For the month of February 2008
February 24th, 2008
Study concludes Harry Potter is addictive
From Veritaserum.com:
A study conducted by researchers at Pennsylvania's Muhlenberg College has concluded that, for 10% of fans, Harry Potter is "addictive." Professor Dr. Jeffrey Rudski "used craving scales established for smoking, substituting Deathly Hallows for cigarettes". The 10 percent of respondents that Rudski considers addicted described spending more than 4 hours a day on Potter-related activities, experiencing interference with appetite and sleep patterns, engaging in less physical activity, having a lower sense of well-being and being more irritable after completing the series."
Rumor: Yates to direct final HP film
From WizardNews.com:
Could it be that David Yates, who shot Order of the Phoenix and is in the middle of Half-Blood Prince, will be the last director to leave his mark on the Harry Potter films? Children's writer Lois Lowry thinks so. As she wrote on her blog Tuesday, she told her fans that Yates had pulled out of shooting an adaptation of her book The Giver so he could do Deathly Hallows instead.
Confirmed new scene for Half-Blood Prince
From HPANA.com and Veritaserum.com:
With filming currently ongoing for the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince movie, producer David Barron has confirmed that there will be a new scene added to the movie featuring the Burrow that did not appear in the book. Barron offered some details saying, "Jo was able throughout the quite lengthy book to keep dropping little snippets of what was happening in the outside world - The book is peppered with those moments, but we couldn't do that quite so easily in the film. So the extra scene comes in the middle of the film and it just reminds us the world is no longer a safe place. Even in what would normally be considered the safe haven of the Burrow, nobody's safe. I think you'll like it. It's quite effective."
Dan Radcliffe attends Theatregoers' Choice awards
From HPANA.com:
Earlier today, Daniel Radcliffe attended the Theatregoers' Choice awards in London where he received two awards for Equus.
Dan and Emma have secret Valentines date
From WizardNews.com:
Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson have sparked romance rumours after they spent Valentine's Day evening together. The single pair decided to spend the evening together at the Imperial Arms pub in Fulham, West London, near Dan's home. An onlooker said, "Throughout the night, Dan just kept giggling like a love-struck teen."
February 20th, 2008
EW's Favorite Fictional Lovers
From LeakyCauldron.org:
With Valentine's day just past, Entertainment Weekly released a list of Pop Culture's Best Couples, a ranking of 26 of our favorite fictional lovers. The fictional pairing of Ron and Hermione are included at #8, which says, "Jealousy, betrayal, love potions: That's teen wizard romance for ya. Harry Potter's best friends didn't officially become a couple until Deathly Hallows but their love/hate relationship turned soap opera in Goblet of Fire. At times they've been controversial, but that's as risque as this teen duo gets." Also on the list, Superman and Lois Lane, Ricky and Lucy Ricardo, and Ross and Rachel.
Toy Fair 2008
From LeakyCauldron.org:
Toy Fair 08 is currently underway in New York City, where manufacturers preview their new products for the upcoming year, and on display are a few new Harry Potter items. Gentle Giant revealed a Fred and George Weasley mini-bust 2-pack and a rather alarming Remus Lupin "werewolf variant mini-bust". They are also offering the Tri-Wizard Champions set, featuring Cedric Diggory, Victor Krum, Fleur and Harry Potter. These items will be limited in availability. Others due to be released soon include the Tonks, McGonagall and Lupin (non-werewolf state).
Wrockstock 2008 Registration Open
Tickets to Wrockstock 2008, a weekend full of wrock held Memorial Day weekend, are now available. Wrockstock is a fund raising event to help benefit the Harry Potter Alliance and will be held at the YMCA Trout Lodge in Potosi, MO. The cost is $100 for adults, $75 for teens 14-17 yrs. old, and $25 for children 4-13 yrs. old. Space is limited to 500 fans. For more information about the bands due to perform, lodging and registration, click the link in our HP Conferences section right here on the front page.
OotP nominated for Saturn Awards
From HPANA.com:
The Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror films has announced the nominations for the 34th Annual Saturn Awards and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix has received 9 nominations.
Harry Potter collection goes to auction
From WizardNews.com:
A Harry Potter fan who has collected 553 first editions of J.K. Rowling's wizard works plans to auction them off in London. Tim Toone began collecting a copy of every version of Rowling's works in October 2002, spending up to $8,800 on a single book. His collection, which spans 63 languages, was given a preliminary value of about $78,000.
February 17th, 2008
Half-Blood Prince Casting?
From HPANA.com:
Various reports have appeared online stating that the role of Fenrir Greyback will be portrayed in Half-Blood Prince by martial artist Dave Legeno (pictured here), while Ralph Ineson will be playing Amycus Carrow.
No Fleur Delacour for 'HBP'
From HPANA.com:
According to Clemence Poesy in her interview with MTV news, her character Fleur Delacour will not be making an appearance in Half-Blood Prince, which is currently being filmed in the UK.
Wrocking the Alley
From WizardRock.org:
Thursday, February 21st, Tonks! and The Hermione Crookshanks Experience will be playing at Whimsic Alley. The show starts at 4:30pm and is FREE! Whimsic Alley is located at 2717 1/2 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica, CA. If you have any questions, email Erin@WhimsicAlley.com.
Emma denying recent media reports
From HPANA.com:
Earlier this week, Emma Watson attended the Burberry & Vanity Fair Portraits party in London and has updated her website denying recent news that she is dating Razorlight member Johnny Borrell.
J.K. Rowling receives award and refuses to close the door on Harry Potter
From WizardNews.com and HPANA.com:
J.K. Rowling gave a glimmer of hope to the millions of fans of the phenomenally successful books when she attended the Literary and Historical Society at University College Dublin to receive the James Joyce award. At the event J.K. read a chapter from Deathly Hallows and answered questions from college students. While speaking to the rapturous audience, J.K. said she would "never say never" to another in the series.
Dan trashes Spielberg rumors
From WizardNews.com:
Daniel Radcliffe insists rumours Steven Spielberg is to direct the 7th Harry Potter film are "absolute rubbish". Speaking on the red carpet at the Bafta awards ceremony in London, he said, "It's absolute rubbish that Spielberg is directing the final film. It's not true. There's absolutely no foundation in that at all."
Jason Isaacs on a Return to Harry Potter
From WizardNews.com:
Jason Isaacs told Rotten Tomatoes at the BAFTA awards in London that he was disappointed not to have returned as Lucius Malfoy in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. "It's a source of great embitterment in the Isaacs household," he joked with RT, "but he's in Azkaban so what can you do?"
February 14th, 2008
February 11th, 2008
Jim Dale wins Grammy for Deathly Hallows
From HPANA.com:
Sunday night, the 50th annual Grammy Awards were held and Jim Dale won in the category of "Best Spoken Word Album for Children" for his work on the U.S. audiobook version of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Congratulations Jim!
Radcliffe & Isaacs attend BAFTA's
From HPANA.com:
Also on Sunday evening, the BAFTA's took place in London with Daniel Radcliffe and Jason Isaacs in attendance. Sadly, Order of the Phoenix did not receive any awards, even though it had been nominated in 2 categories. Pictures from the awards show are now online.
JKR to receive James Joyce award
From HPANA.com:
On Tuesday, February 12th, J.K. Rowling will receive the James Joyce Award from the Literary and Historical Society at University College Dublin.
February 10th, 2008
Photos, reports from Gloucester filming
From Veritaserum.com:
Several reports and batches of photos have emerged online from Thursday's and Friday's Half-Blood Prince filming at Gloucester Cathedral in England. Among those on set were Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, and Tom Felton, along with 170 students from a local school who will participate as extras. Reports can be read at This is Gloucestershire, and photos can be seen at Potterish and UniversHP.
Wizards, Witches and Pancakes: A Wizard Rock/Filk Event
From WizardRock.org:
Save the date! The IHOP in Bloomfield, NJ will be hosting Wizards, Witches and Pancakes: A Wizard Rock/Filk Event on March 3rd, from 6-9 PM. The cost is $6 for adults, $5 for children 5 and up, and free for children under 5, although there's a dollar off admission if you come in costume. All proceeds from the event will go to the HP Alliance. Guests include Swish and Flick, Nagini, Snidget, the Expeliarmusses, The Gringotts Girls, Mary and the GrandPres, and Snape44.
Wrock Special Report
From Marisha:
There will be a Hallows & Horcruxes Ball on March 8th at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas. All proceeds will be donated to First Book, whose mission is "to give children from low-income families the opportunity to read and own their 1st new books." Performing are: The Remus Lupins, Ministry of Magic, The Parselmouths, The Moaning Myrtles, The Mudbloods, and Ginny and the Heartbreakers. This event is hosted by the K-State Children's and Adolescent Literature Community, the K-State Department of English, and others. For more details go HERE.
Ralph Fiennes says he thinks a lot about directing
From WizardNews.com:
Ralph Fiennes is starring in the new film In Bruges, which also features Brendan Gleeson. In a new interview, Fiennes says, "I realize now that I'm very interested in choices directors make. I think about directing a lot."
Gary Oldman haunting supernatural thriller
From WizardNews.com:
Gary Oldman is in negotiations to star in a Holocaust-themed supernatural thriller from David S. Goyer, the filmmaker behind the Blade movies. The untitled project follows a 19-year-old girl (Odette Yustman) who is haunted. Oldman would play the spiritual specialist who helps the girl.
Harry Potter book series nominated for Kids Choice award
From WizardNews.com:
The nominations have been announced for the Nickelodeon cable network's 21st annual Kids Choice Awards. The Harry Potter series has been nominated in the Best Book category. The awards will be televised on March 29.
February 7th, 2008
Rowling Discusses Inspiration and More in New Interview
From LeakyCauldron.org:
J. K. Rowling is the subject of an interview which ran this past weekend in a number of Spanish language publications as part of the XLSemanal section. This interview first took place a number of months ago and features Jo speaking of her inspirations for events and characters which played heavily in the Harry Potter series, a little about her past, and candidly about her husband, Dr. Neil Murray. The entire article is not yet available, but here are some rough excerpts: Rowling denied any influence between September 11, 2001 and Harry Potter; "My model of the world after Voldemort's return was, directly, the government of Neville Chamberlain in Great Britain during the Second World War, when he tried to minimize the menace of the Nazi regime for political convenience."; "I had decided not to marry again. I have a daughter who I adore, I have success, and deep down, I am happy. My sister introduced us and I thought he was a very solid person. What I most adore about him is that, everyday, Neil knows more people that want to know if he can help them, without having to ask who he is married to."; "None of the characters of my books are based on my ex. Whatever happened in our marriage, the truth is that my ex-husband contributed 50% to one of the most beautiful things that has happened in my life, which is my eldest daughter. So, I’d never used him in a fairy tale. He's her father."
Audie Award Nomination for Jim Dale and "Deathly Hallows"
From LeakyCauldron.org:
Jim Dale has been nominated for his audio recording of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows at the 2008 Audie Awards. Recognized for his voice work in the category of "Solo Narration-Male", Jim Dale is nominated along with Edward Herrmann, David Halberstam, John Lee, Slavomir Rawicz, Jay O. Sanders, and Joseph Heller. The 2008 Audie Awards will be presented May 30th in Los Angeles, CA.
February 4th, 2008
HBP Rumor: Pansy Parkinson cast?
From HPANA.com:
According to the A & J Management website, the same agency handling actress Jessie Cave (Lavender Brown), 17 year old Scarlett Byrne has been cast in the role of Pansy Parkinson for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
The Curse Breakers - New Music, New Contest!
From the Editor:
With Valentine's Day right around the corner, Jessie of The Curse Breakers has concocted a new song in the spirit of the upcoming holiday called "Be My Dementor". The single song is free to download or you can purchase her limited edition Valentine CD from her MySpace HERE.
She will also be giving away some great stuff from her Curse Breakers Wrock Shop! If you want in on this, show your artistic side with VALENTINE'S DAY THEMED FAN ART. It doesn't matter what it is as long as it remains in the theme of the holiday. For complete details check out her bulletin HERE. As Jessie would say, "AWOOOOOOOOO!"
OOTP gets 6 nods at Empire awards
From Veritaserum.com:
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix has received 6 nominations for next month's Empire magazine awards. The movie's nominations include 'Best Picture', 'Best Actor' for Dan Radcliffe, 'Best Actress' for Emma Watson, 'Best Director', 'Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy Film', and 'Best Soundtrack'. The Empire awards ceremony will be held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on Sunday, March 9th and be hosted by comedian Rob Brydon.
Fiona Shaw to speak at Princeton today
From WizardNews.com:
Fiona Shaw, a leading Irish actress who regularly appears on the London stage, and is Aunt Petunia in the popular Harry Potter films, will present a lecture at 4:30 pm Monday, February 4th, in the Berlind Theatre on the Princeton University campus. Shaw will speak on "Shakespeare and Friends, Ibsen and Enemies."
February 2nd, 2008
February 1st, 2008
New BoM, FoM
From Marauder:
Already it's another new month, and that means that the Official PA is proud to announce another new Band of the Month and Friend of the Month. This month's Band of the Month is... Creevey Crisis, whose information can all be found on Page 3 of The Daily Prophet.
This month's Friend of the Month is... Raven Meadowes, whose page link can be found in the Kitchen of The Burrow.
Deathly Hallows Czech Translation Released
From LeakyCauldron.org:
Yesterday brought the release of yet another translated edition of Deathly Hallows, this time in the Czech Republic. Czech news source Rozhlas reported the main release event was held at the Kanzelsberger Bookshop, where hundreds of eager fans lined up starting Wednesday to get their copy at midnight. The store held an all day event for fans of all ages, which included a discussion with the Czech translator of the novels, Pavel Medek. Klara Honzikova, organizer of the event, compared it to the previous releases by saying, "I think this was the 3rd time we've done this in the bookstore. Maybe this time attendance was a little bit higher because this was the last book. I think it turned out great."
JKR named 'Morgan Stanley Great Briton of 2007'
From HPANA.com:
Last month, it was announced that J.K. Rowling was one of three nominees for this year's Morgan Stanley Great Briton 2007 awards. Rowling won the Arts category and was named the Morgan Stanley Overall Great Briton of 2007. The judges said, "Miss Rowling had transformed the world's view of Britain."
Terminus programming deadline extended
From WizardNews.com:
The planning team for Terminus, a five-day Harry Potter conference to be held August 7-11, 2008, has announced that the deadline for programming proposals has been extended to Sunday, February 3.
J.K. Rowling honoured at South Bank awards
From WizardNews.com:
J.K. Rowling has been honoured with an outstanding achievement prize at the South Bank Show awards. "I think it is the best book that I have written," she said while accepting her award. "It was my favourite story and I got to say all the things that really the books have been about all along, but I've never been able to be open about."
