Brendan Gleeson Completes Filming as Mad-Eye for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

The mighty Auror has fallen and his journey in the magical world is now complete. This word comes as actor Brendan Gleeson has announced he has finished his role as legendary Auror Mad-Eye Moody in the upcoming Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Noting that he completed filming less than two weeks ago, the Hollywood Reporter cites "Gleeson noted he just wrapped filming "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1" and bid farewell to his Mad-Eye Moody. "I waved goodbye to him a week and a half ago. It was great fun, playing Mad-Eye was a hoot."

Actor Brendan Gleeson made these remarks in the press room last night as he was celebrating his win at the Emmys as "Best Actor in a Mini-series" for his role as Winston Churchill in the HBO special "Into the Storm." You can see photos of the actor at the Emmy Awards here from Getty. Congratulations Brendan Gleeson!

(SOURCE: THE LEAKY CAULDRON)

Confirmed! Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince DVD Due December 8

For months (starting in June, again in July) we've been reporting the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince DVD would be out this December, despite reports that official dates would not be released until the last possible moment. Today, Warner Bros has announced that yes indeed the DVD will be released here in the US on December 8th. Thanks to DVDTimes, we can see more looks at the officially confirmed artwork at this link. Update: Artwork nowhere and here and high res back cover in our galleries. As noted several times before, the DVD will be released on Blu-Ray, 2-Disc, a special combo set and standard one disc editions.

A reminder too that as first reported here, the DVD will contain the special J.K.Rowling, A Year in the Life documentary, several deleted scenes (list here) as well as cast interviews, a feature on the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park attraction, and behind the scenes look at the making of HBP. Update: Again as TLC first reported, these items are now confirmed to be on the Half-Blood Prince DVD as Video Business reports:

Half-Blood Prince will street as a single DVD ($28.98), a two-DVD special edition ($34.99) and a Blu-ray Combo Pack ($35.99).The Blu-ray version will include the WB Maximum Movie Mode with the stars, director and producers, and BD Live with Facebook Connect, with which fans can invite their Facebook friends to a BD Live Community Screening. Both the Blu-ray and two-DVD editions will include digital copy, as well as featurettes on the cast and crew, the life of books series author J.K. Rowling, additional scenes and a sneak peek at the Universal Orlando Resort's The Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park.

DVD Town also gives new details on a few of the bonus features:

Close-Up with the Cast and Crew of Harry Potter: Hosts Matthew Lewis ("Neville Longbottom") and Alfred Enoch ("Dean Thomas") lead us on an entertaining look at the cast of Harry Potter as they explore their interests away from acting and spend a day on set with the production team (28:30)

• One Minute Drills: The cast has 60 seconds to describe their character's personality, history, relationships and other traits before time runs out (6:43)

• What's On Your Mind: Hosted by Tom Felton, the cast is put on the spot when asked a series of rapid-fire questions on their likes and dislikes. (6:41)

(SOURCE: THE LEAKY CAULDRON)

High Res Artwork, New Chris Columbus In Movie Experience on Ultimate Collections Editions

Thanks to WB we now have some gorgeous high res artwork of the Ultimate Collector's Editions:
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone cover, backcover, complete collection large, super highres
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets cover, backcover, complete collection large, super hr

In addition there are a slew of specific details for each of the disc, notable that the Blu-Ray editions of the two will include (finally) an in-movie experience with director Chris Columbus which is described in the formal release as "An interactive viewer experience where the entire film is examined; includes PiP, Storyboard Comparisons, Still Galleries." Also notable on the Blu-ray are "cast walk-ons, focus points, graphics and more"

The release, here and here, contains the following (and very lengthy) details as follows for Sorcerer's Stone, and then for Chamber of Secret. Again, these will be available here in US on DECEMBER 8TH.

ULTIMATE COLLECTION, SORCERER'S STONE

• 
  
• Introduction by Daniel Radcliffe - An introduction to the many special features for the Harry Potter films (new)
• 
  
• Creating the World of Harry Potter, Part 1: The Magic Begins: discover the story of how one vision for the Harry Potter films came together out of limitless possibilities to create the visual world we have come to know and love (new)
• 
  
• In-Movie Experience with Director Chris Columbus: an interactive viewer experience where the entire film is examined; includes PiP, storyboard comparisons, still galleries (BD exclusive)
• 
  
• WB Maximum Movie Mode picture-in-picture programming, cast walk-ons, focus points, graphics and more (BD exclusive)
• 
  
• Diagon Alley
• 
  
• Tour the Gryffindor Common Room, Harry's Room and the Great Hall - Welcome to the self-guided tour of Hogwarts, home of witches and wizards in training, and take in the sights.
• 
  
• Classrooms:
  • Defense against the Dark Arts
  • Spells and Charms
  • Potions
  • Transfiguration
  • Third Floor Corridor
  • 
    
  • Deleted Scenes
• 
  
• Sorting Hat
• 
  
• Library
  • 
    
  • Gallery of Art & Architecture
  • 
    
  • Hogwarts Yearbook
  • 
    
  • Guide to Ghosts - Discover the many marvelous and mysterious ghosts of Hogwarts.
• Hogwarts Grounds
  • 
    
  • Quaffle and Bludger: get a lesson from Oliver Wood on how to play Quidditch
  • 
    
  • Tour Hagrid's Hut: welcome to the self-guided tour of Hagrid's Hut, home of Rubeus Hagrid, the Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts, and his faithful companion, Fang.
• 
  
• Extra Credit
• 
  
• Interview - Capturing the Stone: A Conversation with the Filmmakers: director Chris Columbus, producer David Heyman, screenwriter Steve Kloves and production designer Stuart Craig talk about casting and bringing the novel to life.
• 
  
• A Glimpse Into the World of Harry Potter: 2001 International TV Special
• 
  
• Deleted scenes
• 
  
• Trailers and TV Spots
• 
  
• BD-Live with access to worldwide events, special guest participants, community features and more

CHAMBER OF SECRETS

• 
  
• In-Movie Experience with director Chris Columbus: an interactive viewer experience where the entire film is examined; includes PiP, storyboard comparisons, still galleries (BD exclusive)
• 
  
• WB Maximum Movie Mode picture-in-picture programming, cast walk-ons, focus points, graphics and more (BD exclusive)
• 
  
• Creating the World of Harry Potter, Part 2: Characters: explore how the cast and creative team of directors and designers take the characters' descriptions on the page to the actors' performances on film (new)
• 
  
• Screen tests of Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson (new)
• 
  
• Deleted scenes
• 
  
• Lockhart's Classroom
  • 
    
  • Photo Gallery
  • 
    
  • Certificates: have a look at Gilderoy Lockhart's many achievements.
  • 
    
  • Required Reading: find out what text books you'll need for Lockhart's Defense Against the Dark Arts class
• 
  
• Extra Credit
• 
  
• Behind Hogwarts
  • 
    
  • A Conversation with J.K. Rowling and Steve Kloves: the author and screenwriter detail how the books are brought to life, and the changes that happen in the process.
  • 
    
  • Dumbledore's Office
  • 
    
  • Build a Scene: building a scene as magnificent as Professor Dumbledore's office takes more than wood, plaster, nails and paint; it takes imagination
  • 
    
  • Tour Dumbledore's Office: welcome to the self-guided tour of Professor Dumbledore's office, one of the most fascinating rooms at Hogwarts
  • 
    
  • Interviews with students, professors and more
    • 
      
    • Students - What would you ask the cast, if you could? Put yourself in the interview chair as the stars answer questions about making the film.
    • 
      
    • Professors and More: enjoy personal moments with the professors and others as they discuss their characters: Prof. Gilderoy Lockhart, Lucius Malfoy, Prof. Pomona Sprout, Molly Weasley, Arthur Weasley, Prof. Albus Dumbledore, Rubeus Hagrid, Prof. Severus Snape, Uncle Vernon Dursley, Aunt Petunia Dursley, Argus Filch, Prof. Minerva McGonagall.
  • 
    
  • Gallery of Production Sketches
  • 
    
  • Activities
    • 
      
    • The Chamber Challenge [Game]
    • 
      
    • Tour the Chamber of Secrets: what are you doing here? This place isn't safe. Begin your journey down the dark corridor for the self-guided tour of the Chamber of Secrets.
    • 
      
    • The Forbidden Forest Challenge [Game]
    • 
      
    • Colin's Darkroom
    • 
      
    • Tour Diagon Alley: welcome to the self-guided tour of Diagon Alley, where you can find all your supplies for the school year. Explore the many shops, such as Flourish & Blotts and the Magical Menagerie.
  • 
    
  • Spellcaster Knowledge Challenge [Game]
  • 
    
  • EA Game Preview
• 
  
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Revealed: 2002 HBO First Look special
• 
  
• Trailers and TV Spots
• 
  
• BD-Live with access to worldwide events, special guest participants, community features and more (BD exclusive)
• 
  

Thanks to WB, and to Matt and Edwin for the links, appreciated!

(SOURCE: THE LEAKY CAULDRON)

New Trailer for Ultimate Edition DVD Features New Cast Footage, Years 3 Through 7 Now Confirmed

Check it out! Thanks to the Yahoo movies Twitter we know there is a brand new trailer for the upcoming Ultimate Editions of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets DVDs that features many new clips and footage. In the trailer (also here in our galleries for download) you can see new clips of the trio audition (so cute so young!) as well as a glimpse of the Evanna Lynch (Luna) audition with Dan Radcliffe, Jessie Cave (Lavender) with Rupert Grint (Ron) and much more. Important: Ultimate editions of years 3-7 including Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows are now confirmed by WB in the trailer to be coming soon!

For more information on the two Ultimate Editions DVDs please see this post. Pre-orders for the DVDs are available here in our Cauldron Shop:
Sorcerer's Stone Blu-ray
Chamber of Secrets Blu-ray

(SOURCE: THE LEAKY CAULDRON)

Wizarding World Announcement and Video on Leaky Cauldron

Hello my fellow Witches and Wizards!

The Leaky Cauldron has the Universal Studios press video for the Harry Potter and the Wizarding World theme park announcements from yesterday. The video features interviews with the cast from HP and Tom Felton (our own lovable Draco Malfoy) is hosting the video.

The video also includes a virtual flyover of the park. The video can be seen here in the Leaky Cauldron video galleries.

Enjoy!

Hogwarts Forever! :-)
You-Know-Who Never!! :-P
Denice :-D

Universal Reveals Details of New Harry Potter Park

It sounds like a new book in the Harry Potter series, but "Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey" will be a high-tech ride and the marquee attraction at the "Wizarding World of Harry Potter," a new theme park area opening in spring 2010 at Universal Orlando Resort.

The "Forbidden Journey" ride was named by author J.K. Rowling and described Tuesday by Universal officials in a Web cast revealing details of what the Potter park will look like.
The ride will take guests through scenes and rooms from the blockbuster movies inside a richly detailed remake of Hogwarts Castle made to look 700 feet tall. Hogwarts is where Harry attends a boarding school for witches and wizards.

Guests will enter the "Wizarding World" through a station archway named for Hogsmeade, the magical village near Hogwarts. A plume of steam and a train whistle will sound the arrival of the Hogwarts Express. The goal is to make the experience immersive, so nothing outside is visible after guests pass the Hogsmeade station archway.

Rowling, known for carefully guarding the Potter franchise, hasn't yet journeyed to Orlando, but the design team has made several trips to London to consult with her.

Other rides include the "Dragon Challenge," a twin high-speed roller coaster themed after the "Triwizard Tournament" and the family roller coaster "Flight of the Hippogriff," named for a creature with an eagle's head and a horse's body.

"Along those journeys they're going to be swept up into the greatest parts of the movies and the books. We've pushed every technology available to us to give guests a theme park experience unlike any they've had before," said Paul Daurio, producer of the Potter area.

The Harry Potter park will be part of Universal's Islands of Adventure.

(SOURCE: YAHOO! NEWS)

Official Wizarding World of Harry Potter Website

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has an official website. Click here to check it out.The site has a gallery of pictures, the entire webcast from earlier today, and a map of the park. Check out the site and see all the goodies for yourself.

(SOURCE: VERITASERUM)

WB Deliberately Waiting to Announce Release Date of Half-Blood Prince DVD, News on Australian DVD

Over the past few weeks, we've seen several varying reports on release dates for the upcoming Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince DVD. Home Media Magazine is reporting this confusion and uncertainty is because WB is deliberately withholding the formal release date. The article says that WB apparently feels by withholding the exact date and their releases until late in the year, it will help increase sales as they believe holiday shoppers will wait until last minute to make their purchases. Quotage:

Warner Home Video has decided to release its tentpole titles later than usual, anticipating consumers will delay holiday purchases until the last minute, said a Time Warner senior executive...Packaged media and digital release dates for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince ($298 million domestic box office) and The Hangover ($272 million) are still pending.

Speaking at an investor confab in Marina del Ray, Calif., Time Warner CFO John Martin said the No. 1 home entertainment studio (in market share) continued to scrutinize the entire business, which he said included Blu-ray Disc, electronic sellthrough, video-on-demand (VOD), rental kiosks and Netflix, in an effort to extract the maximum margins in the various distribution channels. “We are purposely putting our titles into the retail channel later in the fourth quarter to try and take advantage of what we believe will be the optimal foot traffic trends in retail,” Martin said.

Related: While WB is holding back formal announcements on the release date of the DVD, several readers let us know about pre-orders and release dates in Australia. First TLC reader Luke let us know that the Half-Blood Prince DVD in Australia can be pre-ordered at this link, with a November 30th date. Also, as first reported here, WB is releasing two "Ultimate Collectors" edition DVDs this fall, with TLC reader Jack letting us know that Sorcerer's Stone, and Chamber of Secrets special editions are due out on November 18th in Australia. More when we get it, stay tuned!

(SOURCE: THE LEAKY CAULDRON)