"If we turn our heads and look away and hope that it will all disappear then they will - all of them, an entire generation of people. And we will have only history left to judge us."
Posted By Matthew on 05-31-08 @ 11:31 AM - 7 comments | Link
In a new interview with Time magazine, Harry Potter illustrator Mary GrandPre discussed the beginning of her work on the book series and the new anniversary cover art to be on shelves this September.
On returning to an 11-year-old Harry for the anniversary cover, GrandPre said, "It was really a nice opportunity. As Harry grew, I always wished I could go back and make a new piece for each book. So when the anniversary cover idea came up, I was really excited to do that. It's like getting to do a new portrait of this old soul you really know...
"The first cover was a designed cover, with a certain trendy feel to it. As you got to know him, it was more about depicting Harry as a real person. By the fifth cover, I was more interested in Harry on an emotional, personal level rather than creating a graphically designed, compositionally correct cover. I tried to bring that emotional and personal feeling to this anniversary cover."
The full interview, which is worth the read, is available here.
Rowling voted among most influential women
Posted By Matthew on 05-30-08 @ 10:14 PM - 3 comments | Link
According to a new poll, JK Rowling is considered the third most influential woman in the United Kingdom, coming in behind the Queen and former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Jo received 11% of the vote, to the Queen's 37% and Thatcher's 18%. She bested Victoria Beckham, Elisabeth Murdoch, and Kate Moss, among others.
Tony Blair and Gordon Brown (the former and current prime ministers) were voted the most influential men in the UK.
JKR writes 800-word HP prequel for auction
Posted By Matthew on 05-28-08 @ 10:49 PM - 30 comments | Link
Although she has long said that she would never write a Harry Potter prequel, it was announced today that JK Rowling has done just that, and the work will be up for auction in London next month. There's one catch, though: It's written on an index card and is only 800 words long.
Still, it's more than we ever expected to get as far as a prequel goes, but depending on who the highest bidder is, it's something that may yet elude our grasp. The proceeds from the auction will benefit two charities: English PEN, which promotes the freedom to write around the world, and Dyslexia Action.
According to Sotheby's auction house specialist Philip Errington, "There is just no telling how high the bidding might go."
Hurt may return as Ollivander in DH
Posted By Matthew on 05-27-08 @ 4:08 PM - 11 comments | Link
Actor John Hurt, who played the wandmaker Mr. Ollivander in the first Harry Potter movie, indicated in a new interview that he may reprise his role in the final film of the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. He said, "I didn't spend a lot of time on the Harry Potter film, but I might be spending more time there next time. We'll see."
This may be pure speculation on Hurt's part, as Ollivander reappeared in the final book, but the prospect is certainly a possibility.
JK Rowling biography wins in San Diego
Posted By Matthew on 05-26-08 @ 10:30 PM - 7 comments | Link
A biography of JK Rowling, written by Bradley Steffens, recently won the Theodor S. Geisel Award at the 14th annual San Diego Book & Writing Awards. The Geisel Award is given to the "best of the best" at the ceremony. More information on the book can be found at Amazon, and a complete list of award winners is available here.
Posted By Matthew on 05-24-08 @ 3:49 PM - 45 comments | Link
Some tragic news out of England today: Robert Knox, an 18 year-old actor who played Ravenclaw student Marcus Belby in Half-Blood Prince, was killed last night. Warner Bros. has issued a statement, saying, "We are all shocked and saddened by this news and at this time our sympathies are with his family."
We would like to extend our deepest condolences to Robert's friends and family in the wake of this horrible news.
Australian HP fan wins Amazon contest
Posted By Matthew on 05-23-08 @ 9:56 PM - 5 comments | Link
Last week, the Tales of Beedle the Bard contest was down to two finalists, and this week, Amazon has announced the winner: 16 year-old Rhiannon D. of Australia. She and a friend will win a trip to London to spend a weekend with JK Rowling's rare book, one of only seven copies in existence.
Rhiannon said, "I am so thankful and honored for all the votes I received from Amazon customers in this contest. I'm flattered that they felt my entry was worthy enough to win this fantastic prize. I can't believe I get to read this special book, and can't wait to spend a weekend with Beedle the Bard!"
'Half-Blood Prince:' It's a wrap!
Posted By Matthew on 05-22-08 @ 7:21 PM - 23 comments | Link
In addition to the HBP news, the latest post on Emma's site mentions that she is studying for her important A-level exams -- good luck to her as she prepares!
Special edition of SS to be released in Sept.
Posted By Matthew on 05-21-08 @ 3:38 PM - 11 comments | Link
Scholastic has announced that, four months from now, on September 23, it will release a special anniversary edition of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, complete with "exclusive bonus material from JK Rowling" along with new cover art by Mary Grandpré.
The new Grandpré art, which shows Harry gazing into the Mirror of Erised on the front and the first years' arrival at Hogwarts on the back, has been released online -- check it out!
When discussing the artwork, Mary Grandpré said,
"It's a real treat for me to get another chance to visually bring Harry back to his fans in not only a new scene, but in a new light. Going back to draw the first cover for the anniversary edition was an opportunity for me to show another side of Harry... a vulnerable side. Having come to know and love Harry the way we all have, after experiencing the whole series, I think we can appreciate him even more on an emotional level."
Tom Felton's music to be available on iTunes
Posted By Matthew on 05-19-08 @ 4:20 PM - 20 comments | Link
Over the past three months -- most recently, last week -- actor Tom Felton (who plays Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter movies) has posted several videos of himself performing his own songs on a guitar on his YouTube channel, Feltbeats. Now, in his latest video, Tom says that some of his songs will soon be available on iTunes.
We will update you with more information about the purchase of his songs when we have it, but for now, you can watch the videos on YouTube.
John Williams may score HBP
Posted By Matthew on 05-18-08 @ 6:40 PM - 22 comments | Link
An article in today's Boston Globe indicates that legendary composer John Williams, who scored the soundtracks for the first three Harry Potter movies, may return for the sixth film, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
It was believed that Nicholas Hooper, who was the Order of the Phoenix composer, would return in that role for HBP, which still may be the case. But regardless, we will keep you posted on HBP musical news at it emerges. Thanks to TLC for the heads up!
Possible new picture from 'Half-Blood Prince'
Posted By Matthew on 05-17-08 @ 9:15 AM - 21 comments | Link
A possible new picture from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince has emerged, showing Daniel Radcliffe opening a drawer. So far, it is unclear what context the photo was taken in and, therefore, its legitimacy as a photo from the sixth movie remains in doubt. Take a look here.
JKR voted Author of the Year
Posted By Matthew on 05-15-08 @ 8:38 PM - 5 comments | Link
Posted By Matthew on 05-14-08 @ 1:02 PM - 2 comments | Link
According to The Scotsman, filming on both segments of the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows movie will begin in Scotland "later this year." Half-Blood Prince will hit theatres on November 21, and typically, filming does not begin on upcoming sequels immediately, but it is not yet known what type of filming will take place this year (and whether it will include any actors).
The shooting is slated for Lochaber, Scotland, according to the Scottish Highlands and Islands Film Commission.
Vote on 'Beedle the Bard' finalists
Posted By Matthew on 05-13-08 @ 10:21 PM - 1 comments | Link
Amazon has announced the two finalists for its competition to spend a weekend in London with one of seven copies of JK Rowling's The Tales of Beedle the Bard. It's now up to the rest of the world to decide between Rhiannon D. from Australia (from the 13-17 age group) and Laura H. from the United States (from the 18+ age group).
Both finalists wrote a ballad relating the significance of the Harry Potter series in their lives, which can be read at Amazon's website. Click here to vote (through May 19).
Moaning Myrtle cut from 'Half-Blood Prince'
Posted By Matthew on 05-12-08 @ 9:54 PM - 18 comments | Link
Hamilton Hodell, the acting agency that represents Moaning Myrtle actress Shirley Henderson, has confirmed to SnitchSeeker that her character will not be included in the upcoming Half-Blood Prince movie. While Myrtle had a fun cameo in Goblet of Fire, she has not since appeared in the films.
Jessie Cave talks about HBP experience
Posted By Matthew on 05-10-08 @ 8:23 PM - 15 comments | Link
In a brief interview with a London magazine, actress Jessie Cave spoke about her experience as Lavender Brown in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
On her kissing scenes with Rupert Grint, she said, "It was a bit embarrassing. Our first screen kiss was on my third day of shooting. It's been an amazing experience though. I've been completely immersed in the Harry Potter world since filming started last year."
Posted By Matthew on 05-09-08 @ 11:46 PM - 26 comments | Link
Robert Pattinson, who played Cedric Diggory in the Goblet of Fire movie, is now starring as the vampire Edward in the film version of Stephenie Meyer's popular Twilight novel.
The teaser trailer for Twilight, which will hit theatres in December, was released this week -- check it out! Also, a video interview with Robert about the movie is up at G4.
Jo wins privacy case appeal
Posted By Matthew on 05-07-08 @ 8:19 PM - 14 comments | Link
JK Rowling was victorious today in a court appeal to prevent the further publication of a paparazzi photo of her son, a decision that will likely send the case to trial. Rowling had appealed the decision after the case was thrown out by a London court last year.
Jo and her husband Neil Murray issued a statement on the appeal decision, saying: "We are immensely grateful to the court for giving our children protection from covert, unauthorised photography; this ruling will make an immediate and material difference to their lives."
A judge reviewing the appeal, Anthony Clarke, explained his rationale for supporting Jo: "If a child of parents who are not in the public eye could reasonably expect not to have photographs of him published in the media, so too should the child of a famous parent."
The case will likely now head to trial. If Jo is successful at that stage, the decision could reverberate throughout the media by changing the rules for paparazzi.
Possible first look at Gaunt cottage
Posted By Matthew on 05-06-08 @ 7:23 PM - 24 comments | Link
CBBC Newsround has posted a photo and accompanying video footage of what they believe to be an aerial look -- the first of its kind -- at the Gaunt cottage in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. According to Newsround, "The photo taken from the air shows a rundown building which could well be the place where Voldemort's mother, Merope Gaunt, grew up."
Posted By Matthew on 05-05-08 @ 11:47 PM - 8 comments | Link
For the fourth time since 2004, both Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe have been honored with an Otto Award from Bravo magazine for Best Film Actress and Best Film Actor, respectively. Keira Knightley and Nora Tschirner came in behind Emma in the awards race.
Congratulations to them both!
Report: Young Lucius cast in HBP
Posted By Matthew on 05-03-08 @ 8:59 PM - 23 comments | Link
In the interview, Coburn said that he was offered the part without auditioning simply because he he bears a resemblance to Jason Isaacs. He has already shot his scenes in HBP, which take place at a dinner with Professor Slughorn (likely the flashback to Tom Riddle's questioning of Slughorn about Horcruxes) and following the scene on the lightning-struck tower.
Coburn said, "It's amazing to be in the film and I would never have imagined that I would feature in one, even though the part is small, it's still fantastic fun."
Posted By Matthew on 05-02-08 @ 7:09 PM - 13 comments | Link
William Moseley, the 20 year-old actor who plays Peter Pevensie in The Chronicles of Narnia, recalled in an interview today that he was considered for the role of Harry Potter back in 2000.
He said, "I was up for Harry Potter way, way back. But I don't quite fit the bill, I think. It would have been fun. But I was thinking the other day, if I could have chosen one part for myself, I would have chosen Peter every single time. It's a dream come true to play a part that's so heroic, and something that's successful that people like. It's such a privilege."
HP falls off NYT's best-seller list
Posted By Matthew on 05-01-08 @ 10:02 PM - 10 comments | Link
For the first time in 10 years, a Harry Potter title will not be among those gracing the New York Times's next bestseller list, to be published on May 11.
Sorcerer's Stone first appeared on the list on December 27, 1998, and within two years, the newspaper created a separate list for "children's books" because Rowling's books were eating up all of the top spaces on the regular list. Then, in 2004, they made another list for "children's book series" to break JKR's near-monopoly on the list. (Both are decisions with which we still disagree.)
This inevitable moment is sad, indeed, but a 10-year presence on the weekly best-seller lists is a stunning accomplishment.
OOTP to debut on HBO next month
Posted By Matthew on 04-30-08 @ 7:54 PM - 5 comments | Link
"Fine, I'll try and teach him again!" Snape snarled at Professor Dumbledore.
"Severus, please, for me, don't take all those old wounds that you gained from James out on Harry. Harry is not James - do not blame him for what happened." Dumbledore spoke quietly, but his blue eyes held a warning. Snape sighed in frustration...
Disclaimer: Veritaserum is run by fans and is for the fans. We are in no way official and are not affiliated with J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros., EA Games, Scholastic, or Bloomsbury. We do not own any of the characters in the books, movies, or games.
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