Emma Watson Comments on "Half-Blood Prince" Delay

At the recent National Movie Awards, actress Emma Watson made very brief comments to reporters on the red carpet regarding the delay of "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince." In this video via YouTube, Emma can be heard saying what while she feels they have done the right thing for the movie, she also appeared sympathetic as she noted it was terrible that fans don't get an installment in the series this year and that the suspense will make it even better once we get to see it. Emma has also updated her blog at her official website noting how much fun she had at the movie awards. You can see photos of Emma at the event here in our image galleries, new photos at her official site taken by her father, and additional videos of Emma at the awards ceremony via our Order parter Emma-Watson.net.

(SOURCE: THE LEAKY CAULDRON)

Watson: 'Next Potter is a Romantic Comedy'

Emma Watson has likened upcoming movie Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince to a romantic comedy.

Speaking at the National Movie Awards, Watson said fans can expect a funnier film than the previous instalments.

"It's got Ron's first kiss with Lavender in it, which is quite big news," she said. "It's much more of a romantic comedy, it's much funnier than any of the other ones. "It's a lot more fun. It's still dark but it's funnier."

Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince is scheduled for release next July.

(SOURCE: DIGITAL SPY [via WIZARD NEWS])

Ralph Fiennes: "Indications that it'll happen" for Return in "Deathly Hallows"

Ralph Fiennes has given a new interview to Entertainment Weekly, where the actor reflects on his role as Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter series. He also speaks favorably regrading the question about his appearance in the final two Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows films by saying: “I’m not officially contracted to the last ones, but I think that’s in the cards,” he said. “I want to do it. It’s just that they haven’t got a script yet, so the deal side of it isn't in place. But the indications are that it'll happen."

In addition, Ralph Fiennes gives general comments on acting in the Harry Potter films, and the challenges of bringing levels and nuances to such a villainous character as Lord Voldemort. Quotage: “That’s actually the hardest to do because you have to personify evil, and there’s such a history of clichés and villains and monsters,” he said. “You’ve got to struggle not to play all the obvious notes. And with such extreme makeup, such an extreme look — that’s the challenge. Also, the style of the movies is so strong. The movie itself is its own machine, and you’ve got to fulfill a function of a bigger machine. It would be good to keep the sense of some kind of real psychology going on, even in all the special effects and everything.”

On a related note, you can see multiple new photos of Ralph Fiennes here in our image galleries, as his newest film, "The Duchess," screened recently at the Toronto Film Festival.

(SOURCE: THE LEAKY CAULDRON)

HBP Pushback: Video Game Delayed, WSJ Article

When Warner Brothers announced that they'd be moving Half-Blood Prince to 2009, many wondered what would happen to the film's video game that was scheduled for a November release.

Today, EA officially announced that the game will be delayed until Summer '09. With the announcement came two sets of remarks; one of which belonging to film producer David Heyman:

"We have enjoyed a wonderful partnership with EA in collaborating on the videogames for all of the Harry Potter films. The visual look of the game for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is incredibly authentic to the film and will provide a truly compelling experience for everyone who plays.”

Also today, the Wall Street Journal published an article detailing how fans reacted to the movie delay. This news poster was quoted in the article, as was Melissa from Leaky and several other fans.

(SOURCE: MUGGLENET)

Narnia and HP Stars at Festival

Stars from the Narnia and Harry Potter movies will be getting together this weekend.

They're going to the Thames Festival in London, to give fans a chance to find out more about their fave films.

Anna Popplewell who plays Susan Pevensie, will be chatting to festival-goers about the Chronicles of Narnia.

And Oliver and James Phelps - better known as the Weasley twins - will be giving people a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Harry Potter.

They'll be joined by the stars of the small screen too, including Daniel Anthony, who plays Clyde in The Sarah Jane Adventures.

Budding reporters and camera operators can also test their skills in the special Newsround studio, and find out more about how the programme is made.

Movies

The Mayor's Thames Festival takes place on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th September, and the CBBC Experience tent will be on Jubilee Gardens, next to the London Eye.

Movie-making sessions are free, and are taking place from 12 pm until 7 'o' clock, but you need to book a place to take part.

(SOURCE: CBBC NEWSROUND)

Breaking: Rowling wins in Lexicon case

Ruling that a proposed book form of the Harry Potter Lexicon would cause JK Rowling irreparable harm as a writer, U.S. District Judge Robert P. Patterson today ruled in favor of Rowling in her long-standing lawsuit against RDR Books and the Lexicon. Patterson permanently blocked publication of the book and awarded $6,750 in statutory damages to Rowling and Warner Bros.

Jo released a statement, saying, "I took no pleasure at all in bringing legal action and am delighted that this issue has been resolved favorably. I went to court to uphold the right of authors everywhere to protect their own original work. The court has upheld that right.

"The proposed book took an enormous amount of my work and added virtually no original commentary of its own... Many books have been published which offer original insights into the world of Harry Potter. The Lexicon just is not one of them."

While Patterson said that, in general, reference guides to books should be encouraged, in this instance, the "Lexicon appropriates too much of Rowling's creative work for its purposes as a reference guide."

(SOURCE: VERITASERUM)