Three Broomsticks Included in HP Theme Park

Universal just announced through email that The Three Broomsticks will be a part of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Theme Park in Orlando, Florida. For months the theme park's website has had a poll asking visitors what restaurant they'd prefer to have at the park, and The Three Broomsticks won.

In addition, Universal has released early concept art of what the restaurant might look like, which you can view here.

The theme park's website now has a new poll up asking: "If you could order a drink at The Three Broomsticks, what would it be?" You can choose between Butterbeer and Pumpkin Juice (sorry, no option for both), here.

Beedle the Bard to be Published This December

J.K. Rowling announced in the news section of her official website today that The Tales of Beedle the Bard will be published on December 4, 2008. All proceeds will go towards Jo's charity, the Children's High Level Group.

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.

This new edition of Beedle will not only feature the five tales and Jo's illustrations, but "notes by Professor Albus Dumbledore, which appear by generous permission of the Hogwarts Headmasters' Archive.' 'Dumbledore's commentary on the Tales, which was discovered among his papers after his death, includes some historical notes, personal reminiscences, and insights into that most mysterious branch of magic: wandlore."

A special collector's edition will also be available to the public. Available exclusively through Amazon, the collector's edition is designed to look like the original handcrafted Beedle:

includes a reproduction of J.K. Rowling's handwritten introduction, as well as 10 additional illustrations not found in the Standard Edition. Opening the cover of the case reveals a velvet bag embroidered with J.K. Rowling's signature, in which sits the piece de resistance: your very own copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard, complete with metal skull, corners, and clasp; replica gemstones; and emerald ribbon.

You can pre-order your copy of the standard ($7.59) or collector's ($100) edition of the book at Amazon.

Rupert Talks Teaser Trailer With MTV

MTV has a new interview with actor Rupert Grint, in which he talks about the recently released Half-Blood Prince teaser trailer.

When asked about some of the negative fan reactions to the trailer (a.k.a. too-much-Riddle-not-enough-everything-else complaints), Rupert said: "It’s only a teaser, just to get people excited."

Despite being Riddle-centric (no complaints here), the teaser trailer did show us a glimpse of Rupert's character, Ron, who is shown on the ground after being poisoned.

“He gets poisoned quite a bit in this film,” Grint laughed, referring to Romilda Vane’s chocolate cauldrons and Slughorn's tainted firewhisky. “That was a really fun scene,” Grint said.

Half-Blood Prince Teaser Trailer Online

UPDATE #2:
MTV has posted a shot by shot breakdown of the trailer, which you can read here

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UPDATE:
AOL Moviefone now has the trailer in three High Definition formats:
480pp
720pp
1080pp

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It's finally here! The long awaited Half-Blood Prince teaser is online and can be viewed exclusively at AOL Video.

Two New Teaser Trailer Stills

In addition to yesterday's two stills from the Half-Blood Prince teaser trailer, which will be released online at 9pm EST tonight, USA Today has posted two additional photos. The first of the new photos shows Harry looking at the container of Riddle's memory, while the second shows Dumbledore looking into a cabinet with memory in "little tubes".

UPDATE: Another still from the trailer (another Dumbledore office pic) is now online and can be viewed over at Portus.

First Look at Young Tom Riddle (In Costume) And Other Important HBP News

A few weeks back we had out first look at young Hero Fiennes Tiffin, who will portray an 11-year-old Tom Riddle. Tonight we have our first look at the actor in costume (minus the long flowing Lucius hair). USA Today has a new sneak peek at the upcoming sixth Potter film, which not only includes a still of young Riddle (check out young Dumbledore in background), but a still of Dumbledore surrounded his magical rings of fire (UK cover art moment).

These images ARE from the teaser trailer, that AOL will debut online tomorrow. The article further confirms that the trailer is indeed attached to the Mummy 3 and that film editing is complete for Half-Blood Prince, with test screenings begining next month.

UPDATE: A leak of the trailer is now online!

New HBP Potter Products at Comic-Con

It's that time of year, Comic-Con! As such, photos of some new Harry Potter merchandise being showcased on Comic-Con's show floor have surfaced online. You can see photos of new Half-Blood Prince NECA action figures (1, 2, 3) and board game (1, 2), thanks to MN. Gentle Giants is also showcasing some new Potter busts; unfortunately, they are prohibiting photography.

UPDATE: Further photos from the show floor can be viewed, thanks to Leaky, starting here.

HBP Teaser Trailer to Debut Online Tuesday

Yesterday, we reported that the Half-Blood Prince teaser trailer would broadcast via satellite on on Tuesday, July 29th from 9:00pm – 9:15pm EST (6:00pm – 6:15pm PST) and Wednesday, July 30th from 6:00am – 6:15am EST (3:00am -3:15am PST).

Our friends over at BlogHogwarts have let us know that Warner Brothers has confirmed that the teaser trailer will also become available online the same day, Tuesday, exclusively on AOL.

IGN Previews HBP Wii Demo at Comic-Con

As many of you already know, Comic-Con 2008 is being held in San Diego this weekend. IGN now has a report online from the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince video game demo on the show floor.

You can take an easy potions course or an advanced potions course, play a Seeker mini-game, or face off in a wand duel. Now, don't panic; the segments of the today's demo will just be integrated into the story mode. Half-Blood Prince is going to stick with the gigantic, living Hogwarts that you wander around to get missions. The game's even adding changing times of day so it won't perpetually be noon outside and different student moods to accompany those times -- i.e. a kid who is super-energized in the morning might be rundown by the evening.

The preview goes on to talk of the Potions and Seeker mini games in detail (including discussion of Wii flight controls). It also talks about how the game has improved it's combat sequences for the Wii, which were one of the biggest complaints about the Order of the Phoenix Wii game.

Thankfully, those complaints have been addressed in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Not only will you be able to move while you cast spells, but you can also tap the A button for quick dodge. When I raised my wand to go up against Draco Malfoy on the famed dueling platform, I got a crash course in a few of the spells available to me. Pushing the Wiimote down and then raising it up cast the Stupefy spell, lifting both the nunchuk and Wiimote into the air called for Wingardium Leviosa, and slashing both controllers in a diagonal line cast a protective spell. Expelliarmus and Petrificus Totalus were also part of my Potter arsenal, but my bout came down to me running from side to side while firing off energy orbs.

Speaking of the HBP video game, a larger shot of the game cover art is now online, and can be viewed over at hbpmoviepics.

HBP Sticker Book Scans

A handful of new sticker book scans and promotional banners, featuring new shots from Half-Blood Prince, have made their way online. These new images can be seen here, here, and here, thanks to hbpmoviepics.

WB Confirms HBP Teaser Trailer to Air Via Satellite Tuesday

Warner Brothers confirmed today (FINALLY!) that the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince teaser trailer will air via satellite on Tuesday, July 29th from 9:00pm – 9:15pm EST (6:00pm – 6:15pm PST). The trailer will air a second time on Wednesday, July 30th from 6:00am – 6:15am EST (3:00am -3:15am PST) as well.

I most undoubtedly believe that the trailer become available online shortly after (if not at the same simultaneously) it becomes available via satellite.

Also included in the press release was the below film description:

Voldemort is tightening his grip on both the Muggle and wizarding worlds and Hogwarts is no longer the safe haven it once was. Harry suspects that dangers may even lie within the castle, but Dumbledore is more intent upon preparing him for the final battle that he knows is fast approaching. Together they work to find the key to unlock Voldemort's defenses and, to this end, Dumbledore recruits his old friend and colleague, the well-connected and unsuspecting bon vivant Professor Horace Slughorn, whom he believes holds crucial information. Meanwhile, the students are under attack from a very different adversary as teenage hormones rage across the ramparts. Harry finds himself more and more drawn to Ginny, but so is Dean Thomas. And Lavender Brown has decided that Ron is the one for her, only she hadn't counted on Romilda Vane's chocolates! And then there's Hermione, simmering with jealously but determined not to show her feelings. As romance blossoms, one student remains aloof. He is determined to make his mark, albeit a dark one. Love is in the air, but tragedy lies ahead and Hogwarts may never be the same again.

OwlCast Episode 51: Scar!

It's out late this week (this is what I get for trying to earn some credits in the summer), but OwlCast Episode 51 is here. This episode marks the end of the Deathly Hallows chapter discussion, which ties in quite nicely with the one year anniversary of the book's release.

- Stuart Craig and the split.
- Real teaser trailer, please.
- Felix Felicies.
- Nineteen Years Later...
- LOSTies.
- The Malfoys.
- Ron's extremely famous.
- Book 8.

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

Happy Birthday,Daniel Radcliffe

Daniel Radcliffe, who portrays Harry in the Potter films, turns 19 today. Happy Birthday, Dan!

The J.K. Rowling Suite

The hotel where J.K. Rowling finished writing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is now reopening the room the author stayed in as the "J.K. Rowling Suite" (aka room 552). The room will run you around £1,000 per night, but several wealthy fans have already checked in to the room, which features the signed bust of Hermes that Jo signed during her stay.

An unnamed worker at the hotel said: "As JK Rowling finished her book in this suite, we thought it would be a nice way to honour this. The room is exactly the same as when Miss Rowling finished her book there."

...

The only other changes are a brass plaque that has been fixed to the front door and the door knocker being replaced by a brass owl in homage to those featured in the books.

Potter Actors Attend Lonond Dark Knight Premiere

A number of Harry Potter actors were in attendance at the London Dark Knight premiere this evening. Among the many celebrities were James & Olive Phelps (Fed & George Weasley), Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood), Jessie Cave (Lavendar Brown), and Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy).

You can view pictures of the actors at the premiere over at Getty Images, WireImage, and Rex Features.

Happy Birthday, Jamie Waylett

A happy birthday to Jamie Waylett (aka Crabbe) who celebrates his 19th birthday today.

15 IMAX HBP Teaser Trailer and High-Res Harry & Slughorn Picture

Okay first up, the 15 second long teaser trailer that debuted in front of Batman: Dark Knight IMAX is now up on youtube. While it only shows the logo, the trailer does have a one-liner from Dumbledore:



Secondly, Warner Brothers has released a high resolution version of the new photo of Harry and Slughorn that was featured in Entertainment Weekly. You can view it over at hbpmoviepics.

New HBP Image of Harry and Slughorn

Entertainment Weekly published a new still from Half-Blood Prince in their issue for this week, which coincidentally features Robert Patterson (Cedric Diggory) as Edward Cullen (a highly photoshoped Edward Cullen) on the cover. The new still shows Harry and Slughorn in the potions classroom, and can be viewed here.

In other photo news, several new promotional shots from Order of the Phoenix have cropped up online, which can be viewed here, here, here, and here. Also, some new sticker book covers have cropped up as well; however, the shots of Hermione, Snape, and Voldemort are from Order of the Phoenix.

HBP Teaser Trailer to Release With Mummy 3?

Our friends at BlogHogwarts is reporting today that Warner Brothers Mexico has sent them an email confirming the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince teaser trailer will be attached to The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, which will hit theaters on August 1, 2008. The trailer will be released online the same day.

This news has also been sent out through Warner Brother Brazil, according to Oclumencia. No official word from Warner Brothers US or UK has yet been heard of.

While this all seems like an official and final announcement about the trailer. I can't help but say to take it with just a tiny tiny grain of salt; there has just been so many trailer rumors over the weeks. Hopefully we will hear more in the next few days.

New HBP Video Game Screenshots from E3

As many of you already know, the big gaming conference E3 is being held this week. A few new screenshots from the game are now avaiable to view over at IGN from E3.

Also, being the nerd that I am, I have spotted the Harry Potter logo in the background in the background of some of the video footage that has been airing on G4. If anyone has any information on a possible booth or demo, please contact us at theowlery dot org at gmail dot com.

Picture of the Cave Scene?

Potterish discovered an image at Mega Calendars of the cover of a 2009 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince calendar. We've already seen the picture of Harry featured on the cover; however, the background shows a new picture of Dumbledore and Harry in the cave. However, the background image, which can be seen here, seems a bit illustrated and may not be an actual still from the film. Treat the image as a rumor until we find out more.

15 Second HBP Trailer With Dark Knight IMAX

As we've previously mentioned, there is a lot of speculation that the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince trailer debut with Batman: The Dark Knight. ComingSoon.net is now reporting that the trailer will not appear with the film, but a short 15 second trailer will appear along side the Dark Knight IMAX.

There's been much speculation that we'll be seeing the first trailer for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, but it looks like Harry Potter fans will have to wait a bit longer for the first footage. Our guess is it will be shown with the studio's Star Wars: The Clone Wars on August 15, but that's not confirmed.

It looks like moviegoers who go see it in IMAX, however, might just get a super brief glimpse at the sixth installment. Scooper 'Renata' contacted IMAX who told her that there will be a 15 second teaser for "Half-Blood Prince." Our guess is that it's just announcing that the movie is coming to IMAX as well.

This 15 second trailer may not show any new footage. It is possible that it might just be a title screen advertising HBP IMAX. As always, we will continue to update as we learn more.

OwlCast Episode 50: Voldemort Is A Freak

Mary and I are back this week for our landmark 50th episode of OwlCast. This week we talk about all the exciting Half-Blood Prince news and chapter 36 of Deathly Hallows

- HBP Footage and Conventions.
- The code of silence has been broken.
- Republicans for Voldemort.
- First looks at Slughorn, Romilda Vane, and Lavender.
- How is Neville in Advanced Potions and not a single Ravenclaw?
- Much HBP Talk.
- Where is the trailer?
- Magical pockets?
- The importance of Narcissa.
- What Harry died for.
- Voldemort's victory.
- Many things happen at once.
- The final battle.
- After the credits.

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

DH Split at Ron's Return?

Our friend Megan, over at the Magical Menagerie has posted scans from the latest Movie Magic Magazine, which features some new interviews with the cast and crew of the Potter films. While she is not allowed to post all the scans concerning Potter from the magazine she did manage to scan a page with an interesting tidbit concerning Deathly Hallows. In an interview with Stuart Craig, the set designer was asked what he thought about the last film being split in two:

I think we were all curious where the break between films will take place. Would the first movie end with a slightly anti-climactic ending? Of course we don't know. I've heard it suggested that the first film ends with the return of Ron Weasley. Ron has a falling out with Harry and leaves his friends, so is return is an emotional high. I guess that could provide a very satisfactory ending. I don't know if Steve Kloves, the writer, agrees, but we'll find out when we receive that first script.

This DOES NOT mean the film will be split with the return of Ron. It is just one of crew member's (the set designer not the writer) opinion. We will update, of course, the moment we know where the split will be.

Additional scans can be viewed here.

Butterbeer and Pumpkin Juice to be Served at Harry Potter Theme Park

The Theme Park Insider has a new interview today with Universal Orlando's Head Chef, Steve Jayson who currently overseas operations at Mythos restaurant at Universal's Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Florida, which won Theme Park Insider's award as the world's best theme park restaurant. In the interview Jayson was asked about the possible menu line-up for the upcoming Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park that will open in Orlando in 2010:

I couldn't resist the chance to ask Jayson about Universal Orlando's next big project: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Forget Quidditch, the "Harry Potter" experience I most want to have is a Hogwarts feast. Jayson confirmed that he and his staff are working on new food service concepts for Universal's Harry Potter land.

"We've visited Scotland to get a real close, personal look at the cuisine that they eat," Jayson said. "We're going to have one restaurant that's going to have a nice selection of items that you would probably expect to see in that vein of cooking, and I think it is going to be great."

But what about pumpkin juice? They've got to have pumpkin juice, right?

"Pumpkin juice, butterbeer," Jayson laughed. "All those great beverages, we are working on a lot of different things."

Old HBP Stills in High Res

Warner Brothers has released some gigantic high resolution versions of some of the Half-Blood Prince pictures that were released last week. In addition a brand new still (very similar to the recent Harry and Ginny still) from the film is online showing Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint in the Burrow with David Yates. You can view all of these here.

J.K. Rowling Signs Petition to Prevent Book Age Banding

J.K. Rowling has joined along side several other famous authors against publisher's plans to label children's books with "appropriate" age bands. Jo, along with authors Anthony Horowitz, Terry Pratchett and Alan Garner, have signed the online petition No to Age Banding. The petition argues that age banding books is "ill-conceived, damaging to the interests of young readers and highly unlikely to make the slightest difference to sales."

The initiative comes after research commissioned by the Children's Book Group of the Publishers' Association two years ago suggested that 86% of consumers were in favour of age guidance. While some have questioned the research, the scheme has attracted the support of major children's imprints including Random House, Penguin and Scholastic. From this autumn, book covers of participating publishers will bear a logo indicating they are suitable for readers aged 5+, 7+, 9+, 11+ and 13+/teen.

Market leaders such as Philip Pullman, who launched the notoagebanding.com site, have secured exemption from these plans, and Macmillan books is promising to consult all their authors. But some lesser known names, such as Keith Gray, whose Ostrich Boys has just been published by Random House, are already seeing the brand introduced on their books against their wishes.

Rowling's publisher Bloomsbury currently has no plans to introduce the label for any of its authors, although it has not ruled out the idea. Opposition from Rowling may make them - and other publishers - think again.

HBP Video Game Due November 14th?

The officially Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince video game website launched today. Of note, the website lists the game's release date as November 14, 2008, rather than the previous November 21st release date. We'll update when we learn more.

HBP Video Game Trailer Released

In addition to all the Half-Blood Prince movie news, there is some Half-Blood Prince video game news today as well. Electronic Arts had released a trailer for the HBP video game, which you can view via this link (new stills from the trailer, also included).

An new interview with the developers of the game is also now online.

Y!: Have any of the cast been involved in the game's production? Are they providing voices?

CR: Yes. Many of the movie cast lend their voices to the game (including Rupert Grint - who plays Ron Weasley, Tom Felton - who plays Draco Malfoy, and Evanna Lynch - who plays Luna Lovegood).

Y!: Which locations from the movie or book will we be able to visit?

CR: We are really pleased to confirm that as a player you will have the opportunity to explore all of Hogwarts, from the Boathouse right through to the brand new Astronomy Tower, plus key locations such as The Burrow and The Horcrux Cave.

Y!: Romance is a big theme in Half-Blood Prince. Are you planning to capture those elements in the game?

CR: Yes we are. We are focusing on the trials and tribulations of Ron Weasley, and also the developing relationship between Harry and Ginny Weasley.

Y!: Will we be able to roam freely around the game, like we could in Order of the Phoenix?

CR: Yes. Hogwarts is even bigger than last time -- you can find lots of new areas in the castle grounds -- and you can roam at will.

Y!: When will the game be out -- and on what platforms?

CR:Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince will be released around the same time as the movie and will be available on the following platforms: Nintendo Wii, Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft X360, Nintendo DS, Sony PSP, PC, Macintosh and Mobile.

The Half-Blood Prince video game website will launch tomorrow.

USA Today High Res HBP Pics

Warner Brothers has released high resolution versions of the new Half-Blood Prince USA Today photos. You can view the pictures in their high res glory over at SnitchSeeker.

Also, two additional stills have cropped up online. The first of Ron at the Qudditch tryouts and the second of Draco in a corner all alone.

Two New HBP Pics: Luna Wearing Spectrespecs

More pictures! AOL Moviefone has two more stills from Half-Blood Prince. The first picture shows Daniel Radcliffe and Professor McGonagall in Dumbledore's office, possibly near the end of the film. The second picture shows the ever wonderful Evanna Lynch as Luna Lovegood in her Quibbler 3D spectrespecs.

Empire Scans Online

DR.com has scans of the Half-Blood Prince feature form Empire magazine. Besides the pictures we've saw last night and this morning, there is also a nice picture of the Gryffindor Quidditch team in the Great Hall that spans two pages.

As for the article itself, there are several interesting tidbits. Firstly, David Yates quotes concerning the film opening with a big attack are true. The article also officially confirms that Fenir Greyback will be included in the film:

Greyback's look is neither man nor beast, with a downy facial pelt that, despite feeling pleasantly like a mildly damp kitten, makes his appearance markedly more horrific.

The Inferi are also brought up. "They're horrible," said Dan, "They made me think of bodies in graves in concentration camps. It's that terrible look of a body that's wasted away, nut not a skeleton. There are a couple of child Inferi too."

New HBP Photos: First Look at Slughorn

In addition to the spree of Half-Blood PRince news last night, there is even more news this morning. USA Today has posted six stills from the film along with a higher resolution and color version of the set photo of Dan, Bonnie and David Yates. These photos also feature our first look at Jim Broadbent as Slughorn. You can view all these new images here.

Also, hbpmoviepics has a better shot of Slughorn (as opposed to the other picture where he is wearing a mask) from Empire magazine, which you can view here.

USA Today's 'First Look' at Half-Blood Prince

It seems like tonight is the night Warner Brothers has broken their code of silence concerning all things Half-Blood Prince, well almost (no word on the trailer yet). USA Today has published their "first look" at the sixth Potter installment. The online article doesn't feature much new news, but does feature some nice quotes from David Yates:

Do Harry and Ginny share a magical snog?

"They're about to kiss," director David Yates says. "Then the bloody Death Eaters turn up and cause all sorts of anarchy.

Hbpmoviepics has posted a scan of a printed article from the periodical, focusing on the Harry/Ginny romance in the film. The article features a small, but new, set picture of David Yates, Daniel Radcliffe, and Bonnie Wright . Of note, the set appears to be covered in Christmas decor. Also included is a new image of Emma Watson as Hermione with what appears to be our first look at Romilda Vane in costume in the background.

Julie Walters to Return as Mrs. Weasley for Deathly Hallows

In a new interview with The Times, Julie Walters confirms that not only is she in Half-Blood Prince but that she will also reprise her role as Molly Weasley in the both Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows films.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is due out this year, and the next two, both based on the final book, are yet to be filmed. “I'm in them loads!” says Walters, and her eyes narrow. Then she does a new accent, which is basically herself, but evil. “I think I have to kill Helena Bonham Carter,” she says. Then she cackles again, like your favourite witchy aunt.

New HBP Photo Graces Empire Cover

Yesterday we told you about a possible interview with Daniel Radcliffe and David Yates by Empire magazine. Today Empire has updated their official website with a preview of their new issue, which features a new photo of Dan as Harry from Half-Blood Prince smack dab on the cover. At the same link you will find a picture we've already seen before of Harry in a corridor, but it's official now (enjoy the officalness).

HBP to Open With "Big Attack" Scene?

A new interview with Daniel Radcliffe and Half-Blood Prince director David Yates is online tonight. The Sun has posted excerpts from an interview supposedly conducted with Empire magazine. These excerpts feature David Yates saying: “We’re opening with a big attack. We’ll bring a major London landmark crashing down.”

A few months back, fans will remember, that films crews were in London on the Millennium bridge. It was theorized that the filming was for the destruction of the bridge mentioned in the first chapter of Half-Blood Prince. It is possible that this quote is referring to a scene based of this event from the book.

Hopefully, Empire will publish the full interview soon to confirm this.