Wizarding World of Harry Potter Theme Park Construction Photos

An update on the construction of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction at Universal Orlando comes today via IOACentral, who has a batch of new images online revealing what looks to be one of the Hogsmeade Shops. The report notes these photos were taken "at a warehouse for one of the companies contracted to do work" on the theme park attraction. The report describes the detail on the shop as you get closer as "fantastic," and also reveals the shop is called "Spintwitches." You can view the full set of nine photos right here in our Image Galleries. At last word, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction is slated for a late 2009, early 2010 opening at Universal Resorts Orlando.

(SOURCE: THE LEAKY CAULDRON)

October Issue of "Details" Magazine Features Dan Radcliffe

The October issue of Details magazine will contain a new feature on actor Dan Radcliffe. The magazine, who sent us the new cover photo of Dan, which you can see here in our image galleries, also has the article online. In the new piece, which you can read via this link, Dan discusses both Potter and his upcoming appearance in the Broadway production of "Equus" which begins previews later this month. Of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," which begins filming next February, Dan, who has appeared as Harry Potter in all of the Harry Potter films, reflects on what it was like for him when he read the final installment in the Harry Potter series:

Radcliffe faced it alone first, when he began reading Deathly Hallows on a plane trip. "It was very emotional, actually," he says. "In the front of the book I wrote something Anton Chekhov wrote to the woman he ended up spending the rest of his life with: 'Hello, the last page of my life.' Which I thought was very appropriate."

On the subject of the upcoming stage appearance in New York with "Equus" Dan notes:

Radcliffe isn't just different from his peers; it's like he's of another generation. As he walks along Fifth Avenue, he describes the rush of playing a character as thrillingly alive as Alan Strang. "It's because he's absolutely living in the present," he says. "He can only live in the moment, to use a horrible, clichéd, boring phrase. 'In the moment.' It's like 'carpe diem.' After Dead Poets Society, everyone was like, 'Oh, carpe diem.' Shut up!"

Note to parents: slight language caution for younger children.

(SOURCE: THE LEAKY CAULDRON)

New Scans from 2009 HBP Calendar Include Attack on Burrow

New photos from the 2009 "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" calendar surfaced online today, and include this new look at the attack on the Burrow. The scene, which has been confirmed previously by the producers of the film, shows Arthur Weasley (Mark Williams), Remus Lupin (David Thewlis) and Harry (Dan Radcliffe), with a burning building and fire all around. Also of interest is this new photo of Draco (Tom Felton) and Bellatrix (Helena Bonham Carter), with the words "Unbreakable Vow" written in the corner, and some buildings behind them, possibly Spinner's End.

Additional new photos include a look at the staff of Hogwarts, including Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane), Snape (Alan Rickman) and Professor McGonagall (Dame Maggie Smith) along with Professor Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) who features in several other photos, including this one with what looks to be the ring that is the Horcrux, this with Harry and the cave in the background, and another with Harry and some vials for the Pensieve.

Actor Tom Felton as Draco Malfoy is featured in several other photos in this new calendar, including one with Snape here, one with Filch (David Bradley) here, and a photo where he is holding a bird. Finally, you can see the back of the calendar, and readers will note that two photos are shown including a lovelorn Ron, and one of Harry and Ginny, however these are not yet available online. We are hoping to obtain better scans of these and will update when we can.

(SOURCE: THE LEAKY CAULDRON)

Happy Birthday to J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter!

Happy, happy birthday to the two people who made all of our Harry Potter fun possible! J.K. Rowling and a.k.a "The Boy Who Lived" Harry Potter himself. Harry and J.K. share July 31st as their birthdays. What a coincidence huh? Anyway, happy birthday to the both of you! We love you!

J.K. Rowling's Charity to Publish "Beedle the Bard" in December

Today, on J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter’s birthdays, JKR has announced that her children’s charity, Children’s High Level Group, will publish The Tales of Beedle the Bard on December 4, in an exclusive deal with Bloomsbury, Scholastic and Amazon. (You can pre-order from Amazon now.)

Pre-order now through our Cauldron Shop: collector’s edition, standard edition.

According to a post on JKRowling.com, the book will have commentary by Dumbledore (it was “discovered in his papers after his death,” including historical notes, personal reminisces, and insights into the most mysterious branch of magic, wand lore). The tales were “translated from the original runes by Hermione Granger” and have illustrations by J.K. Rowling.

JKR: “There was understandable disappointment among Harry Potter fans when only one copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard was offered to the public last December. I am therefore delighted to announce that, thanks to the generous support of Bloomsbury, Scholastic and Amazon (who bought the handwritten copy at auction) – and with the blessing of the wonderful people who own the other six original books – The Tales of Beedle the Bard will now be widely available to all Harry Potter fans. Royalties will be donated to the Children’s High Level Group, to benefit institutionalised children in desperate need of a voice. The new edition will include the Tales themselves, translated from the original runes by Hermione Granger, and with illustrations by me, but also notes by Professor Albus Dumbledore, which appear by generous permission of the Hogwarts Headmasters’ Archive.”

The book’s proceeds will go to de-institutionalize children. Amazon will produce a maximum of 100,000 collector’s edition copies which will sell for about $100, and will aim to closely replicate the look and feel of the original copies that J.K. Rowling gave to six people closely associated with Potter last year.

All proceeds, expected to garner about 4 million pounds, will be donated to CHLG.

Emma Nicholson of the CLHG says: “We are so thrilled to be publishing such an exclusive and special book. This unique project will raise vital funds for the work of CHLG, to help us change the lives of hundreds of thousands of marginalised and institutionalised children who are living in appalling conditions, and make sure that no future generation suffers in this way.”

(SOURCE: THE LEAKY CAULDRON)

Direct links for "Half-Blood Prince" Teaser Trailer

Thanks to Warner Bros, who sent us a plethora of direct links to the brand new teaser trailer for "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," including an iPod friendly version, plus High Def links for Quicktime and Windows Media as seen below. Enjoy!

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HIGH DEF QUICKTIME
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(SOURCE: THE LEAKY CAULDRON)