Harry Potter: A Look Back

Harry Potter: It All Ends

Please see the video below for the touching ending to the 10 years of incredible work done by the
Harry Potter cast and crew.
IT ALL ENDS!

Harry Potter: It All Ends

Emotional Goodbyes

J.K. Rowling, Dan Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint Give Emotional Goodbye to 'Potter' Series

J.K. Rowling, Dan Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint Give Emotional Goodbye to 'Potter' Series

Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Gambon Comments on Radcliffe's Horseplay

It seems we missed a short quip in Time magazine recently from Michael Gambon (Dumbledore), who commented on co-star Daniel Radcliffe's choice to run naked across the stage in "Equus," which opened this week:

You're a theater actor. How has playing Dumbledore changed your fan base?

I was in the makeup chair recently, and someone brought in two kids. I peeled the beard off, and they started crying. They couldn't believe what they were seeing.

What do you make of Daniel Radcliffe's stage debut in Equus?

He's growing up. He's a proper theater actor now. He's naked in this thing, so all the girls will go out and see it. I'd be frightened running around the stage with nothing on at all. When you stop running, one thing keeps moving. I bet he didn't think of that.

(SOURCE:
HPANA)

J.K. Rowling Speaks Out on MS Treatments

J.K. RowlingAuthor J.K.Rowling is speaking out again on an issue near and dear to her, Multiple Sclerosis, and the potential loss of access to a drug which helps fight in the battle against this disease. Jo, who is a patron of MS Society Scotland, is protesting a proposal by the Scottish Medicines Consortium which feels that a certain type of medicine should no longer be prescribed to patients due to high costs. The drug, Tysabri, which costs "£15,000 a year per patient," is used to treat an aggressive form of MS. Jo is asking the group to reconsider their proposal and says :

"I know from personal experience that MS can have a devastating effect on everyone who comes into contact with it. My mother suffered terribly with MS and it was so frustrating that there was little or nothing doctors could do to help her.

"If a drug can help tackle MS - particularly the very aggressive type of relapsing MS we are talking about - it should not be ruled out because of cost alone.

"Once again, decisions about treatment are being made by accountants rather than clinicians, and I hope MSPs will speak up on behalf of the thousands of families affected by MS across Scotland,"
Rowling said.

(SOURCE:
THE LEAKY CAULDRON)

New Video Interviews with Dan Radcliffe Online

Equus PosterIn the wake of the official opening of the play Equus in London last night, new video interviews with actor Dan Radcliffe (Harry Potter) about his play are now starting to appear online today. The first is now up on the BBC website, and you may watch this interview, which also features quotes from some of the celebrity guests at last night's opening, here.

Update:Jas from DanRadcliffeonline.com let us know about the following addtional interviews :
CNN.In this interview, actor Richard Griffiths (Uncle Vernon) denies the story from a few days ago that claimed the actor had to climb out a window to avoid fans at the stage door. ITNKameraAlso HPSorcery.co.uk now has the GMTV interview online as well.

Update 2: MSNBC has a good interview,
here. (At link, click on the word 'launch" to view-video takes a few minutes to load)

(SOURCE:
THE LEAKY CAULDRON)

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Potter Fans Mob "Equus" Actors at Stage Door

Equus PosterEager Harry Potter fans hoping to meet and speak with actors Dan Radcliffe and Richard Griffiths after a performance of their play "Equus" caused quite the commotion the other night in London. The Times is reporting that the crowds grew so large, at one point with over 450 fans gathered around the stage exit door, that several of the actors were forced to flee through a window (including Richard Griffiths), and police were called to disperse the eager fans. The article says:

"David Pugh, the play’s producer said: “Richard and Jenny had to get out through the side window by the box office on Rupert Street.”

For Griffiths, the award-winning star of Alan Bennett’s The History Boys, this proved a particularly delicate task. “You try to get Richard Griffiths out of a back window,” Mr Pugh said. “It was a bit touch and go.”

However, the paper reports for the most part Harry Potter fans are behaving well, and for those who are attending and hoping to meet and/or obtain an autograph from Mr. Radcliffe (Harry Potter) or Mr. Griffiths (Uncle Vernon), the article also states "Those brandishing Harry Potter memorabilia are moved on."

Mr Pugh estimates that half the audience in the previews was made up of “people that don’t go to the theatre. "It was only after Peter Shaffer approved Daniel’s casting that we thought, ‘Ooh, what about the Harry Potter fans?’. We were incredibly nervous about security and we consulted the Rolling Stones security team. They told us to chill out. My main concern was that the sort of audience we would be getting might be a touch rock’n’roll, a touch Take That — the sort of people who didn’t understand theatre etiquette. But, touch wood, there has not been a single giggle or whoop or cheer.” During the nude scene, Mr Pugh said, “you could hear a pin drop."

Please note as well cameras are being confiscated if you try to take them into the theater with you. Equus officially opens tonight in London.

(SOURCE: THE LEAKY CAULDRON)

New Umbridge, Harry, Weasley Twins Photo from OotP

There is a new image online today of Professor Umbridge as seen in the upcoming Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix film. In this photo, here, you can see a pink robed Professor Umbridge (Imelda Staunton) standing in a classroom, with Harry Potter (Dan Radcliffe) and Fred and George Weasley (James and Oliver Phelps) sitting at their desks. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix will be released in theaters July 13, 2007.

(SOURCE:
THE LEAKY CAULDRON)

Monday, February 26, 2007

New Dan Radcliffe Interview in the Telegraph, Makes New Forbes List

There are several pieces of news related to actor Dan Radcliffe for you today.

First, the Telegraph newspaper has another new interview with the Harry Potter actor who gives some thoughts as his new play "
Equus" is set to officially open to the public tomorrow in London. In this article, Dan Radcliffe addresses his career choices as an actor, and taking on a part in this serious play.

"JR Maiming a horse is a far cry from riding a hippogriff, isn't it?

DR Completely. There came a point on the third Potter film when I thought, acting is what I want to do. I thought it would be a bad idea to wait till the Potter films were all finished to do something else. There are certain people who will be more than happy to see you in any other role you like, and there will be some who will never, ever see you as anything other than Harry Potter. Once you've accepted that, it's fine - you just do whatever you like. With this, they can say I'm good or terrible but the one thing they can't say is I haven't challenged myself."

In a second piece of news, Forbes has released another list, this time of "
Young Hollywood's Top-Earning Stars." Dan Radcliffe is ranked at the number two spot, with the magazine saying Dan earned $13 million (USD) for his role in the upcoming Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Additional quotage:

Rank: 2
Estimated earnings: $13 million
Age: 17
Profession: Actor

Wizardry and witchcraft have never been an especially lucrative field. Not so for this British teen. His salary for portraying Harry Potter in the film adaptations of J.K. Rowling's wildly successful novels has reportedly increased fiftyfold since The Sorcerer's Stone in 2001. (He is rumored to get a slice of merchandising revenues off the next flick.) Radcliffe's pared-down performance in the British stage revival of "Equus"--he appears nude at one point--is already cultivating him legions of, ahem, more-mature fans.

(SOURCE: THE LEAKY CAULDRON)

Saturday, February 24, 2007

'HBP' to Be Filmed in Ireland?

According to a report on an Irish web site, scouts from Warner Bros. have recently visited Ireland viewing possible locations to film Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.

The report states that Warner Bros. are interested in finding new locations because they have now exhausted possible locations in Britain.

Of course, as always, please treat this as a rumor until confirmed and we will update accordingly.

(SOURCE:
HPANA)

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Young Marauders & More Images from 'OotP'

Dumbledore's Army
Two new images from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix have appeared online featuring a young Snape as well as one of the young marauders.

Thanks to
HarryLatino for the images.

UPDATE: Once again thanks to
HarryLatino for letting us know about an image featuring a younger version of the Order.

UPDATE II: Another picture featuring
Harry can be found on UHP, you can also view a new picture of Tonks here.

(SOURCE:
HPANA)

Sunday, February 18, 2007

WB Debunks Rumors of Firing Dan

Equus PosterDue to the recent press coverage of Daniel Radcliffe's controversial play Equus, the possibility of Warner Bros. firing the actor have triggered the rumor mill. However, the company responsible for the Harry Potter movies have issued an official press release fully supporting Daniel's choice of appearing in the play.

Daniel Radcliffe is an extremely talented actor, as well as a great collaborator and friend to Warner Bros. Pictures. We've had great experiences working with him on our films and fully support him in the artistic choices he makes as an actor.

(SOURCE:
HPANA)

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Production Begins on 'Half-Blood Prince' Movie

In an interview with Newsweek about changes to the Harry Potter set, artistic director Stuart Craig mentioned that he's already started working on the sixth movie, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince:

Craig is now designing sets for the sixth film, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," including the astronomy tower where a beloved character will plummet to his death. "It has to be impressive and beautiful and poignant," Craig says. "So I'm looking forward to doing that." He's also anxious to get his hands on J. K. Rowling's seventh, and final, book in the series, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," due in stores July 21, one week after "Phoenix" hits screens. "I can't wait," he says. "We need to know which sets to retain for the last film." Not that he'll get an early peek. "I never have before," he says, and laughs. "I just have to go to the bookshop" — like every other fan.

(SOURCE:
VERITASERUM)

Saturday, February 10, 2007

First Look at Ministry of Magic in OOTP

Harry Potter in the Ministry of Magic
Newsweek has posted several new pictures from the upcoming Order of the Phoenix movie, giving us our first look at the atrium to the Ministry of Magic, Harry in the Department of Mysteries, and Harry during an Occlumency lesson. They write:

Like a dark, glittering cathedral buried beneath the streets of London, the atrium to the Ministry of Magic is the largest set ever built for a 'Harry Potter' film. This setting for the film's climactic battle is a massive 210 feet long, and will be extended digitally to look even larger. 'It's an underground city, really,' says production designer Stuart Craig. 'It's absolutely cavernous.'

(SOURCE:
VERITASERUM)

Saturday, February 03, 2007

$65 Harry Potter Edition Topping Charts

Harry Potter and the Deathly HallowsIt's months away from being on bookshelves, but fans can't get enough of the seventh — and final — book, no matter the cost.

Not only is "Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows" topping the charts of
Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.com, a deluxe edition, priced at $65, is No. 2, outselling the "You" diet book, Sen. Barack Obama and an Oprah Winfrey endorsed memoir by Sidney Poitier.

Publicist Kyle Good of Scholastic Inc., the U.S. publisher of J.K. Rowling's fantasy series, said Saturday that a similar deluxe edition of Potter 6, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," had sold around 100,000 copies.

The deluxe "Half-Blood Prince," according to Scholastic, includes a 32-page insert of art and illustrations, a "custom-designed slipcase," and a "full-cloth case book, blind-stamped on front and back cover, foil stamped on spine."

Barnes & Noble.com shoppers can get a bit of a break on the deluxe "Deathly Hallows," which the superstore was offering for a mere $45.50. The regular edition has a list price of $34.99, although Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com were selling it for $18.89. Wal-Mart had it at $17.27.
Many stores said they don't make money on the Potter books, but hope instead that customers will make additional purchases.

Rowling announced Thursday that "Deathly Hallows" would come out July 21. The previous six books have sold more than 325 million copies in 64 languages and broken countless sales records. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," published in 2005, had an announced first U.S. printing of 10.8 million copies and sold 6.9 million copies in its first 24 hours.

(SOURCE:
YAHOO! ENTERTAINMENT NEWS)

Followup: JKR Signed Statue Reported to be of Hermes

There is a bit more information today about that statue J.K.Rowling signed in a hotel room in Edinburgh stating that she finished Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows on January 11. The Scotsman reports today the statue is a bust of the Greek god Hermes. (A fun fact for Potter fans is that Hermes is of course the name of owl belonging to Percy Weasley.) The newspaper reports the statue is being kept hidden away, and there are no plans to make the room where Jo completed the final Harry Potter novel into any sort of shrine or tourist attraction.

"It was hotel property. We have many different antique artefacts within the hotel," said the spokeswoman. The bust was believed to be of the Greek god Hermes, not Emperor Hadrian as first thought."

As we first reported and
later confirmed to TLC, Jo did sign this statue, which you can see here, at the famous Balmoral hotel in Edinburgh, Scotland upon completion of Book Seven. As noted yesterday as well, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows has been turned into the US and UK publishers, and Jo and co. are currently editing the novel. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will be released on July 21, 2007.

(SOURCE:
THE LEAKY CAULDRON)

Friday, February 02, 2007

Harry Potter's Last Hurrah

**********************SPOILER WARNING**********************


THE ARTICLE BELOW CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE. IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE BOOK, YOU MIGHT WANT TO PASS ON THIS ARTICLE.


Harry Potter and the Deathly HallowsLet it begin: the countdown, the party planning, the predictions, the meaning of it all.

The tears - for the end of Harry Potter.

The world's most anticipated book finale, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, will come out midnight, July 21, according to author J.K. Rowling and her Canadian publisher, Raincoast Books, British publisher, Bloomsbury and U.S. publisher, Scholastic Inc. Ten years, and a few hundred million sales after the first Potter book was released, Rowling will wrap up the magical adventures of the boy wizard, his friends and his enemies.

The author posted a brief announcement on her website yesterday, followed soon by releases from her publishers.

The news landed like a silent meteor. Deathly Hallows almost instantly topped the bestseller lists on Amazon.com and Barnes&Noble.com, displacing another industry titan, an Oprah Winfrey pick, Sidney Poitier's The Measure of a Man.


ECSTATIC MESSAGES

Potter readers, who had speculated the book might be published July 7 (7/7/07 for the seventh book) or July 31 (Harry's birthday), posted dozens of ecstatic messages on the Potter fan site, www.the-leaky-cauldron.org, within minutes of the announcement.

"OMGOMGOMGOMG!!!!!!!!! I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS!!!!" read one typical message.

Other comments were sadder, noting the series' conclusion. "I can't wait to read the book, but at the same time, I'm afraid to read it," read a message from a fan named Christine, who identified herself as a "thirtysomething" mom. "I can't stand the thought of anything happening to the characters that I've grown to love! What an odd feeling."

Christine and others have a lot to look forward to - and to fear. Rowling's stories have darkened considerably since the first release, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, and the author has said two characters will be killed off in Book 7.

"I don't always enjoy killing my characters. I didn't enjoy killing the character who died at the end of Book 6," Rowling said during a reading last summer at Radio City Music Hall, declining to name that person in case someone had yet to finish the book.

"I really didn't enjoy doing that, but I had been planning that for years so it wasn't quite as poignant as you might imagine. I'd already done my grieving when I actually came to write it."

Rowling left millions sobbing at the end of Book 6, with a death and Harry's decision to take on the evil Lord Voldemort. Other cliffhangers for the faithful:

- Who is R.A.B., the mysterious person who took one of the magical items Harry has been searching for? And what did he do with it? And where are the other ones?

- Will Harry and Ginny ever be able to be together?

UNANSWERED QUESTIONS

Still more unanswered questions: How many copies of Deathly Hallows will be printed and how many pages does it run? Amazon.ca immediately announced that customers can pre-order the book for about $24 US. Indigo Books and Music Inc. was taking pre-orders as well.

Raincoast said that the book would sell at a suggested retail price of $45 - $4 more than for Potter 6, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, suggesting the book will likely match or exceed the 600-plus page length of previous releases.

Since Rowling first introduced Harry and his fellow students at Hogwarts to the world 10 years ago, the books have sold more than 325 million copies in 64 languages, broken countless sales records and shattered assumptions that young people, especially boys, don't like to read. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, published in 2005, had an announced first U.S. printing of 10.8 million copies and sold 6.9 million copies in its first 24 hours.

Rowling fiercely guards the plot twists in each book.

Four hit movies already have been adapted from the Potter books. The fifth film, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, is scheduled to come out July 13, just eight days before the release of Deathly Hallows.

(SOURCE:
THE EDMONTON SUN)

Fans Make Their Plans for Harry Potter and the Final Act

Harry Potter and the Deathly HallowsDiehard fans will be planning just how they can get to the head of the queue at midnight on July 21 - named yesterday on JK Rowling's website as publication day for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the final book in the series.

Bookshops were braced for the now traditional witching hour scrum and at least one said it planned to set up a helpline for fans after Rowling warned that two characters die in the final instalment - and hinted that they are central figures.

Debbie Williams, of Waterstones, said: "This could be a similar moment to when Take That split up - there could be a lot of upset teenagers out there."

The most recent book, Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince, the sixth in the series, broke UK records by selling 2,009,574 copies on its first day of release. Booksellers are predicting that the Deathly Hallows might yet outstrip that figure.

It is 10 years since the first book, Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone, was published. Since then the series has gone on to sell 325m copies worldwide and has been translated into 64 languages.

The first four books have been turned into successful films, with Daniel Radcliffe as the boy wizard. The film version of Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix will be released on July 13, making it a busy month for fans of the saga.

Online retailer amazon.co.uk began taking pre-orders for the final book on December 22. Christopher North, head of books, said July 21 would become Harry Potter Day all over the world. "Customer demand on the back of JK Rowling's announcement of the title back in December was incredible. At one point, the orders we received for the book were more than five times higher than those for the rest of the top 20 selling books combined," he said.

"Now that the publication date has been announced, we expect another massive surge of pre-orders from the UK public. It may be a long time before we see another book that commands as much anticipation, attention and demand as this final book in the Harry Potter series."

Waterstone's is also predicting a record-breaking rush for the book. "Not only will this be the biggest-selling book, it will also break all records to become the fastest-selling book of all time," said children's books manager Wayne Winstone.

The chain expects to sell half a million copies on the first day alone. "There are not many people who want to wait weeks to find out what happens and risk hearing the news from their friends," he said.

(SOURCE:
GUARDIAN UNLIMITED)

Amazon.com Deluged By 'Harry Potter' Preorders

Harry Potter and the Deathly HallowsAmazon.com Inc. said on Friday first-day advance orders for "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," the seventh and last installment of J.K. Rowling's successful book series, were 547 percent higher than for its predecessor.

Thursday's pre-orders for "Deathly Hallows" exceeded the first two weeks of pre-orders for its predecessor, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," Seattle-based Amazon said. "Half-Blood Prince," released in July 2005, generated more than 1.5 million pre-orders on Amazon, the online retailer said.

The final Harry Potter book is slated for release on July 21. Scholastic Corp. publishes the book in the United States, while Bloomsbury Publishing handles the book in Great Britain.

(SOURCE:
PC MAGAZINE)

British Bookstore Plans Helpline for Distressed Potter Fans

London, Feb 3. (PTI): A British book retailer is planning to set up a helpline for fans of Harry Potter because two popular characters in the J K Rowling saga will die in the final installment.

"This could be a similar moment to when Take That (a pop band) split up - there could be a lot of upset teenagers out there. We are looking to set up a helpline for them," Debbie Williams of the book chain Waterstone's was quoted as saying by The Daily Telegraph.

The book chain forecast that the seventh and final edition of the Harry Potter series - 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows' would not only become the best selling Harry Potter title but the biggest selling book in history.

The final book in the wizard series will be published at midnight on July 21.

(SOURCE:
THE HINDU NEWS)

Potter Author Signs Off in Style

Balmoral Hotel
Author JK Rowling scribbled a note to fans on a marble bust in the Edinburgh hotel room where she finished her final Harry Potter novel.

The millionaire left the message after completing the book at the city's five-star Balmoral Hotel.

In black marker on an antique-style statue, she wrote: "JK Rowling finished writing Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows in this room on 11 Jan 2007."

The hotel confirmed the Edinburgh-based author signed a bust in the hotel.

However the spokeswoman for the 188-room city centre Balmoral, where rates range from £290 to £1,575 a night, refused to say which room the author had stayed in.

A spokeswoman for the author said: "We can confirm JK Rowling did write some of the book at the Balmoral last month and did complete the book at that hotel."

The writer announced on Thursday that the seventh and final instalment in the series, which will follow Harry during his final year at Hogwarts, would be published on 21 July.

As a single mother on benefits more than a decade ago, Rowling used to visit cafes not too far from the Balmoral while penning the first book, Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone.
Since then, the author, who lives in Edinburgh with her husband, Dr Neil Murray, and their three children, has sold 325 million books and earned an estimated £520m.

(SOURCE:
BBC NEWS)

Confirmed: "Deathly Hallows" Finished January 11

Harry Potter and the Deathly HallowsNow that we have an official date for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows of July 21, 2007, it was only a matter of time before a variety of stories about the highly anticipated novel begin to hit online, including one making the rounds in the UK tabloids today regarding when the book was written and a writing on the back of a statue. We can now update that this has been confirmed to Leaky, as well as seen in this article from the BBC where reps for JKR state that Jo did in fact stay at the Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh and complete Book Seven there. Quotage:

"We can confirm JK Rowling did write some of the book at the Balmoral last month and did complete the book at that hotel."

There was also this earlier report from
The Sun that had Jo writing a message on the back of a statue in the hotel that read "J.K. Rowling finished writing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in this room (652) on 11th Jan 2007." You can see a photo of this here in our galleries. This part about the writing on the statue has also been confirmed. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will be released on July 21, 2007.

(SOURCE:
THE LEAKY CAULDRON)

CBBC Newsround: JKR Editing "Deathly Hallows"

Harry Potter and the Deathly HallowsFollowing on the earlier report today confirming the story regarding JKR completing "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" at a hotel in Edinburgh, Scotland, CBBC Newsround is is also now reporting that the book has "has been delivered to the companies who publish her books in the UK and America." More importantly, they report that Jo

"... is "busy editing", the process where she goes through the story with someone from her publishers to see if any small alterations are needed before it's printed.

There's no information yet about how long the book will be.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will be released on July 21, 2007

(SOURCE:
THE LEAKY CAULDRON)

Dan: Equus "Is A Massive Leap"

Daniel Radcliffe
In the first interview with Harry Potter actor Dan Radcliffe since the release of promotional pictures from his upcoming play Equus, he comments on participating and preparing for the play, as well as his admiration for others who have done the same. He also touches on school, friends and upcoming projects.

Dan's comment when asked about embarrassment:

We've done the scene a couple of times in rehearsal. I had no particular qualms. There's nothing that would stop me getting my kit off if that's what the work demands. The key to serious acting is to lose your inhibitions, to become free and fearless.

I feel OK about my body. Not totally, of course, no one my age does ... but I've gone to the gym to make sure. And many of the actors I admire, like Gary Oldman, have gone naked.

When asked if kids should see Equus:

I don't see any reason why you shouldn't bring kids because of people taking their clothes off, or because of violence to horses.

But - and I don't want to insult the intelligence of children - really, a play about the nature of psychiatry? Do you think a five-year-old would be interested?

You can see the promotional pictures
here.

(SOURCE:
HPANA)

Thursday, February 01, 2007

Rowling Unveils Last Potter Date

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
The last instalment of the Harry Potter saga will be published on 21 July, author JK Rowling has announced.

She confirmed the date fans will be able to get their hands on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows on her website.

Rowling has said two characters die in the final book and fans are wondering whether Harry is one of them.

The Potter books have sold 325 million copies worldwide, have been translated into 64 languages and spawned five blockbuster movies.

This is the 10th anniversary of the first book of the hugely successful series being published.

The release date was announced on Rowling's wizard-themed websiteShops opened at midnight and queues formed when the last book, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, was released.

It sold 2,009,574 copies in Britain on the first day of its release, publisher Bloomsbury said.

The firm said it would publish a children's hardback edition, an adult hardback, a special gift edition and an audio book on the same day.

As well as making Rowling a dollar billionaire, the books have been credited with bringing children back to reading and reviving the British film industry.

When asked about Harry's fate, Rowling has said she could understand authors who killed off their characters, to stop others writing new adventures.

'Much anticipation

But she admitted being worried about the reaction from fans if the boy wizard came to a sticky end.

Rowling always made it clear the series would be in seven parts and much of the plot was almost set in stone.

In a recent web posting, she said: "I'm now writing scenes that have been planned, in some cases, for a dozen years or even more."

The latest film based on the books, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix will be released in the UK on 13 July 2007.

Wayne Winstone, children's manager for Waterstone's book store, said: "Not only will this be the biggest selling book, it will also break all records to become the fastest selling book of all time."
"There are not many people who want to wait to find out what happens and risk hearing the news from their friends."

Head of books at online retailer Amazon, Christopher North, said: "It may be a long time before we see another book that commands as much anticipation, attention and demand as this final book in the Harry Potter series."

E-mails sent to the BBC backed up this sense of excitement.

"Heck, yeah! The party to end all parties - I am NOT missing that, I've been imagining the moment since I was eight!" wrote one fan.


THE COMPLETE HARRY POTTER (Release dates of the hard back editions in the U.S.)
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in the US) (Sept. 1998)
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (June 2, 1999)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Sept. 8, 1999)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (July 30 2002)
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (August 10, 2004)
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (July 16, 2005)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (July 21, 2007)

(SOURCE:
BBC NEWS)