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30 June 2002  

Borders Bookstore To Have A Harry Potter Birthday Celebration thanks to iHP

iharrypotter.net gave us a heads up on Borders Bookstore celebrating Harry's July 31st birthday!  Go to this link, enter Harry Potter in the search.  Make sure the search is set for 30 days, and see if the Borders in your area is have a celebration.

Branagh Still In The Directing Picture??  from This is London

Kenneth Branagh is hotly tipped to direct the third Harry Potter movie when current helmer Christopher Columbus hangs up his wand after finishing the current movie, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Branagh, who is also starring in the current film as Professor Gilderoy Lockhart, is one of three candidates in the frame for the job, widely regarded as one of the great directing gigs of the decade.

While negotiations are far from complete, a source close to Branagh says: "He would like to do the job." A decision will be reached over the next four weeks.

Branagh faces competition from Mexican director Alfonso Cuaron, whose CV includes the hit Y Tu Mama Tambien (And Your Mother Too) and the magical screen version of A Little Princess, and Callie Khouri, screenwriter of Thelma and Louise.

"When you're not shooting, the schedule is still heavy," says Columbus, "The process has made me a better film-maker and I am extremely open to the prospect of directing the fourth in the series."

Meanwhile, the decision about who will take over for Harry Potter III (The Prisoner of Azkaban) will be made in the next month by four key people: Columbus himself, producer David Heyman, JK Rowling and screenwriter Steve Kloves.

"All of these people you mention are in the mix," confirmed David Heyman, "plus a few others. We're looking for somebody who embodies many qualities: to handle kids and a project of this size and to continue the magic that Chris has brought to it."

"There isn't just one single quality," adds Columbus. "You have to have the ability to handle actors - some of the best actors of our generation are in the films, but you also have to deal with visual effects and these two things rarely go hand in hand. I'm also looking for someone who is not afraid of the darkness and the humour."  Read the rest!

John Cleese Unveils Freud Plaque from AP TV

In London to film his role as a nearly headless ghost, actor John Cleese was all cerebral Friday as he unveiled a commemorative plaque at the home of the founder of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud.

The British actor was in London for the filming of the second "Harry Potter" movie.  Read more!

Rupert's Email Address from TWW

The Wizarding World has stated that the following email address belongs to Rupert:  rupert@rupertgrint.co.uk.

This address is more than likely associated with his official site which is still under construction, so this email address may not work.  Please realize that he receives a lot of fan mail, so it may be very difficult for him to real all of it.  Good luck!  ;)

Book Five Release Date Still Uncertain  from The Times

The company had indicated in March that it hoped the book, to be called Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, would appear later this year.

However, Bloomsbury cheered shareholders at its annual meeting saying it anticipated another surge in sales of the first four Harry Potter books when the second Harry Potter film, The Chamber of Secrets, is released in November.  Read more!

Box Office Record Possible Thanks, in Part, to HP from Reuters

Talk about boffo. The curtain rises on the summer movie season's second half with "Men In Black II" on July 3, and steep gains at U.S. box offices already have Hollywood eying not only a super summer but a record year with over $9 billion in ticket sales.

If that figure holds up, which is no Hollywood movie fantasy, it would mark just over a 7 percent increase from 2001's record total of $8.35 billion, the first time that U.S. box office figures topped $8 billion.

Some industry watchers think ticket sales could hit $10 billion after follow-ups to 2001 hits "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" and "Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings" land in U.S. theaters this fall.  Read more!

Bloomsbury Expects Surge With CoS Release from Reuters

Harry Potter publisher Bloomsbury Publishing Plc said on Thursday it was having an excellent year and was confident it would achieve budgeted full-year profits.

"We anticipate another surge in Harry Potter sales on the back of the release of the second film on November 15," Bloomsbury said in a statement, adding its U.S. division was trading well.  Link.  

German TV Wins Rights To Harry Potter from Reuters

Movie studio Warner Bros. Tuesday said it signed a lucrative film and television deal with Germany's free-television company RTL, casting some light for U.S. media companies over a European market clouded by recent financial troubles.

Reports back in June when the deal first was speculated upon put the value at around $200 million, but a Warner Bros. spokesman in Los Angeles declined to comment.

The deal includes the television broadcast rights to recent hit Warner films like "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," "Ocean's Eleven," "The Perfect Storm" and affiliate New Line Cinema's "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring."  Read more!

Happy Birthday, Harry Potter!  from CBBC Newsround, thanks to The Leaky Cauldron

His battles against the dark arts have been translated into languages like Greenlandic, Low German and Macedonian and he's become a hero in some unexpected places.  Read more!

What Would You Give Harry For His Birthday? from CBBC Newsround, thanks to TWW

We want to know what you would give Harry for his birthday. Enough Bertie Botts Every Flavour beans to last him for a year or special powers to blast Voldermort away forever?

Go here to have your say!

Owl Prowl Winners Announced!  Thanks to the Leaky Cauldron

All of the winners for the Owl Prowl contest have been announced!  Congratulations to them all!  You can go see the list here!

Scholastic Corp Stock Down 20% from MSN Market Report, thanks to the Leaky Cauldron

Scholastic Corp (SCHL) 38.38 -0.89: Stock is down 20% over the past month on concerns over the Q3 bad debt issue, its implications for Q4, and the eventual timing for Harry Potter 5.  CSFB believe investors should not ignore SCHL based on whether Harry Potter is released in Dec or Feb and reiterates their Buy rating and $67 price target as a way to play positive trends in K-12 reading materials.  Firm rates current levels as very attractive, even without any revenue contribution from Harry Potter in FY 2003 ("very unlikely"). 

Cuaron Denies He's Signed On for Azkaban from El Norte, thanks to iHP

iharrypotter.net has the following information and translation from El Norte:

Alfonso Cuarón assures that he has not signed a contract with Warner Brothers to make the third part of the Harry Potter, but he likes the idea of making it because the project "is promising."

"They are rumors, I have not signed anything. One is rather which we are understood, but the studio and I are in talks," explained the director.

"It is a question of being clear in the defining if the movie that I want to make is the same movie that they want. And I should be sure if I wants to spend two or two-and-a-half years in London. I'm not very sure of that right now."

John Williams Busy Mapping Out CoS Score from the Boston Globe, thanks to TLC and harrypotterfreak

When he talks about the movies, John Williams still can't help grinning. In his 70th-birthday season and with more than 90 film scores behind him, he still enjoys composing music, and when he talks about his work, he's as happy as a kid at the popcorn stand.

This summer, Williams has contributed to two giant productions in the theaters, ''Minority Report'' and ''Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones.'' When Williams was in town a few weeks ago to conduct the Boston Pops, he took a few minutes off from his busy schedule to talk about what he has been up to.

The Boston week was a brief holiday from composing, a stopover between London, where he saw a rough cut of ''Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,'' and Los Angeles, where he is now busy mapping out the score. Williams will compose about 40 minutes of the music, including all the new thematic material; William Ross will develop the themes for the full score.  Read more!

23 June 2002

Possible WB Boycott Due to VHS Abandonment from The Hollywood Reporter, thanks to TWW

Warner Home Video UK is facing a widespread boycott by individual retailers of its July rental releases after its decision to abandon the VHS rental to sell-through window while implementing a two-tier pricing strategy that will charge rental dealers a premium for the right to rent DVDs.  Read more!

Harry Potter and CliffNotes from the NYT

N the beginning, there were only CliffsNotes, and they reminded readers up front, in bold, to READ THE ENTIRE LITERARY WORK, warning that the notes were NOT INTENDED as a substitute for the real thing.

But a new generation of competitors to Cliffs doesn't bother with such disclaimers, and even the new, revised Cliffs have dropped their bold threat.

Still, let the reader beware: those who read the notes instead of the book risk losing something in the reduction, as a few comparisons suggest.

From "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone":

"You mean he was there in the classroom with you?" Harry gasped.

"He is with me wherever I go," said Quirrell quietly. "I met him when I traveled around the world. A foolish young man I was then, full of ridiculous ideas about good and evil. Lord Voldemort showed me how wrong I was. There is no good and evil, there is only power, and those too weak to see it. . . .

Since then, I have served him faithfully, although I have let him down many times. He has had to be very hard on me." Quirrell shivered suddenly. "He does not forgive mistakes easily. When I failed to steal the stone from Gringotts, he was most displeased. He punished me . . . decided he would have to keep a closer watch on me. . . ."

 
From the SparkNotes:

The sentiments Quirrell expressed underlie one of the classic works of political theory, Niccolo Machiavelli's "The Prince." In this 16th-century work Machiavelli wrote about how rulers should expand their power with no regard for morality or justice. . . . Quirrell's statement also echoes the thought of 19th-century German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, who argued that individual human will and striving are more important and relevant than morality and more impressive than flimsy notions of right and wrong. The ideas of these two philosophers emphasize the individual at the expense of the common good, and Voldemort embodies their values.  (Link)

Bloomsbury Update on Book 5  Thanks to the Leaky Cauldron

Bloomsbury has updated their FAQs with the following information about book 5:

When will the fifth book be published?
JK Rowling is happily writing the fifth Harry Potter book and we will announce a publication date once we have received the finished manuscript. As soon as we have any more news about the publication date we will update this area.

CoS Trailer Will Be In UK Theatres Today!

Just a friendly reminder that the CoS trailer will be in the UK theatres today!!

Former Punk Singer as The Shopkeeper, Mr. Brogin from CBBC Newsround

Newsround have discovered that the singer in 80s punk band Tenpole Tudor, Ed Tudor-Pole, has been cast as creepy shopkeeper Mr Borgin.  He serves the Malfoys at his Dark Arts shop in Knockturn Alley.  Read more!  

Cuaron Accepts Azkaban Directing Position from El Norte, thanks to Counting Down, and HarryPotterFreak2005!

Alfonso Cuarón has accepted directing 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban', the third part of the series based on the books by JK Rowling. official but sources close to the mexican director confirm that him and warner brothers have come to a formal agreement that it will be him to direct the third potter installment Here is the news article (in spanish) of the announcement from a local mexican newspaper.  Read more (in spanish)!

Encryption Codes Seemed to Have Vanished from ZDNet

Like most other film studios, Warner Bros. includes anti-copying technology on DVDs to prevent digital-to-digital recording, for example, to a computer hard drive. This is considered a crucial defense against the looming "Napsterization" of Hollywood, as high-speed Internet connections and powerful video-compression technology increasingly make it possible for ordinary consumers to swap high-quality versions of feature-length movies online.

A Warner Bros. representative declined to comment when asked whether the company had dropped analog encryption from the "Harry Potter" release, saying only that it uses complete digital copy-protection features on all its DVDs.

"We have piracy deterrents on everything," the representative said.  Read more!

The Entire CoS Trailer is On Line!

Warner Bros has finally released the entire trailer!  Go see it here!

Chamber of Secrets Trailer Released in UK This Friday!  from CBBC, thanks to Counting Down

CBBC is reporting that the "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" trailer will be released this Friday in the UK!

Cheat Sheet' for Sorcerer's Stone to be Released from Ananova

An American publishing company is planning to release a study guide to Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone.

SparkNotes is publishing a "cheat sheet" for Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone, as it is called in America.

They usually publish books about classic fiction such as Shakespeare or Dickens.

The books are boiled-down versions of the original that students can read as a supplement or substitute.

They will explain to those too lazy to read the originals that Professor Quirrell is spouting Machiavelli and Voldemort is right out of Nietzsche, reports www.nytimes.com.

Satellite Owners To Receive Chamber of Secrets Trailer! from Counting Down

Neville, over at Counting Down, has the following information that he says is from WB:

Satellite owners, get your VCR's ready. Warner Bros announced that the full trailer for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets will be shown on a direct satellite feed on Thursday. Here's the info...


Feed One
Date: 20th June 2002
Time: 0100-0115 GMT

Feed Two
Date: 20th June 2002
Time: 0900-0915 GMT

European distribution:
Satellite: NewSkies Intelsat K Transponder: V1 061/071
Polarity: Vertical Downlink Frequency: 12521.5
FEC: 3/4 Symbol rate: 6.111319 Color: PAL
Uplink Tel: DCI Washington DC +1-202-728-9560

Central and South American distribution
Satellite: PAS 9(c) Transponder: 19C SCPC Slot B
Polarity: Vertical Downlink Frequency: 4075.5
FEC: 2/3 Symbol rate: 6.62000 Color: NTSC
Uplink Tel: PAS Napa +1-707-253-9466

Asia Pacific distribution
Satellite: Pacific Ocean Region (POR) 180-degree Intelsat satellite.
Transponder: 21/11 upper
Polarity: RHCP Downlink Freq: 3769 MHz
Bit rate 8.4 Mbps FEC 7/8
Symbol Rate: 20.0 MBaud IRD Channel: Four
Color: NTSC Uplink Tel: Pacific Television Center +1-310-287-3800

Consensus says that the trailer will probably air on the official site the same day.

British Fads Good For Beckham from the Independent

Okay, there is only a little mention of HP in this article, but I'm posting it anyway. . .

Beckham-San has caught the mood at the right time. Going British is a growing fad in Japan. Young girls in tartan and boys in Fred Perry queue up to see the Harry Potter film, while their older siblings buy CDs by Radiohead and Fat Boy Slim, and drink beer at themed pubs.  Read more!

CoS Trailer May Have Helped Doo's Success  from USA Today

Scooby-Doo, where are you?  Try the No. 1 spot at the box office after fetching $56.4 million over the weekend, according to estimates from Nielsen EDI, a box office tracking firm.

Propelled by kids and Gen-Xers and boomers who grew up on the TV show that began in 1969, the film's performance surprised analysts, many of whom predicted it would gross no more than $40 million. ''We underestimated the nostalgia factor,'' says John Shaw of box office tracker Movieline International.

''Scooby is older than he looks,'' says Dan Fellman, distribution chief for Warner Bros., which released the movie and promises a sequel in 2004. The first trailer for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, out Nov. 15 from the same studio, also may have given Scooby-Doo a boost.  Read more!

Harry Potter Magic Show from The Florida-Times Union, thanks to TWW

Magician King Chapman will hold a free Harry Potter Magic Show Thursday at noon at the Ida Hilton Public Library in Darien and 4 p.m. at the Long County Public Library in Ludowici. Call (912) 437-2124or 545-2521.

Ford Anglia To Become Trendy Thanks To Harry from The Daily Record

HARRY Potter is set to work his magic on a classic British motor.

The Ford Anglia Owners' Club believe the 60s car will become trendy after the boy wizard, played by Daniel Radcliffe, left, drives a flying version in his second film, The Chamber of Secrets.  Read more!

UK Video Sales Up Thanks To Harry from London Variety

U.K. video sales are up 31% in 2002 to date, thanks largely to the blockbuster figures posted by "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone."

After recording the highest day-one sales of all time, "Harry Potter" has so far sold 1.57 million units on video and 861,000 units on DVD.

That means the picture has sold nearly four times as many units as "Moulin Rouge," the No. 2-selling video so far this year. "Harry Potter" is already the second bestselling DVD ever in Britain, closing in fast on "Gladiator."  Read more!

Chamber of Secrets Trailer Details

My great friend, DD, gave me a description of the new "Chamber of Secrets" trailer.  Please keep in mind that she does not know all the details of Harry Potter that all of us fellow Potter fans do, so for what she is unsure of I will explain better in parenthesis.  Here it is:

There is a chase scene in a little flying car that is being driven by his red haired friend (Ron) and they are trying to escape the train (Hogwart's Express).  He is confronted by that blond haired Malfoy kid who says, "Are you scared Harry Potter?" and Harry says, "You wish."  The hamber of secrets has a huge door on it with locks that look like live snakes.  There is a scene where Harry is trying to grab a jewel studded sword (The Gryffindor Sword) and kind of holds it up like young king Arthur.  There is also a huge hairy spider (Aragog).  It gives a flash of a few of the teachers who are "very worried" about the chamber of secrets because I think they don't know what's in it?  There is a scene when Harry writes in a big book (The Diary), "Do you know anything about the Chamber of Secrets?" the writing disappears and a ghost (Tom Riddle) writes "Yes".

Thanks, DD, for the information!  :-)

Harry Potter Still Leading Home Video Rental from Reuters

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" remained the leading home video rental in the United States during its second week of release, according to data issued by the Video Software Dealers Association for the week ended June 9.  Read more!  

Brother-In-Law of JKR Experiences Car Torch from The Daily Record

THE brother-in-law of Harry Potter author JK Rowling has had his luxury sports car destroyed by an arsonist.

Businessman and restaurateur Roger Moore's £30,000 Audi TT was set ablaze in Greenhill Gardens in Edinburgh's smart Bruntsfield area early yesterday.

Mr Moore, who is married to Rowling's sister Di, said: "I'm sure it's not personal."

Harry Potter Camp Lets Kids Become Hogwarts Students from the San Diego Tribune, thanks to TWW

The Eeylops Owl Emporium, a workshop from the Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone science camp, answers all of these questions.

Through a new course taught by Mad Science, day-campers can become students of Hogwarts, the wizardry school Harry attends. They can make a Golden Snitch and a Hogwarts crest and amulet.

They can mix a potion in a miniature cauldron and, with a pass of the "magic" wand, change its color or make bubbles rise from its surface.  Read more!

Kids Love New Trailer!  from CBBC Newsround

Kids in the US can now see the trailer when they go to see Scooby-Doo.  Read more!  

Winner Hopes To Be Sorted from Newsday, thanks to iHP

I was just trying to win a DVD," Joel said Wednesday. "I had no idea I would actually win a trip."

Joel and his mother, Teresa Willoughby, are flying to London for the filming June 24. Later, he and three family members will return for the movie's premiere in November.

He doesn't know what part he'll play, but he's hoping they'll "sort him into a house."  Read more!

Scooby Doo With Harry Potter Trailer Today!

Just a reminder that Scooby Doo starts today, and with him comes the entire new trailer of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets trailer!  Try not to miss it!

Spielberg's Children Mad He Passed Up HP from Zap2it

"I'm like the first person they bring 'Harry Potter' to," he explains to the Associated Press. "They brought 'Spider-Man' to me. I love 'Harry Potter,' my kids are mad at me for passing. I love 'Spider-Man,' my kids are mad at me for passing there. But I said, 'This is Daddy's time now, this is the time for me to do things that will challenge me.' And those two films would not have been a challenge for me."  Read more!

Scholastic Celebrates Goblet of Fire Paperback Release  from Stockhouse, thanks to iHP

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL CELEBRATES HARRY POTTER DAY

On July 31 and August 6 eleven major league baseball teams nationwide will celebrate "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Day." As part of this program, fans attending the games will have the chance to win a copy of the newly released paperback edition of "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire."

PRINT, INTERNET, GO CARDS AND MOVIE SCREENS ANNOUNCE BOOK RELEASE

Scholastic will mount a national print, and internet advertising campaign including GO CARDS which will be distributed in July.

LIBRARIES AND BOOKSTORES JOIN IN THE CELEBRATION

To help kids celebrate Harry Potter's birthday in libraries and bookstores across the nation, Scholastic is shipping 10,000 "Wish Harry Potter a Happy Birthday" kits to venues cross the country.

Make sure to go read more!

Harry Potter DVD Without Copy-Protection System from New Scientist, thanks to iHP

Warner Home Video has chosen not to copy-protect the home versions of its blockbuster movie Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in major markets, including the US and UK. This means people can go out and buy a DVD or VHS, connect the analogue output of their player to a recorder - either analogue or digital - and make free copies for friends.  Read more!

More CoS Pics!!

The Leaky Cauldron has received even more pics!  Go check out all the new ones at the Picture Gallery!

Florida Boy Wins Walk On Role on CoS from Zap2it

In an announcement Tuesday (June 11), the Warner company announced the winner of the worldwide online "Owl Prowl" game, created to bring Harry Potter fans across the globe together in celebration of the May DVD and VHS release of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

Joel Willoughby of Navarre, Fla., is the 11-year-old randomly selected from more than 1.5 million entries worldwide to win a trip to England for a walk-on role in this fall's theatrical release "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets."  Read more!

HPSS Wins Costume Saturn Award from Cinescape, thanks to iHP

Judianna Mokovsky won a Saturn Award in the category of  Best Costume for "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone."  Read more!

A Few Words From Mrs. Weasley from Coming Soon, thanks to Counting Down

Julie Walters (Mrs Weasley) was interviewed on ITV1's mid-morning show "This Morning" and amongst other things, talked about the Harry Potter movies.

She talked about how much she loved the whole Potter saga and also confirmed that she would be in the next 3 HP movies (starting from the 'Chamber of Secrets') yet she is still to find out whether there will be more than four movies made. She commented that all the books should be made into movies.

I know - not much about the movies themselves but at least we know there's gonna be 4 HP movies, at the minimum - great news for Harry Potter fans!!!

Hornby Sales Uplifted by Hogwarts Express Sales from Ananova

Hornby says strong sales of its Harry Potter Hogwarts Express train have helped boost full-year profits.

The company is planning to produce another set based on the second Harry Potter film, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, and these are expected to be in the shops this autumn.  Read more!

Bring in the Swat Team from The Scotsman

Avon has been calling. Now that June is here demand for "Skin So Soft" dry oil body spray looks like reaching an all-time high in the Scottish Highlands. The 51st Highland Regiment Territorial Army (Machine Gun Platoon) is particularly partial to the "Woodland Fresh" variety.

In the Highlands, when it comes to masculinity versus midge there’s no contest. When Mel Gibson was filming Braveheart he was smothered in "Woodland Fresh Skin So Soft" under the blue woad. Who says? Well, Sarah Geden from Avon Cosmetics for a start.

"Midges are ‘pool feeders’ where they use their jaws to cut holes in the skin," says Blackwell. "That’s why it’s so painful. They open up pools of blood to feed from and pump anticoagulant in to keep it flowing.

"Then they release a pheromone to announce their success to other midges. When half a million midges can collect in just one 2x2 metre piece of ground, you can see why they cause such a problem."
Which brings us back to soldiers and Scots wha hae "Woodland Fresh" liberally rubbed all over them. Avon will be disappointed to hear that the midge likes "Skin So Soft" fine - it’s just that the stuff is proboscis proof.

"We’ve tried it and I don’t think its a repellent as such," says Blackwell politely. "When its rubbed on it appears to act as a mechanical barrier - they can’t bite through it."

If the result is keeping midges off, that’s all that matters for frantic film crews shooting moorland scenes on the new Harry Potter movie, Harry Potter And The Chamber of Secrets, who have already placed an order with Avon. Regular Hagrid-sized applications should reduce company overheads for quite some time.  Read more!

The Trailer is Here!!

Yes, finally!!!  You can view a short version of the trailer here!!!  The full version will be shown on theatres with the release of Scooby Doo on 14 June!

Potter 3 Director Confusion

There has been some confusion as to who will be directing "Prisoner of Azkaban."  Recently, it was stated that Cuaron was noted as the director on the IMDb site.  As I stated before, this information is given to IMDb by visitors who input the information.  Therefore, it was not confirmed.

The Snitch is claiming that Sky News has confirmed that Kenneth Branagh has been confirmed as the director for POA.

Please realize that this information is not official until is comes straight from WB.  So, who knows???

Harry to Offer Peak Inside "Chamber" from USA Today

It's no magic trick, but there's relief in sight for all who are wild about Harry and can't wait for J.K. Rowling's delayed fifth book. (Due originally in July, it has been pushed back to 2003.)

The first trailer of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets will be shown on Friday before another Warner Bros. movie, Scooby-Doo. Exclusive photos from the trailer shown here also will be available for viewing on America Online on Tuesday (keyword: Harry Potter).

The sequel, out Nov. 15, will be funnier, scarier and darker than Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, which grossed $317.6 million in North America, says producer David Heyman.  Read more!  See photos here!

JK Rowling To Turn Her Castle Into Hogwarts from BBC, thanks to iHP

It also says that Harry Potter author JK Rowling is planning to transform Stirling Castle into her famous school of witchcraft and wizardry, Hogwarts, for a charity ball.

 9 June 2002 

Happy Birthday, Alex!!!!  Seven-years-old Today!!!  :)  :) 

HP Fans Acting Like 'Spoiled Brats' from CTNow, thanks to iHP

Potterphiles around the world are acting like spoiled brats [Life, June 3, Flip page, "Waiting For Harry"]. They're so eager to get this new toy (the fifth Harry Potter book) that they're not taking into account what has happened to writer J.K. Rowling in the past two years.

She helped shape the first of seven films. She was forced to deal with the media hordes after the release of the fourth book. And just recently, she was married and moved to a castle in Scotland. Add this to the fact that many authors take at least two years to write a book, and I can't fathom what the fuss is about.  Read more of this  writer's interesting opinion!

Vote For Alan Rickman as Your Favorite Actor thanks to The Dark Mark

Groovie Movie has a poll asking patrons to vote for their favorite actor.  Currently in second place is Alan Rickman.  Go here to vote for your favorite actor!

IMDb States Cuaron is Director for PoA

Counting Down had a fan write in stating that the  IMDb states that Alfonso Cuaron is the director for Prisoner of Azkaban.  As far as I know, this has not been confirmed.  IMDb relies on people to give them information via the net.  But, we'll see . . .

New CoS Includes Prof Sprout!

The Leaky Cauldron received a picture from a fan that includes Prof Sprout!  You can check it out on our Picture Gallery! 

Will CoS Provide a Box Office Shake-Up?  from the Herald Sun, thanks to Counting Down

HARRY Potter conjured up record-shattering box office magic.

Then along came Spider-Man.

So, while Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, a sequel to the hit Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, is still in production, is another box office shake-up imminent?  Read more!

Potter Musical Events in Los Angeles Area from LA Times

I've posted these before, but here's just a reminder . . . :)

Cypress Civic Center Green
5275 Orange Ave., Cypress

The theme is "Star Wars and More," with selections from the film scores of "Gladiator," "Rocky," "The Patriot," "Star Wars" and "Harry Potter."

Jun. 15: 6 p.m.

Information: 562-425-5276

Pasadena City Hall, 100 N. Garfield Ave., Pasadena

The festival begins with pre-concert fun and a food court then concludes with marching bands and a concert by the Pasadena POPS orchestra. The orchestra will play the 1812 Overture, selections from the Harry Potter Suite and music by Richard Rodgers and others.

Jun. 15: 5:30 p.m.

Tickets: Box office: 626-792-7677.

Plenty of Wizard Sequels to Offer from The Scotsman

IT’S a summer of big-hitting sequels from authors whose novels have put children’s books back in perspective following the hysteria of the past five years. We know there is to be no new Harry Potter novel this year, but there are plenty of inspired alternatives for the fussiest of readers.  Read more!

New Name Conjured For Possible Potter 3 Director from Guardian Unlimited

Thelma & Louise screenwriter Callie Khouri is the latest name to be mentioned in connection with the director's job on the third Harry Potter movie (pictured).The writer, who made her directorial debut with the forthcoming The Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood, joins the likes of Alfonso Cuaron and Kenneth Branagh on the shortlist for Harry Potter & The Prisoner of Azkaban, reports USA Today. Chris Columbus, who helmed the first two movies, has announced he will not direct the third.  Read more!

HPSS Beating Records from Entertainment Weekly

Video Store magazine reports that ''Potter'' enjoyed first-week rentals of $19.1 million, beating the $18.65 million record set in January by ''The Fast and the Furious.'' And it sold 10 million copies in DVD and VHS, beating the 9 million in first-week sales of ''Shrek'' last year and coming in second only to ''The Lion King,'' which sold 20 million copies its first week in 1995. All told, ''Potter'' raked in about $200 million last week.

And that's just in North America. ''Potter'' has set sales records in Japan and the U.K. Worldwide, and the video has earned about $400 million in three weeks of release.  Read more!

More Chamber of Secrets Pics!!

The Leaky Cauldron received some great new pictures from Chamber of Secrets!!

Go see more here!!

Harry Potter Attraction in Australia Closing from Warner Bros Movie World, thanks to The Leaky Cauldron

HARRY POTTER MOVIE MAGIC EXPERIENCE

HURRY - Closes 31 July 2002

Books created the myth of Harry Potter, and film has brought him to life. Now you can enter the magical world of Harry Potter at Warner Bros. Movie World, WHERE MOVIE MAGIC HAPPENS EVERYDAY!  Read more!

Clash of the Box Office Titans from Guardian Unlimited

On one side is Peter Parker, a troubled teenager whose spidery alter ego swings from rooftops and snatches babies from burning houses. On the other is Harry Potter, a young wizard battling against the world's forces of darkness.

Last night, the two youths were shaping up for the biggest fight of their lives as the London premiere of the film Spider-Man heralded the clash of the box office titans.  Read more!

Potter Video Breaking More Records from Hollywood Variety

Harry Potter cast his spell on the video world in its first month of release, breaking sales records from the United States to Japan and in his home territory of the U.K.

"Potter" generated roughly $400 million in combined video spending around the world in the first three weeks, according to industry estimates, which is believed to be a record.

"Potter" took an unusual route to the U.S., getting released in almost every other country first in order to get out in front of the World Cup soccer tournament that began this month, which tends to dominate all media and consumer attention in every country but the U.S. But Warner Home Video still wanted to wait till the summertime for its U.S. release.

Nearly 10 million copies of the VHS and DVD versions of last year's second biggest movie were sold to consumers in the U.S. and Canada in the first week of release since May 28, including more than a million copies purchased by video stores to rent out, Warner Home Video has confirmed.

That surpasses the approximately nine million copies of "Shrek" that were purchased in the first week of that film's release on video last fall, the previous record in the era of DVD. But it is still only about half of the 20 million copies that Disney reported consumers had purchased of "The Lion King" in the first week of U.S. sales in 1995, all of which were VHS. That amounted to more than $450 million in spending.  Read more!

Spider-man Breaks HP Record from Guardian Unlimited

The director, Sam Raimi, and his stars, Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst, had every reason to look confident as they arrived in Leicester Square, in the centre of the capital. The film has smashed sales records, shattering Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone's claim to the highest grossing opening weekend in the US.  Read more!

Chamber of Secrets Trailer to be on Official Site on 11 June!

I received a letter from WB today stating the following:

This (the Chamber of Secrets) trailer will arrive in theaters June 14th, and will be available at HarryPotter.com starting June 11th.

The trailer will be shown with the Scooby Doo movie.  I can't wait!!  :) :)

Two Hagrids, Peeves will be in CoS  From  Guardian Unlimited

A hunt began yesterday to identify an unknown, 8ft actor with a barrel chest who looks good in shaggy makeup. It was triggered by a film executive who gave away what is known in the trade as "Warner Brothers' big secret" - how they made Hagrid so big in the first Harry Potter film.

Tanya Seghatchian, co-producer of the Potter films, let slip to an audience of children at the Guardian Hay festival that "there were two Hagrids and two sets. One Hagrid was big, one small".

But, for the children, her favourite revelation was that Peeves, the incurably embittered and resourceful poltergeist who was dropped from Philosopher's Stone, has been reprieved.

Bowing to child protests, he has been included to wreak his vengeance on Hogwarts castle in the next film, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

Trying to justify the omission, she said: "Peeves will appear in future films. He was not fundamental to the story." Mr Florence asked whether that meant Peeves's fellow-spectre Nearly Headless Nick - who was in the first film - was fundamental to the story? No, acknowledged Ms Seghatchian gracefully "but Nearly Headless Nick was John Cleese, and we all love John Cleese more".  Read more!

Which Title Will Be Used? from HPN, thanks to Counting Down

Time Warner, inc. has registered some interesting Harry Potter trademarked titles.If you go to the UK Patent Office's trademark search and type in "Harry Potter" you will come up with 3 very interesting names - Harry Potter and the Alchemist's Cell, Harry Potter and the Pyramids of Furmat, and Harry Potter and the Chariots of Light. But we already know book 5 is "the Order of the Phoenix", confirmed and patented in October of last year, so perhaps Rowling changed her mind about one of the titles?

HPSS Top Grossing Rental Film of All Time from The Hollywood Reporter

Warner Home Video's "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" has become the top-grossing first-week rental title of all time, earning an estimated $19.1 million after five days on video store shelves, according to Video Store magazine research.  Read more!

High School Students Raise Money For Sick Friend from Newsday.com, thanks to iHP

Hauppauge High School students proved that even "muggles" can work a bit of magic when they raised money to grant a sick teenager a wish to visit the set of the new "Harry Potter" movie in England.  Read more!

Chamber of Secrets Trailer Goodies!

The Leaky Cauldron has pics that were provided by Harry Potter IRC.  They spilled the goodies on the teaser before WB had the chance to!  Here are pictures from the trailer:

Chamber of Secrets Teaser Poster!!

Thanks to the great HP Fans for sending me the information that the new Chamber of Secrets teaser poster has been released by the official site.

Sorcerer's Stone Nominated for Teen Choice Awards from Prnewswire, thanks to iHP

Seventeen, the all-American magazine, announced today the nominees for THE 4TH ANNUAL 2002 TEEN CHOICE AWARDS which is scheduled to air Monday, August 19 (8-10 p.m. ET/PT) on FOX, with Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears and Sarah Michelle Geller taking the lead for the most nominations. Teen's age 13-19 can vote for the winners by mailing in the ballot found in seventeen's July and August issues or by logging onto seventeen.com.

Best Drama/Action Adventure: A Beautiful Mind, Black Hawk Down, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, The Lord of the Rings, Men in Black 2, Moulin Rouge, Spider-Man, Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones.  Read more!  Go vote here!

New Official Rupert Grint Site? from The Wizarding World

The Wizarding World stated they found a site under construction that is going to be Rupert Grint's Offical Website.  It is registered under his father's name, Nigel Grint.  You can visit it at www.rupertgrint.co.uk.

Mom's Take from Parenting.com

Diehard Harry fans will find stuff to nitpick about, which may actually add to their enjoyment of the movie: Identifying the slight mistakes and omissions. Some we sighted:

• What happened to Peeves (a bothersome ghost)?
• Shouldn't the brooms have looked more different from each other?
• There were more tests to get to the Sorcerer's Stone in the book.

   

No matter. Overall, the spirit of the book shines through brilliantly. It was great fun!  Read more!

JK Rowling Losing Interest? from The Sunday Times, thanks to the Wizarding World

Originally, the intention was to produce seven volumes, following young Harry through his days at Hogwarts school for wizards.

It's now two years since the last Harry Potter book appeared and I am told that the publishers are still awaiting the latest manuscript. That means that it will be almost a three-year interval between books, which rather defeats the object of the exercise.  Read more.

British Films Dominate MTV Awards from Guardian Unlimited

The universal appeal of Moulin Rouge and Lord of the Rings was reflected by their success in the awards ceremony - winning four of the 12 accolades, which ranged from best kiss to best comedic performance and best movie.

Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring won the best movie award and its star, Orlando Bloom, won best male breakthrough. He beat off the competition from Daniel Radcliffe, the star of the other popular British film, Harry Potter.  Read more!

Columbus to be Exec Prod for Azkaban from this is London

Recent reports suggested that Columbus was sick of England and wanted to return home to California with his family. In an exclusive inter-view, he tells me the real story.

"It infuriated me to read that," he says. "I'm not leaving Britain. I'm here for another 13 months at least to help the transition. The reason I won't be doing the next movie is that from an executive producer standpoint - which is my role for the third film - my services won't be required 24 hours a day. I would like to have dinner with my family every now and then."  Read more!

Tony Awards Tonight

A reminder comes from iHP that the Tony Awards are on CBS in the U.S. tonight from 9-11pm EST.  Alan Rickman has been nominated for his role in "Private Lives."  Make sure to check your local listings.

Discover the Magic of Harry Potter

Amy, at the Muggle Pride Zone, posted that China will have a showing of a TV program titled Discover the Magic of Harry Potter.  It will be aired tonight at 9pm on ATV.

Stars Head to Newcastle from icNewcastle

Famous actors and directors are heading North to promote their new movies at a secret star-studded film festival for critics.

Richard Harris, Timothy Spall, Mike Leigh and Ben Chaplin are just some of the big names who will be in Newcastle next week when the city plays host to the Cinema Days movie event.

Harry Potter star Richard Harris will talk to the press about My Kingdom, a drama about a Liverpool crime family, in which he stars with Jimi Mistry.  Read more!

No Elaboration Necessary from The Washington Post

The Washington Post has an article in which they are giving a list of books for boys to read over the summer, and reasons why they're recommended.  Here's what they had to say:

The Golden Compass, by Philip Pullman (ages 12 and up). The first book in Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy is a complex action fantasy adventure -- with a main character who's a girl.

Captain Underpants books , by Dav Pilkey (ages 6-12).Don't resist them. Take them for what they are -- goofy-young-guy humor with a title that says it all.

The Harry Potter books, by J.K. Rowling (ages 8 and up). No elaboration necessary.

The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings , by J.R.R. Tolkien (ages 8 and up). If you haven't heard of these by now, maybe your son is right. You do embarrass him. Yes, there's a movie now, but boys love the books.

A Series of Unfortunate Events, by Lemony Snicket (ages 10 and up). Fiendishly funny and smart (see review on page 5).  Read more!

What Teenagers Say They Enjoy Reading from Guardian Unlimited

We asked a selection of teenagers to nominate their 'best-ever reads'

'My class chose eight authors: Sue Townsend , C.S. Lewis , Stephen King , Anne Rice , David Pelzer , J.R.R. Tolkein , Philip Pullman and J.K. Rowling .' Rosie Kelly-Smith, 15

' The Hobbit : interesting; Harry Potter : excellent. Macbeth : waste of time; FHM : what a magazine, nice ladies in bikinis, intriguing facts, even a football section - what else could a guy want?' Jay Runham, 14  Read more!

Fans Fidgety for More Potter from Burlington County Times, thanks to MPZ

Edwin Lippincott is waiting.

The 12-year-old from Roebling has been waiting since July 2000, when the last Harry Potter book was released. Edwin already read the first four books in the series. Now, he is facing another summer bereft of his beloved boy wizard. Book five isn't here.

"I've read the first book 32 times, the second book 29 times, the third book 22 times and the fourth book 15 times," said Edwin. "I just keep reading them because there's no fifth book to read. I'm extremely angry. I've been waiting for a long time."

It was rumored that the fifth book in the seven-book series about a young wizard and his wizardry school would be published this summer. Now the rumors say maybe summer 2003. Unfortunately, nobody really seems to know when the much-anticipated book might arrive.

"There is no publication date," said Kris Moran, a spokeswoman for Scholastic, the American publisher of the Potter books. The fact is that the author, J.K. Rowling, hasn't finished it yet. "She's writing it and when she finishes it we'll announce the publication date," Moran said.  Read more!

Williams Has Seen Rough Cut of Chamber of Secrets from The Boston Globe, thanks to the Leaky Cauldron

John Williams has interrupted his flight from London to Los Angeles for a weeklong layover in Boston. In England he saw a rough cut of the new film ''Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets''; he begins composing the score Monday in LA. Last night he was in Symphony Hall preparing his ''Evening at Pops'' show, which airs on July 28.  Read more!

Harry Potter Game #5 from This is London