Latest in Potter

'Hallows' recognized as number one by USA Today

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the seventh and final volume in the famed Harry Potter series, has been selected as "Book of the Year" by USA Today.

Proclaiming "'Harry Potter' prevails, wands down", the publication chose the novel due to its record-breaking sales figures, as well as its ending.

Rumor: Radcliffe set for new film next year

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

The New York Times is reporting that actor Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) is set to portray the role of Dan Eldon in a film about the photojournalist next year.

As of this time, there has been no official confirmation regarding Radcliffe's possible portrayal of Dan Eldon in the film. Daniel Radcliffe is currently filming Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, due out in theaters in November 2008.

Happy Holidays from Privet-Drive.com!

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

The entire Privet-Drive.com network of websites wishes you and your families a very Merry Christmas today, December 25th. Happy Holidays, everyone!

J.K. Rowling: Entertainer of the Year

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

Author J.K. Rowling has been named Entertainer of the Year by Entertainment Weekly magazine for 2007.

Jo became the first author to be named with the title. She appears on the cover of the magazine, which features the following excerpt on why Rowling was chosen:

"J.K. Rowling is our Entertainer of the Year because she did something very, very hard, and she did it very, very well, thus pleasing hundreds of millions of children and adults very, very much. In an era of videogame consoles, online multiplayer 'environments,' and tinier-is-better mobisodes, minisodes, and webisodes, she got people to tote around her big, fat old-fashioned printed-on-paper books as if they were the hottest new entertainment devices on the planet."

Happy Thanksgiving from Privet-Drive.com!

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

Today, November 22nd, Americans at home and abroad celebrate Thanksgiving Day - a day focused around family, food, and friends, as well as the official beginning of the holiday season.

Privet-Drive.com wishes you and your family a very happy and safe Thanksgiving Day! Enjoy your holiday, and be sure to eat well.

JKR joins Forbes' list of billionaires from the UK

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

Author J.K. Rowling has made Forbes Magazine's list of billionaires from the United Kingdom, becoming the only woman and author to make the list.

Jo is featured in a profile on Forbes' website, which also lists several prominent British citizens as having billionaire status.

Spanish 'Hallows' to be released February 21st

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

Spanish publisher, Salamandra, today announced that the Spanish translation of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will be available for purchase on February 21, 2008.

The Spanish translation for the novel is Harry Potter y las reliquias de la muerte.

JKR: Is she a possible candidate for 'Person of the Year'?

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

Author J.K Rowling is being touted as a possible candidate for Time Magazine's Person of the Year for 2007. Fans can vote for their choice of person on the magazine's website.

Among Jo's achievements is the completion of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the seventh and final Harry Potter novel. The author is up against several prominent and influence figures including Steve Jobs, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and Al Gore.

Helen McCrory to portray Narcissa Malfoy in HBP film

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

Actress Helen McCrory will portray the character of Narcissa Malfoy in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, CBBC Newsround has announced.

McCrory was set to play Narcissa Malfoy in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, but was unable to fulfill the role after becoming pregnant last year.

It's official: Equus coming to Broadway later next year

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

Critically-acclaimed play, Equus, will open on New York's Broadway later next year, a popular Daniel Radcliffe fan site confirmed Friday. The play, which first opened on London's West End earlier this year, stars Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) and Richard Griffiths (Vernon Dursley), both whom have appeared in the Harry Potter films.

DanRadcliffe.com announced that the play would be coming to America in September 2008. Radcliffe made headlines when he first appeared nude in the play this year.

JKR writes "The Tales of Beedle the Bard", will auction

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

Author J.K. Rowling has written real-life copies of the stories contained in The Tales of Beedle the Bard, the compilation of children's fairy tales mentioned in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. She plans on auctioning the handwritten stories for charity at Sotheby's in London on December 13th for �30,000.

Jo made the announcement in an update to her official website earlier this week.

Natalia Tena will return as Tonks in HBP film

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

The Belfast Telegraph is reporting that actress Natalia Tena will reprise her role as Nymphadora Tonks in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, due out in theaters late next year.

Tena first landed the role of Tonks in 2006 and appeared in the Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix film, which was released this past July. She is scheduled to begin filming in mid-November.

'My Boy Jack' debuts on the air Nov. 11th

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

Television film, My Boy Jack, starring actor Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), will first air on British television network ITV on November 11, 2007 at 9 PM local time.

The film sees Radcliffe portraying the character of "Jack". It is themed around World War I.

Happy Halloween from Privet-Drive.com!

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

Long live the Boy Who Lived, we would like to wish all our visitors a very happy and safe Halloween today, October 31st! Have a fun day.

Newell did not have prior knowledge of Harry's fate

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

Director Mike Newell has revealed in a new interview with MTV.com that J.K. Rowling did not spill details regarding the fate of the series' main characters during his tenure with the Potter films.

Newell, who directed Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in 2005, says:

�No. Absolutely nothing. I asked her and she wouldn�t [say a thing]. She was very funny about that.

I asked her questions [and] she simply said �I�m not answering them. Not that. Not that. Not that.��

Guillermo to direct film adaptation of 'Hallows'?

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

In a recent interview with MTV.com, director Guillermo Del Toro has expressed his interest in directing the final Potter film.

Having worked on films such as Pan's Labyrinth and Hellboy, Del Toro says his interest in directing the films can be attributed to the fact that the Potter series has darkened over time. He previously turned down an offer to direct Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, which was released in theaters in June 2004.

'Hallows' released in France, Germany; release sets records with huge demand

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

The French and German translations of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows were released in the two European countries on October 28th.

There is a huge demand for the final Potter novel in both France and Germany. 1.15 million copies of the French translation were sold in the first 48 hours of the novel's release.

Happy Birthday, Molly Weasley!

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

Author J.K. Rowling has updated her official website to mark the birthday of Molly Weasley today, October 30th.

We would like to wish Mrs. Weasley a very happy birthday, have a good one!

Jo continues U.S. book tour in New Orleans tomorrow

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

Author J.K. Rowling will be in New Orleans, Louisiana tomorrow, October 18th, as she continues her 2007 Open Book Tour. Jo will be reading to hundreds of fans from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

The event will take place at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center at 10 AM EST. A crowd of over 1,500 people is expected to attend.

Dan, Emma briefed on outcome of 'Hallows' prior to release

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

In a new interview with MTV, author J.K. Rowling reveals that Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) and Emma Watson (Hermione Granger) had prior knowledge of the outcome of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows prior to the novel's release this past July.

Jo claims that she spoke to Radcliffe on several occasions, claiming the actor knew certain details regarding his character, but requested important details be kept under wraps. She also recalls talking to Watson and says she told the actress the "most" information.

JKR says she hasn't started on Hogwarts encyclopedia

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

On the first part of her U.S. Open Book Tour, author J.K. Rowling was asked various questions by eager fans of the Harry Potter series. One such question asked was on the subject of the proposed Harry Potter encyclopedia Jo is considering writing now that all seven Harry Potter novels have been released - has she started writing it yet?

The author, laughing, replied with, "It's not coming along and I haven't started yet. I never said it was the next thing I'd do." The news upset many longtime fans of the boy wizard who are eagerly anticipating the post-Potter encyclopedia.

Jo begins post-Hallows book tour in U.S.

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

Author J.K. Rowling officially kicked off her 2007 U.S. Open Book Tour early Monday, arriving in Los Angeles, California to be greeted by thousands of dedicated Harry Potter fans.

The event, which marks the author's first U.S. book tour in over five years, will see Jo visiting various cities across the United States. She will read from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows at each event.

Happy Birthday, Filius Flitwick!

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

The latest update to author J.K. Rowling's official website reveals our small favorite charms professor Filius Flitwick celebrates his birthday today, October 17th.

Happy Birthday, Filius!

New Potter items available at Noble Collection

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

Collectible website, the Noble Collection, has added several new Harry Potter-related products to their catalog ahead of the 2007 holiday season.

Among the new items is a Death Eater mask, a full-sized replica of the Marauders Map, a map of Diagon Alley, and much more.

Rowling adopts pet dog in an addition to family

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

Author J.K. Rowling has adopted a pet dog named Sapphire, the Herald is reporting.

Jo reportedly donated �1,000 to the animal rescue fund in which she adopted the animal from. Sapphire now resides with Rowling at her home.

Movie of the Year award for 'Phoenix' film?

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

The film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix has been nominated for Movie of the Year at the Hollywood Movie Awards.

Fans can show their support for the boy wizard by voting for the latest Potter film. Winners will be announced on October 22nd at a ceremony in Los Angeles, California.

October 2007's Wizard of the Month

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

The official website of author J.K. Rowling has been updated with a new Wizard of the Month for October 2007:

Harry Potter (1980-)
The Boy Who Lived, only known survivor of the Avada Kedavra curse and conqueror of Lord Voldemort, also known as Tom Riddle. Harry Potter joined the reshuffled Auror Department under Kingsley Shacklebolt at age 17, rising to become Head of said department in 2007.

Yates, Craig talk 'Half-Blood Prince' film

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

Director David Yates talks Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in a new interview now available on Voices From Krypton. In the interview, he details several scenes to take place in the film and also discusses the use of mixed elements used in the production process.

In addition, the website made available today an interview with production designer, Stuart Craig. Craig also discusses the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince film, due out in theaters in November 2008.

Confirmed: Jim Broadbent to portray Horace Slughorn in HBP film

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

Actor Jim Broadbent has confirmed he will be portraying the character of Horace Slughorn in the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince film in a new interview with Dark Horizons.

The actor has held roles in both Moulin Rouge and the Bridget Jones franchise. Filming for the movie begins next week.

Potter trio will be in attendance at National Movie Awards

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson will attend the ceremony for the National Movie Awards next week, a source close to the awards program has announced.

The ceremony be held on September 28th at Royal Festival Hall in London. The trio was nominated for their roles in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in the awards program. The aforementioned film has been nominated in the category of "Best Family Film."

Happy Birthday, Tom Felton!

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

Actor Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy) celebrates his twentieth birthday today, September 22nd.

We would like to wish the actor a very happy birthday. Happy Birthday, Tom!

Harry Potter and the Boy Who Made the Most Money

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

James Bond and Star Wars are no match for Harry Potter, according to the latest statistics from Warner Bros.

The Potter franchise has topped $4.47 billion in box office sales following the release of the first five films in the Harry Potter series. The newest figures make the boy wizard the top grossing franchise of all time.

Radcliffe on Slughorn in Half-Blood Prince

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

Actor Daniel Radcliffe recently conducted an interview with MTV, in which he commented on the character of Horace Slughorn in the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince film.

Although the film will be filled with comical moments of the Hogwarts Potion Master, Radcliffe believes the tragedy of Slughorn "outweighs the comedy in the film."

'Phoenix' DVD confirmed for December release

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

Warner Bros. today announced that the DVD version of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix will be released in the United States on December 11, 2007.

This release date is later than the November 2007 one previously reported. The film is slated for release on Blu-Ray and HD-DVD as well.

Scream Awards nomination for 'Phoenix' film

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

The film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix has been nominated for an award at the Scream 2007 Awards, hosted by Spike TV.

The nomination, which was announced earlier today, places the film in several categories, including Ultimate Scream and Best Fantasy film.

Voting for this event begins tomorrow on the web, and lasts until October 19th.

Helena Bonham Carter will return for HBP film

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix Lestrange) will return to the set of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince to take part in filming early next year, a publicist for the actress confirmed yesterday.

Carter first appeared in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, which was released in theaters this past July. She has postponed filming until early 2008 while she is pregnant with her child.

September 2007's Wizard of the Month

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

Author J.K. Rowling has updated her official website with a new Wizard of the Month for the month of September 2007:

Albus Dumbledore (1881-1996)
Brilliant and often controversial headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Albus Dumbledore is most famous for his 1945 defeat of Grindelwald and his steadfast championing of Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived. Dumbledore's self-proclaimed proudest achievement, however, was featuring on a Famous Wizards Chocolate Frog Card.

New details emerge on 'Phoenix' deleted scenes

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

A list of deleted scenes from the Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix film was made available to the public earlier today.

The scenes listed will appear on the DVD version of the film when it is released later this year.

UK tourism enhanced by Harry Potter films

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

The success of the films and ever-growing Harry Potter fan base have led to a 120% increase in tourists to Alnwick Castle in Northumberland (many scenes within 'Hogwarts' were shot here). It is said that the Harry Potter films are responsible for bringing nearly �9m worth of tourism to this Northeast region of England.

Harry Potter films are not the first to boost UK popularity, with films such as Pride & Prejudice and The Da Vinci Code bringing countless visitors to mansions, historic/religious locations and rural landscapes in which movie scenes have been shot.

'Phoenix' takes home Teen Choice Award

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

Harry Potter fans rejoice - thanks to your support as fans, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix took home an award at the 2007 Teen Choice Awards last night.

The film received the most votes in the category of Choice Summer Movie (Drama/Action Adventure). Well done, everyone!