HBP Casting News: First Hero Tiffin Fiennes Pictures

SnitchSeeker has posted several new photos, and our first look, of Hero Tiffin Fiennes (Ralph Fiennes's (Voldemort) nephew), who portrays 11 year-old Tom Riddle in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. The photos are stills from the actor's film, Bigga Than Ben, which recently screened at the Edinburgh International Film Festival.

In other news, casting website SpotligtCD.com is listing actor Rod Hunt as the Death Eater Rowle for Half-Blood Prince. It should be noted that while we have received many casting reports from casting websites over the past several months, very few of them have been officially confirmed, and even if they have been cast there is a chance they may not make the final cut.

HBP Rumors: Teaser Trailer to Screen With Dark Knight? HBP Footage at Comic-Con?

There are several tidbits floating the web today regarding the upcoming Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince film.

First up, Leaky is reporting that they have received several emails from US theaters, including Regal Ciniemas, saying that the long-awaited Half-Blood Prince teaser trailer, will be attached to the beginning of the new Batman film, The Dark Knight, which hits theaters on July 18. While Dark Knight is a Warner Brothers film and WB is running out of films to screen the trailer, please keep this is in the rumor bin until we receive some official confirmation.

Next, there are rumors that some HBP footage will be shown during the WB panel at this year's Comic-Con in San Diego the weekend of July 24-27. This may be a repeat of the footage apparently aired at Cinema Expo last week. Once again, regard this bit of news as a rumor; Comic-Con is expected to post a detailed list of the event's programming within the next coming weeks.

On a related note, Sky Magazine recently featured a HBP set teaser. Though the brief article says very little on the film itself, it does feature a new picture of Rupert Grint as Ron in the film, which you can view here.

Update: Edinburgh to Honor JKR

Last Fall we reported that the city of Edinburgh has plans to honor J.K. Rowing, as it was where she started and finished writing the Harry Potter books. The Scotsman is now reporting that Jo will be “immortalised in a Hollywood-style “walk of fame” in the quadrangle outside the City Chambers, where she will leave her handprints.”

Scotland's leading literary figures are expected to attend a gala dinner that will be held for the occasion.

A source at the city council said: "It should be a fantastic occasion. We're trying to ensure as many other Edinburgh people who have won major awards over the year will be there so they can share in the occasion."

HBP Wii Video Game Preview Online

Electronic Arts has met up with Kotaku to preview for the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince video game that's due out later this year. The article describes how some of Wii controls work in the game:

Actually, the first part of the demo let me try out the potion-mixing minigame; you've got a bubbling cauldron and a desk full of ingredients like little vials, bottles, leeches and caterpillars, and symbol-based instructions for each step of the potion-making scroll up in a little wheel to the screen's right. A potion-making sim was a first for me, and I exploded the thing a few times, but it was mostly pretty fun, especially when you can tilt the Wii remote to spill a beaker's contents into the cauldron and then make a stirring motion to whirl it up until the color changes. It's all timed and ranks your precision, which was pretty fun.

Then, Bunney and I went at it with a Wii remote wand duel. He was playing Draco Malfoy and I was Harry. We faced off at either end of a long room, and you hold up the Wii remote to charge your wand for a powerful attack (leaving you undefended), or simply shake the remote in your opponent's direction to fire off a series of quick bursts.

You use the Nunchuk to move side to side, and swinging both Wii remote and Nunchuk across your body causes you to produce a deflection shield that can send your opponent's projectiles right back at him. Shaking both produces a special attack that can knock your opponent down or stun him.

Happy Birthday, Dobby

J.K. Rowling's official website has been updated to wish Dobby a happy birthday. Here's to Dobby!

Happy Birthday, Matthew Lewis

Matt Lewis, who plays the role of Neville Longbottom in the Harry Potter films, is celebrating his 19th birthday today. Happy Birthday, Matt.

Kate Mulgrew Joins Cast of "Equus"

Playbill is reporting tonight that Kate Mulgrew will join the cast of the Broadway revival of Equus, which co-stars Daniel Radcliffe and Richard Griffiths. Mulgrew (best known for her role as Captain Kathryn Janeway in Star Trek: Voyager) will play Hesther Saloman.

"Equus" will begin previews in New York on September 25. The play will run 22 weeks, ending in February 2009. Tickets are available here.

WB Airs HBP Montage at Cinema Expo 2008

The other day we told you about the "teaser" poster for Half-Blood Prince that was spotted at Cinema Expo 2008. The Hollywood Reporter is now reporting that a bit more than a disappointing poster was present at the event. Warner Brothers also showcased a brief montage of clips from the sixth film that included Daniel Radcliffe who "introduced a 'Harry' retrospective."

Isaacs Will Be Back for Deathly Hallows

Jason Isaacs has confirmed in an interview with ComingSoon that he will indeed return as Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows films.

CS: Are you excited to reprise the role?
Isaacs: I am very excited. Also, the woman who is playing my wife I've been a fan of for a very long time. In fact, one of the great things about going to do "Harry Potter" at all is that a lot of people who are my acting idols I see sitting in make-up chairs beside me. To get to do scenes with Gary Oldman and Richard Harris, Michael Gambon and now Helen McCrory, who I'm a big fan of – it's fabulous.

CS: What was it like to pick up the final "Harry Potter" book when it came out and not know what was in there, especially for you?
Isaacs: I'm not quite strong enough to pick up a book of that weight. I had a couple of people to help me, and a winch. The secret can be out now. Before it came out I wasn't quite sure – there was a point where I wasn't sure I was going to do anymore because there wasn't much for me to do in number five and I wasn't in number six. I met Jo Rowling for the first time at a big awards dinner. I went over and basically fell to my knees and said "Get me out of prison, I beg you." She looked over her shoulder and looked back at me mouthing "You're out. Chapter One." And that was it, that's all I had to know, and I signed up immediately.

Owlcast Episode 49: Siriusly

Our episode this week was cut short due to technical diffculties, but this week Mary and I talk about the latest Potter news.

- Still no trailer.
- Potter Prequel.
- Terminus stalking.
- Wizard Rock the Vote.

You can download this episode via iTune or directly (Right Click..., Save As).

HBP Teaser Poster?

This year's Cinema Expo featured a showcase of posters for a number of upcoming movies, including Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Now before you get too excited, the poster simply features the title logo for the film. We do not know if this is the official teaser poster. We will keep you posted. Until then you can check out a photo of the poster over at hbpmoviepics via film1.nl.

Wizard Rock the Vote

The Associated Press has an article online today highlighting the growth of Wizard Rock, specifically covering the recent Wrockstock 2008.

On a related note, The HP Alliance has launched their Wizard Rock the Vote campaign, where they will provide information about registering to vote for the upcoming US Presidential Election at select Wizard Rock concerts.

A video with information about the campaign, put together by Wrock band Harry and the Potters, can be viewed below:

Potter Prequel Receives 70,000 in First 20 Hours

Fan will remember a 800-word Potter prequel by J.K. Rowling was sold at a charity auction in London last week. The prequel has since been available to read online here and here (non-flash version). Utalkmarketing.com is now reporting that the website received more than 70,000 visitors in the first 20 hours after posting the prequel.

The prequel was among 13 submitted story cards donated by various authors, including Neil Gaiman. All 13 cards will be published along with the winners of the Waterstone’s “What’s Your Story?” competition on August 7th in a special charity book, which can be pre-ordered here. Proceeds will go to the English Pen and Dyslexia Action charities in the UK.

WB Says Special HP Theme Park Movie is FALSE

Some rumors regarding the Trio starring in a mini-Harry Potter film for the upcoming Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park have been floating around the internet. Warner Brothers has since debunked these rumors:

“J.K. Rowling continues to be very supportive and involved with the plans underway for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park at Universal’s Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Florida. Contrary to recent press reports, she has not written scripts for any films based on the Harry Potter ‘prequel’ (recently written and sold for charity) or otherwise, as part of the theme park or any other purpose.

We are working hard to make The Wizarding World of Harry Potter an exciting and authentic experience for all fans and guests. For more information about the park, please visit unversalorlando.com/harrypotter/.“

Potter Books Exceed 400 Million Sales Worldwide

The BookSeller.com is reporting today that the Harry Potter books have officially sold over 400 million copies worldwide. The books have also been translated in 67 languages.

The paperback version of Deathly Hallows will be released on July 10th in the UK. Still, no word yet on the US release date.

New HBP Video Game Still; August Release Date False

Electronic Arts has updated the Russian version of their website with a new video game still (no doubt from a cut scene) from the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince video game.

The website also notes that the came may be released in early August despite former announcements that the game would be released closer to the film's release in November. However, EA has since announced that this release date is false and that the game is still set for a November release.

Radcliffe and Griffiths Present at Tony Awards

Both Daniel Radcliffe and Richard Griffiths were in attendance at this year's Tony Awards in New York City. The pair, who acted together in the West End production of "Equus", presented the award for Best Play, a video of which can be viewed via YouTube.

Pictures of Radcliffe and Griffiths at the awards can be viewed over at Getty Images.

Both actors are set to reprise their roles in the play “Equus” this September on Broadway.

HBP Stills and Promos

Quite a few new Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince images has surfaced this evening. First up, SnitchSeeker had a chance to visit the Licensing International Expo 2008 where previews for promotional photos were displayed, including new promos for Half-Blood Prince, which you can view here. There were also several displays of Order of the Phoenix merchandise, which ou can view here.

Next, Potterish has unearthed a new shot of Harry and Ginny hugging.

Lastly, we have an image that I'll admit I've known about for awhile now but was rather selective about posting. At SuperCon earlier this month actor Dean Mitchell was giving out promos of a character he'll be playing in Half-Blood Prince, woho'll appear as a guest at Slughorn's party. The first photo of the actor in costume can be viewed here, while the newer photo can be viewed .

The BlogHogwarts also has an interview with Mitchell about his role in the sixth film. However, due to "production companies confidentiality" the interview doesn't reveal much.

Potter Prequel Online; More on Buyer

The 800 word Harry Potter prequel that J.K. Rowling wrote for charity can now be viewed online here or here.

Also, this morning Bloomsberg has some more information on the bidder who one Jo's card last night at the charity auction in London. The card sold to Hira Digpal, president of Tokyo-based investment-banking consulting company Red-33.

Digpal, who originally had a closed bid of 50,000 pounds before halving his offer, said he faxed a letter to Rowling's publisher asking for the author's cooperation to use the story in a way that would raise more money for charity. He declined to give details of the proposal.

``Here I am, owning a piece of literary history,'' said Digpal in a phone interview from Tokyo. ``I think I got a bargain. Hopefully, we can raise much more than the sale.''

Potter Prequel Sells For 25,000 Pounds

This evening, the 800 word Potter Prequel that J.K. Rowling wrote on a small storycard for charity was auctioned off for 25,000 pounds ($48,855). The short story, written on a sheet of A5 paper, was one of 13 submissions made by various authors, and was was sold to "an absentee bidder."

As for the story itself, which can be viewed online via this link tomorrow, AFP is reporting that story is set three years before Harry's birth, in which James Potter and Sirius Black are "confronted by two policemen after a high-speed motorcycle chase, and evade the authorities using their broomsticks and magic."

Furthermore, the BBC has a video of Lizo covering the auction and reading an excerpt from the card.

Not only will copies of the 13 storycards be available online and on display in Waterstone's across the UK, but a book featuring the stories can be preordered here.

Warwick Davis Speaks Up About DH Split

MTV has a new interview with Warwick Davis, who plays Professor Flitwick in the Potter films. In the interview, Davis talks about the decision to split the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows:

“I think that’s a good idea because when you try and squeeze these quite lengthy novels into a two-hour movie, a two-and a half hour film there is gonna be stuff that’s left out. There’s so much in the last book, I think it’ll make two really good films. It’s worthy of that.”

Also, when asked about what scene he looks forward to seeing played out in the final film (two films that is), Davis replied, “I very much like the scenes with Griphook. I think that’s a great character to have involved more in the film.”

Concerning, Davis's character Flitwick, the Ravenclaw Head of House continues to act as the “light relief” in Half-Blood Prince:

“My character seems to get involved in fun stuff now. I’ve had an immensely enjoyable time again. It’s a real honor to be a part of number 6.”

Owlcast Episode 48: Rated Diabolical

This week me and Amu talk about chapter 35 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, among other things.

- More extra interviews.
- Bellatrix's marriage.
- King's Cross.
- I need clothes, lots of clothes.
- Not dead, he is.
- Wands.
- Did Dumbledore wait?
- Ghosts?
- Dumbledore deceived by the Marauders.
- More on uniting the Hallows.
- Adult Actors.
- Posters.

You can download this episode via iTune or directly (Right Click..., Save As).

Fake HBP Still of Slughorn

Earlier today, a supposed still of Jim Broadbent as Professor Horace with the Warner Brothers logo surface online. However, the photo was a fake. The image was really two images of Jim Broadbent, from his other films, put together on photoshop.

Happy Birthday, Jason Isaacs

Jason Isaacs who magnificently portrays Lucius Malfoy in the Potter films turns 45 today. Happy Birthday, Jason!

Full Text and Video of JKR Commencement Speech

Full text and video of yesterday's commencement speech given by J.K. Rowling at Harvard is now online and can be viewed here.

Happy Birthday, Draco Malfoy

J.K. Rowling's official website has been updated to wish Draco Malfoy a happy birthday. Happy Birthday, Draco!

Live Feed of JKR Harvard Commencement Speech on June 5

A couple of months back, we told you that J.K. Rowling would be this year's Harvard Commencement speaker on Thursday, June 5th. There is news today that the ceremonies will be broadcast live via this link, allowing fans everywhere to watch our favorite author. Jo will be speaking sometime between 2:15 and 4:00pm. Afterwards, full test and video of the speech will be available here for all those who can't catch the live feed.

On a related note, "Hedwig's Theme," has been being played on the Lowell House bells at Harvard in anticipation of Jo's visit. Jeremy Lin, a Harvard senior and resident bell-ringer states:

"We do a ring every year for Halloween, and one of the things that started after Halloween is that somebody figured out how to play the Harry Potter theme. That person has since graduated, but we knew that it was possible, so we kind of worked up our own version and we thought that it would be nice to play for her."

The bells will ring one last time after this year's commencement, upon which they will be dismantled and returned to their original owner's, the Danilov Monastery in Moscow, which is the residence of the patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church.

You can hear the bells play "Hedwig's Theme" here.

Thanks, TLC.

Owlcast Episode 47: Page 5

It's one of our sorter episodes, but Me, Mary, and Amber are back for another week of OwlCast, in which we talk about chapter 34 of Deathly Hallows.

- 800 word prequel.
- Snape and Draco dance.
- Lord Dawlish.
- To the Forest Again.
- Neville's instructions.
- The resurrection stone.
- The Marauders as they should have been.
- Poor Hagrid.
- A flash of green light and everything was gone.

You can download this episode via iTune or directly (Right Click..., Save As).

New Interview With Tom Riddle Classmate

The BlogHogwarts has an exclusive new interview with actor Guy Mannerings, who has been cast as one of Tom Riddle's classmate's and member of the Slug Club.

BH: Have you already shot scenes of Half-Blood Prince? In which scenes are you present?
GM: I have shot some scenes in Half-Blood Prince, all of which were a joy to do. Each scene in Harry Potter is very different to film; some take days, some take only hours, but they are all always fun to do, and it's great to see how a big-budget film is put together. I play a character from the 1940s/1950s in a young Tom Riddle era, and did scenes surrounding this.

...

BH: Which members of the cast did you met?
GM: I was lucky enough to work with Jim Broadbent, which included doing a small improvisation with him and some other actors. He was fantastic, and his voice could be heard on the other side of the studio! I have met a number of actos and actresses on the Harry Potter sets, for example, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Maggie Smith, Jim Boradbent, Shefali Chowdhury, etc. They were all very different characters in themselves, but all charming and great to work with. I was also lucky enough to work with some of my close friends, who are great actors, such as Tommy Chambers and Jon Overton.

Radcliffe and Griffiths to PResent at 2008 Tony Awards

Actors Daniel Radcliffe and Richard Griffiths, who both appeared in "Equus" together, will be among the presenters at the 62nd Annual Tony Awards, according to Playbill.com. The Tony Awards will broadcast live from Radio City Music Hall on Sunday, June 15th at 8 p.m. EST on CBS in the US.

Helen McCrory Talks Narcissa Malfoy

Helen McCrory recently appeared on BBC Radio's "Woman Hour" where she briefly discussed her role as Narcissa Malfoy in the upcoming Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Although she does state in the interview that she can say "practically nothing" about the film she does talk about Narcissa's wand:

"I get a wand. And somebody comes up to you on the set with a wand in a box. You literally use the wand and then it’s put back into the box and it’s taken away… and put in a safe. So, using a wand is no light thing.”

McCrory goes on to discuss her character's wardrobe:

"There is a fantastic designer called Jany who is Parisian and, of course, has more style in her little finger than most of us will have in our entire life. And she has designed… it’s very high couture, what I am wearing, which is wonderful. It’s all 50s and very hourglass and pencil skirts and very, very chic.”

New Trio and Snape & Draco HBP Stills

A handful of new, and a bit bigger, Half-Blood Prince stills are online this morning. The Portkey has posted four stills from the film, one being a larger version of one we've already seen (Harry next to file cabinet). The other three stills show a different angle of the Walnut shot, the trio in Ron's bedroom, and Draco and Snape in a corridor.

It should be noted that all of these news stills feature the Warner Brothers and Half-Blood Prince logos, as opposed to the previously unmarked stills.

JKR Hosts MS Charity Ball

Last night, J.K. Rowling hosted a MS (Multiple Sclerosis) charity ball at Harburn House, West Lothian. According to the Sunday Mail, the event earned £320,436 for Multiple Sclerosis Society Scotland, which Jo is patron over. Of interest, one item included in the featured charity auction " was the chance to be immortalised as a wizard or witch in a portrait at the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park in Florida."