com:
Harry Potter is the subject of Monday's Mother Goose and Grimm comic strip. The rather amusing comic focuses around the Christmas wish of many Potter fans - an 8th book. Check it out by clicking here.

December 24th, 2007

J.K. says she's tempted to write eighth Potter novel

From WizardNews.com:
J.K. Rowling has given hope to millions of Harry Potter fans by hinting of plans to add an 8th book to the boy wizard franchise, although the story may not be built around the title character. She says, "There have been times since finishing, some weak moments, when I've said, 'Yeah, all right', to an 8th novel."

J.K. Rowling discusses 'Beedle the Bard' and more

From HarryPotterFanZone.com:
J.K. Rowling has updated her official website today with a new news entry, FAQ answer and fan site award. Jo discusses The Tales of Beedle the Bard and reacts to the auction at which it fetched a whopping £1,950,000. In the FAQ section, Jo briefly comments on the upcoming encyclopedia. She also added a new fan site award, given to one of our own OPA friends, The HP Alliance.

Colin Creevey awards Potter prizes at his school

From WizardNews.com:
The Harry Potter Competition, also known as "Potty about Potter", at the Pilgrims School in Winchester, England, reached its conclusion when the prizes were awarded by Hugh Mitchell, the actor who plays Colin Creevy in the Harry Potter films. Hugh was a pupil at The Pilgrims' School when he attended an audition that landed him the role.

Bands 10 and 11 of Wrockstock

From WizardRock.org:
The 10th and 11th bands have been announced for Wrockstock 2008 and they are Hogwarts, A History and Gred and Forge respectively. In other news, the 10th episode of the Podcast of Awesome has been released.

December 20th, 2007

More Half-Blood Prince film casting revealed

From WizardNews.com and HarryPotterFanZone.com:
CBBC Newsround revealed today the names of more actors chosen to star in The Half-Blood Prince. Cormac McLaggen, the wannabe Gryffindor Keeper who Hermione uses to try and make Ron jealous, will be played by Freddie Stroma. Meanwhile, 18-year-old Louis Cordice will play Blaise Zabini, a Slytherin student who dislikes muggle borns. Gryffindor chaser Katie Bell will be played by Georgina Leonidas, while her friend Leanne will be played by Isabella Laughland. Romilda Vane will be played by Anna Shaffer, while Robert Knox will play Marcus Belby. In November, Jessie Cave was announced as the actress who would play the role of Lavender Brown. The new cast will begin filming early next year.

JKR ranked third for Time Person of the Year

From HarryPotterFanZone.com:
Despite high support from fans, J.K. Rowling has been ranked as a runner-up by Time for their Person of the Year. Rowling came in at the number three spot. The list was topped by Russian president Vladimir Putin. You can read what Time said about Rowling by clicking here.

Patrick Doyle talks scoring Potter

From HarryPotterFanZone.com:
In an interview with Rotten Tomatoes, composer Patrick Doyle talks about scoring Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Doyle talks about following in the footsteps of composer John Williams, and the process involved with scoring the fourth Harry Potter film. Read it here.

December 19th, 2007

Amazon reviews final Beedle tale

From HarryPotterFanZone.com:
Amazon has reviewed the final fairytale from J.K. Rowling's The Tales of Beedle the Bard titled "The Tale of the Three Brothers" - the tale that was crucial in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. You can read the review by clicking here.

Lucius Malfoy on Forbes rich list

From HarryPotterFanZone.com:
Forbes has released their annual listing of the fifteen richest fictional characters. Lucius Malfoy features on this year's list at the number fourteen spot with an estimated net worth of $1.6 billion.

Alan Rickman won't spill the beans on Snape

From WizardNews.com:
When MTV caught up with Alan Rickman in London for Sweeney Todd, they asked what he thought of what's finally revealed about Snape in Deathly Hallows, and he refused to answer. "There may have been people who have not read that book," he insisted. "I won't talk about it just in case somebody flips some channel, some computer screen, and they haven't got that far."

Daniel Radcliffe spends $4 million Manhattan penthouse

From WizardNews.com:
Dan Radcliffe has dipped into impressive fortune to secure a $4 million Manhattan penthouse in New York's trendy SoHo district. It's a notable purchase for Radcliffe, who has so far preferred to spend his $46 million fortune on books and CDs.

What, More Wrockstock News?!

From WizardRock.org:
That's right, the 9th band has been announced. Head on over to Ginny and the Heartbreakers' myspace page to congratulate them on being the 9th band announced. Here's the list so far: Ginny and the Heartbreakers, Justin Finch-Fletchley and the Sugar Quills, Tom Riddle and Friends, Quaffle Kids, Catchlove, The Remus Lupins, The Whomping Willows, and Draco and the Malfoys.

December 17th, 2007

Newsweek awards Deathly Hallows Best Book of 2007

From HarryPotterFanZone.com:
Newsweek has revealed its list of the top fifteen books of 2007. The magazine gave Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows the top spot.

Official WB Description of "Half-Blood Prince" Film
HBP Film

From LeakyCauldron.org:
In addition to the first official photo from the upcoming Half-Blood Prince movie, Warner Bros has also released their official description of the 6th film, which states, "Fantasy Adventure. Voldemort is tightening his grip on both the Muggle and wizarding worlds and Hogwarts is no longer the safe haven it once was. Harry suspects that dangers may even lie within the castle, but Dumbledore is more intent upon preparing him for the final battle that he knows is fast approaching. Together they work to find the key to unlock Voldemort's defenses and, to this end, Dumbledore recruits his old friend and colleague, the well-connected and unsuspecting bon vivant Professor Horace Slughorn, whom he believes holds crucial information. Meanwhile, the students are under attack from a very different adversary as teenage hormones rage across the ramparts. Harry finds himself more and more drawn to Ginny, but so is Dean Thomas. And Lavender Brown has decided that Ron is the one for her, only she hadn't counted on Romilda Vane's chocolates! And then there's Hermione, simpering with jealously but determined not to show her feelings. As romance blossoms, one student remains aloof. He is determined to make his mark, albeit a dark one. Love is in the air, but tragedy lies ahead and Hogwarts may never be the same again."

December 16th, 2007

First Look: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

From WizardNews.com:
Warner Bros released the first official production photo from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the 6th Harry Potter movie currently being filmed in England. The picture is Harry in muggle clothes, carrying what appears to be a school book and the marauder's map. You can view the pic here.

More on Amazon and the Beedle

From WizardNews.com and HarryPotterFanZone.com:
Online book dealer Amazon confirmed London art agents Hazlitt, Gooden and Fox bought a rare J.K. Rowling volume for $4 million on Amazon's behalf. Amazon, which said it doesn't intend to sell the book, is looking into how to share the collection of five fairy tales with fans without violating copyright rules, the Times of London said. Amazon has posted reviews of 4 of the 5 tales which can be viewed here (The Wizard and the Hopping Pot), here (The Fountain of Fair Fortune), here (The Warlock's Hairy Heart), and here.

J.K. Rowling nominated for Great Briton Award

From HarryPotterFanZone.com:
J.K. Rowling has been nominated at the Morgan Stanley Great Briton awards under the category of "Arts". Jo is nominated alongside artist Damien Hirst and actor Sir Ian McKellen. The awards recognize key figures of the past year, as nominated by the British public.

More on Wrockstock

From WizardRock.org:
On the sixth day of Wrockstock announcements my true love gave to me Tom Riddle and Friends, The Quaffle Kids, the awesome band called Catchlove, all three Remus Lupins, The Whomping Willows, and Draco and the Malfoys in a pear tree!

December 14th, 2007

J.K. Rowling manuscript fetches £1.95 million

From WizardNews.com and HarryPotterFanZone.com:
A hand-written and illustrated tale of wizardry by Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling fetched £1.95 million ($3.98 million), nearly 40 times its expected price, at auction on Thursday. The Tales of Beedle the Bard had been expected to go for up to £50,000 at the sale by Sotheby's in London. It has been revealed that Amazon.com was the purchaser of the book. J.K. Rowling was stunned by the staggering price it fetched. J.K. watched the auction live on the internet. When the book sold sold for £1,950,000, she said, "I'm stunned and ecstatic. This will mean so much to the children desperately in need of help. It means Christmas has come early for me."

Deathly Hallows hits the shelves in Bulgaria

From WizardNews.com:
The last book of the Harry Potter series, which is expected to break all sales records so far, was released in Bulgaria on Thursday. Fervent fans of the magician are already able to buy Book 7 at the price of BGN29,90 and the English-language edition of the book is expected to become a best seller in Bulgaria, according to Helikon bookstores.

Potter stars earn Golden Globe nominations

From HarryPotterFanZone.com:
Four Harry Potter cast members earned nominations at the 2008 Golden Globe awards. Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix Lestrange), Jim Broadbent (Horace Slughorn), Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy) and Julie Christie (Madame Rosmerta) all received award consideration.

Here Comes Band Number Four

From WizardRock.org:
That's right, the fourth band to be announced by the Wrockstock crew is Catchlove!

December 13th, 2007

Robert Pattinson cast in new teen-vampire thriller

From WizardNews.com:
Robert Pattinson, who played Cedric Diggory in the Harry Potter movies, has been cast in the teen-vampire thriller Twilight, based on Stephanie Meyer's young-adult novel. Robert will play Edward, a teenaged vampire who falls for a non-vampire high school classmate. Pattinson has also been cast as Salvador Dali in the upcoming Little Ashes.

Behind-the-scenes look at the Ministry of Magic

From HarryPotterFanZone.com:
There�s a very detailed behind-the-scenes look at the Ministry of Magic online over at Video Detective. In the clip, director David Yates and production designer Stuart Craig talk about the inspiration for the set, construction and filming. You can check out the video by clicking here.

Step-dad Guy Ritchie says Lourdes not cast in Potter movie

From WizardNews.com:
Recent reports that Guy Ritchie's step-daughter, Lourdes Maria Ciccone Leon, daughter of Madonna, is set to have a cameo in "Half-Blood Prince" as a student at Hogwarts are untrue, insisted Ritchie, who told MTV News that the eleven-year-old will remain a Muggle.

The Third Band of Wrockstock

From WizardRock.org:
The third band of Wrockstock is none other than The Remus Lupins. Toby and Tyler join Alex for another round of wrocking good fun at Wrockstock 2008. If you're keeping track that means The Remus Lupins, The Whomping Willows, and Draco and the Malfoys are attending.

December 12th, 2007

Cho and Luna react to Deathly Hallows epilogue

From WizardNews.com:
For Luna Lovegood and Cho Chang, or at least, the actresses who play them, they're quite happy with their happily-ever-afters. "We do know what happens with Luna," Evanna Lynch said. "She marries Rolf Scamander, the grandson of Newt Scamander and becomes a famous naturalist. I can't do better than that." "I'm hoping Cho is like Luna, and happily married with kids," Katie Leung said.

Potter stars talk Half-Blood Prince with MTV

From HarryPotterFanZone.com:
Dan Radcliffe, Evanna Lynch, Katie Leung, Bonnie Wright and director David Yates recently shared some thoughts on Half-Blood Prince with MTV. In the interview, the group discuss casting, humour and relationships. Dan comments on the humour in the film, noting, "If we pull it off, it should be the funniest of the films so far." Evanna Lynch comments on Frank Dillane, the actor cast to portray 16-year-old Tom Riddle, saying, "I saw him, but to go up and say, 'Hi'? He's Voldemort!" On relationships in the film, David Yates notes, "It's the 'American Graffiti' for this set." On Ginny's relationship with Harry, Bonnie Wright says, "I suppose our relationship lasts longer than Cho and Harry, but remember, at the end of Book 6, Harry and I can't be together." Finally, Katie Leung comments on Cho's failed relationship with Harry. She says, "There's still a slight jealousy there with Ginny to be resolved. I'm glad she's there fighting for the good side even though her relationship with Harry didn't work out in the end."

Second Wrockstock Band Announced

From WizardRock.org:
First Whompy releases a new song, and myspace page for his side project, and now he's the second band to be announced for Wrockstock! That's right folks, you'll be able to wrock out with your trunk out with the Whomping Willows at Wrockstock 2008. The previous band announced was Draco and the Malfoys. It's shaping up to be a pretty awesome event!

December 11th, 2007

Deathly Hallows paperback to be released July 5, 2008

From HarryPotterFanZone.com:
Bloomsbury has released that the 7th Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, will be published in paperback on July 5, 2008. The book will be published with 2 covers - the children's jacket and the adult jacket, and will cost £8.99. It will be printed on 100% Ancient-Forest Friendly paper.

J.K. gives fairy tale reading before Beedle The Bard auction

From WizardNews.com:
J.K. Rowling gave a reading of fairytales mentioned in the final Harry Potter novel at a reception at Sotheby's auction house in London, before they are auctioned to raise money for a children's charity. Rowling has hand-written and illustrated just 7 copies of the Tales Of Beedle The Bard, which will not be published.

New interview with Evanna Lynch

From HarryPotterFanZone.com:
A new interview with Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood) has surfaced online over at the Winnipeg Sun. In the interview, Lynch talks about meeting Jo Rowling, being a Harry Potter fan, and life on set. You can read the full interview here.

30 new hi-res studio promos from OOTP

From Veritaserum.com:
Thanks to Oclumencia.com.br for finding 30 new hi-resolution studio photos of various characters in Order of the Phoenix, including Sirius Black, Ginny Weasley, Luna Lovegood, Dolores Umbridge, Sybill Trelawney, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Nymphadora Tonks, Severus Snape, Ron Weasley, Fred and George Weasley, Bellatrix Lestrange, Cho Chang, Mad-Eye Moody, and Draco and Lucius Malfoy. These photos can be seen here.

Wrockstock Band Announced

From WizardRock.org:
Keep an eye out, because every day for the next twelve days the bands performing at Wrockstock 2008 will be announced. So, who is the first of many amazing bands to be announced? Why if it isn't everyones' favorite Slytherins... Draco and the Malfoys!

December 10th, 2007

David Heyman: Harry Potter Films Reflect "Issues of Loyalty and Trust and Friendship"

From LeakyCauldron.org:
The popularity of fantasy films at the box office is the subject of a new article in the LA Times, and mentions the impact and influence of such films as the Harry Potter series. Producer David Heyman is among those interviewed and he notes that while there is a fantasy element in the movies, the themes often relate to real world issues. "Fairy-tale endings aside, the fantasy world is not always a pleasant place. The best fantasy films reflect what is going on today. I think the Potter films reflect, in some form, issues of loyalty and trust and friendship, and of propaganda and misinformation and people not being prepared to see what is before them, wanting to see only what they want to see." The article continues to describe how the success of the Harry Potter series broke through previously held conceptions by the studios, and showed how American audiences would react to fantasy films with a non American cast. "Harry Potter came along and all those cultural or geographical lines were broken."

Update: Special OOTP DVD packages from Target, more

From HarryPotterFanZone.com:
According to their respective Sunday ads, Target, Best Buy and Wal-Mart will be releasing special Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix DVD packages in the US on Tuesday. Target's "Deluxe Edition" ($24.99) will include a digital download of the movie, an exclusive 3D cover (left), and a bonus disc dubbed "Building the Magic". Best Buy's "2-Disc Special Edition With Collectible Mask" ($34.99) will contain just that: a collectible Death Eater Mask. Finally, Wal-Mart's "2-Pack Gift Set" ($19.96) will consist of three metal bookmarks - a snitch, broom and globe.

Deathly Hallows Italian Cover Art Revealed; Translations Published In Israel, Norway

From LeakyCauldron.org:
The Italian Publishers of the Harry Potter novels, Salani Editore, have revealed the cover art for their edition of the seventh book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. You can view the cover art for this edition here.

December 9th, 2007

Barbara Walters names J.K. Rowling year's most fascinating person

From WizardNews.com:
J.K. Rowling has been crowned the year's most "fascinating" person on the annual 10 Most Fascinating People list presented by Barbara Walters, who said Rowling deserved to top the list because of the entertainment her books had brought to millions, and "Like her Harry Potter series her life has been a dark yet wondrous fairy tale."

WFTV Awards

From WizardNews.com and HPANA.com:
J.K. Rowling was among those honored at the U.K.'s 17th Women in Film and Television Awards, awarded over lunch at London's Hilton, Park Lane. Rowling received the U.K. Film Council-backed script award, which recognizes the contribution of women in the U.K. film and TV industries. Evanna Lynch and Emma Thompson also attended the awards ceremony. Other attendees included Simon Cowell, Bob Hoskins, Rosamund Pike and Catherine Tate.

J.K. Updates Her Official Site

From WizardNews.com:
Thursday, on her official web site, J.K. Rowling revealed that for the last 12 months she has been filmed for a documentary which follows my life over the last year of writing Harry Potter and includes footage of me working on Deathly Hallows, on tour, at the launch and much more. Further, she updated her diary after a four-month absense, and talked about what she's been doing since the final book came out, how she felt as the story ended, and thanked fans for their support.

Potter stars nominated for Theatregoers' Choice Awards

From HPANA.com:
The Theatregoers' Choice nominees for 2007 were announced today and Daniel Radcliffe, from the Harry Potter movies, is up for the "Dewynters Award for London Newcomer of the Year" for Equus, while fellow actor Fiona Shaw was nominated for "Best Solo Performance" for her role in Happy Days.

"The Harry Potter Kids" documentary to air on the Biography channel in U.S.

From HPANA.com:
The U.S. channel, Biography, will air a special documentary called "The Harry Potter Kids" which will profile actors Dan Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson from the movies later this month.

December 7th, 2007

Jim Dale nominated for a Grammy

From HPANA.com:
The 50th annual Grammy award nominations were announced earlier today and Jim Dale, the voice actor for the US Harry Potter audiobooks, has been nominated for an award for his work on Deathly Hallows, under the category of "Best Spoken Word Album For Children".

Rowling & Stephen Fry attend British Comedy Awards

From HPANA.com:
Last night in London, Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling presented Stephen Fry, the voice behind the British audio books, the British Comedy Lifetime Achievement award, at the annual British Comedy Awards show.

Dan Radcliffe is world's top-earning young male actor

From WizardNews.com:
Daniel Radcliffe is apparently the world's top-earning young male actor. According to Forbes.com's 20 Under 25: The Top-Earning Young Superstars, the British star, who is most famous for playing Harry Potter, earned 15 million dollars, more than performers twice his age. The Harry Potter franchise also turned his co-stars Emma Watson and Rupert Grint into instant millionaires.

Emma Watson among guests at exclusive Chanel dinner

From WizardNews.com:
Not many A-levels students receive an invite to an ultra exclusive dinner hosted by fashion maestro Karl Lagerfeld, but then again Emma Watson isn't your average schoolgirl. The 17-year-old actress, who recently appeared at number 15 in Forbes magazine's list of top earning celebs under 25, has become something of a Chanel ambassador of late.

Empire Names 100 Sexiest Movie Stars

From LeakyCauldron.org:
Empire Magazine has just released their list of the 100 Sexiest Movie Stars, and a number of actors from the Harry Potter films have been named. Joining the ranks of good looking actors from past, Harry Potter actors Alan Rickman (Professor Snape), Gary Oldman (Sirius Black), Emma Watson (Hermione Granger), and Dan Radcliffe (Harry Potter) were chosen by voters to be included on the list. Empire says about Alan Rickman, who came in at 83 on the list, that no one does bad better than he. "It's the voice that does it, that and a commanding screen presence. Such is his ability to give good evil that he even makes the oily Professor Severus Snape somehow attractive." Following at number 72, Gary Oldman, while Emma Watson comes in at 26 with the note, "She's grown up well through the Harry Potter movies from bushy haired child to confident, elegant young woman." Dan Radcliffe, who placed at number 23, is said to have developed into a confident and fine-looking young actor. Radcliffe's future looks very bright indeed.

December 6th, 2007

Potter stars sign for run of Equus on Broadway

From WizardNews.com:
Daniel Radcliffe and Tony winner Richard Griffiths have inked a deal for the Broadway production of Equus, which will open next fall. To sign on for the New York production, Radcliffe had to stand up to Warner Brothers. who wanted the actor to make the final two Harry Potter movies back-to-back movies. Radcliffe balked, saying he wanted a break between movies to do Broadway, sources say.

Emma Watson is In Style

From WizardNews.com:
Harry Potter actress Emma Watson is being featured in the January issue of In Style magazine. In the article, on the photo shoot outfits, Emma said, "I love the clothes and that there's so much colour. I wish I could dress like this every day of my life." Emma shunned the services of a stylist, saying, "Getting someone else to choose things takes the fun out of it."

Signed copy of Deathly Hallows to be auctioned for charity

From WizardNews.com:
A signed copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is among the items in an AbeBooks.com's online charity auction taking place between December 6 and 11. Earlier this year, AbeBooks.com sold a signed copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows for $5,500.

Potter stars included on Empire's '100 Sexiest Movie Stars' list

From HPANA.com:
British magazine Empire just posted their annual '100 Sexiest Movie Stars' list online and it includes Harry Potter actors Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Gary Oldman and Alan Rickman.

"Lord of the Rings" Tops "Harry Potter" in New Book to Film Poll

From LeakyCauldron.org:
There was yet another poll released in the UK asking people to vote for their favorite film adaptation of a beloved book series. The winner of the poll was Peter Jackson's adaptation of The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien, with the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling coming in second place. This poll was sponsored by Lovefilm.com who asked 1,000 members to vote, with the website noting "It's hard to recreate the magic of the page on the big screen but every title listed here has managed to do just that."

December 5th, 2007

Construction officially underway on Harry Potter World

From WizardNews.com:
It's perhaps the most eagerly anticipated addition to Orlando's assortment of rides, shows and attractions in more than a decade: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which is slated to open at Universal Studios' Islands of Adventure in 2009, and construction walls have been popping up all over the Lost Continent section of that theme park over the past three weeks.

Tim Roth desperate to appear in Harry Potter

From WizardNews.com:
British actor Tim Roth says he is desperate to appear in the final two Harry Potter films, despite turning down a role in the boy wizard franchise 6 years ago. The Reservoir Dogs star was offered the part of Severus Snape in the movie adaptations of the book, but passed up the role which was eventually given to Alan Rickman.

Sectus 2009 to take place in British castle

From WizardNews.com:
Following on the success of Sectus 2007 in London, Sectus 2009, a four-day Harry Potter convention for adults has now been announced. Set in a magnificent Grade II listed castle in Britain, this will be a unique event, combining a formal conference with a celebration of one of the best-loved fantasy series of all time.

Emma Thompson and Imelda Staunton attend charity event

From HPANA.com:
Emma Thompson and Imelda Staunton from the "Harry Potter" movies attended the Helen Bamber Foundation charity event earlier this week.

JKR Speaks of Multiple Sclerosis in "Your Total Health" Feature

From LeakyCauldron.org:
The nationally syndicated morning program "Your Total Health" featured a segment on this past weekend's show discussing the subject of Multiple Sclerosis, which included comments from author J.K. Rowling. This video features clips of Jo speaking on that subject, her efforts to raise awareness of MS, and of her 17 year journey with Harry Potter. You can view this segment via YouTube.

Air Date of Ballet Shoes Revealed

From LeakyCauldron.org:
The official Emma Watson website has now been updated to reveal the broadcast date of her new film Ballet Shoes. The movie will be aired in the UK December 26 on BBC1 at 8:30pm.

December 2nd, 2007

New BoM, FoM

It's now December and that means a new pick for the Official PA Band of the Month and MySpace Friend of the Month... Firenze and the Centaurs of the Forbidden Forest and Kelly, respectively. Check out the new BoM here in the Daily Prophet on page 3 and find a link to both our new BoM and FoM in our top friends of the Official PA MySpace page.

New "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" Poster

From LeakyCauldron.org:
Scholastic, the US publishers of the Harry Potter novels, has now updated their website with a brand new Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows poster. This poster, which you can download and print out at home via this link features various artwork by Mary GrandePre featured in Harry Potter book seven, now in color. Enjoy!

Chris Rankin Visits Voyager School in the UK for ITV Documentary

From LeakyCauldron.org:
Students of the Voyager School in the UK got a treat the other day when actor Chris Rankin (Percy Weasley) participated in a drama workshop at the school. Peterborough Today reports on the visit which will be part of a new documentary set to be broadcast on ITV1 on December 20 at 7:30pm local time. Mr. Rankin spent the afternoon with the students, acting out scenes from Sorcerer's Stone, giving tips on acting technique and answering questions on many different subjects. Chris also spoke of the event saying, "It's been really good fun. It's something I really enjoy doing because, had it not been for the drama department at my school, I would not be doing this. When I joined drama school I was really shy and quiet. But when my school put me in a production I really loved it."

Update on ITV J.K. Rowling Documentary

From LeakyCauldron.org:
A reminder that later this month, UK channel ITV will be broadcasting an exclusive documentary on author J.K. Rowling as she completed Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. As reported by The Scotsman and The Telegraph, "the cameras follow the Deathly Hallows manuscript's journey from computer to agent and finally to the publisher. Rowling also guides viewers around her childhood home and locations featured in the Potter books."

Alan Rickman Donates Autographed Script Pages, More for Charity Auction

From LeakyCauldron.org:
Actor Alan Rickman has donated a few items he has gathered from his role as Professor Severus Snape to a charity auction. Included in the auction are Alan Rickman's original cast and crew Hogwarts/Quidditch shirt, two pages of his working script sides from Goblet of Fire, and headshot photos of the actor. Both the script pages and the photo are autographed by Mr.Rickman. The auction is for ANSA, or Artists for a New South Africa which support programs to help AIDS orphans in Africa. You can find out more and bid here via Charity Folks. This auction runs until December 14.

Katie Leung Joins "Poirot" Cast In Upcoming ITV1 Program

From LeakyCauldron.org:
Actress Katie Leung is taking on a new role in an episode of the long running British television drama Poirot. The Sunday Mail is reporting that Miss Leung is set to film an episode entitled "Cat Amongst The Pigeons", an adaptation of one of Agatha Christie's Poirot mystery novels. According to the article, Katie will be playing Hsui Tai, a pupil at a private all-girls school who helps the legendary sleuth solve a murder at the school and the mystery of a kidnapped Middle Eastern princess' for the drama set to be broadcast on ITV1 next year.