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.

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.

Interview With Regulus Black Actor

The other day we reported on some new casting for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Among the new cast members was Tom Moorcroft who was cast as Regulus Black. A new interview with the actor has surface online, in which the actor confirms his role in the sixth Potter film.

In the interview, the actor revealed that he only appears in the film as a photograph in Slughorn's office (since we don't technically see Regulus in the book); he participated in a photoshoot that only last 2-3 hours at Leavesden. Moorcroft also revealed that he hasn't been cast for Deathly Hallows, but would love to come back for continuity reasons.

What other actors were present during this scene? Like Susie Shinner (young Lilly Evans) or Daniel Radcliffe.
Only Jim Broadbent.

Can you describe the details of the scenario and the clothing on the scene?
Unfortunately no real details can be disclosed at this time, as the production team said. No photographs were allowed to be taken for the case if they got leaked to the public, I suppose.

...

Do you have any information about Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, where your character has a big role during the books?
No information, yet. I gather that right now they’re concentrating on the Half Blood Prince. It would make sense to use the same actor again to save confusion, but I personally have no idea. I would like to get called back though.

You can read the full interview at Potterish

UPDATE: Another new interview with Mr. Moorcroft is now online. Maponto from Spanish fan site BlogHogwarts let us know that they have an exclusive interview with the actor along with a larger photo of the picture featured on the actor's casting page. While the interview is mostly the same, you can read the full translation below:

Had you read any of the Harry Potter books before you obtained the role?

Yes I've read the 2nd, 3rd and 4th ones, I haven't had the chance to read all of them yet!

Have you already shot scenes of Half-Blood Prince?

I shot my scenes two weeks ago, just before Easter at Leavesden Studios.

In which scenes are you present?
I'm in a very short scene which will be in Professor Slughorn's office.


What other Harry Potter actors or actresses did you perform with?
Jim Broadbent, who will be playing Professor Horace Slughorn.

How do you feel about being in a Harry Potter film?
It's certainly an experience I must say. I would definitely not to have to think, if I was asked to be in the Deathly Hallows. It would be a very firm yes.

Have you met other actors or actresses on Harry Potter Set?
The only actor I met was Jim Broadbent as he was the only main actor involved in my scene.

Japanese DH Cover Art

The Japanese Harry Potter publishers, Say-zan-sha, have unveiled the cover art for the Japanese translation of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, which will hit bookshelves on July 23, 2008.

Bloomsbury 2007 Profits Boosted by Deathly Hallows

This evening, the Sunday Herald is reporting that Bloomsbury, the UK publishers of the Harry Potter books, have seen increase in their annual profits for 2007 due mostly to the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Bloomsbury chief executive Nigel Newton is expect to announced that the publishing company profited an estimated £17 million (nearly $34 million) in 2007, up from 2006's profits of £5.2 million ($10 million). He is also expected to "claim that the Potter effect will continue for years ahead as the group dips into cash reserves of more than £40m, built up from past Potter sales, to promote new talent and to make further acquisitions."

Matt Lewis: DH to be Split

Matt Lewis, better known as Neville Longbottom, was in attendance at Collectormania in the UK this weekend. According to the Snitchseeker, Matt and his brother Anthony (Torchwood), made numerous comments about Matt made several comments about Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

He discussed Neville's dramatic moment with Nagini and the sword at the end of the book: “Oh yeah. It’ll be really cool but I’m going to have to have lots of training. We did with Order of the Phoenix and using the wands but this one is going to be much more extensive.” (His brother joked, ”There’d have to be for anyone to trust him with a sword.”)

But of particular interest, Matt said that Deathly Hallows would indeed be split into two parts. While Warner Brothers HASN'T officially confirmed this, I think it's a safe bet to say Matt's split the beans.

We'll update when WB sends official word of the split and director choice.

Spanish DH Released

The Spanish translation of [i]Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows[/i] was released today in Spain, after what must have been an excruciatingly long wait. Have a fun read!

Radcliffe Debunks Spielberg/DH Rumors

Recently there have been rumors that Steven Spielberg was a possible director under consideration for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. A couple of days ago, Daniel Radcliffe was in attendence at this year's BAFTA awards. Dan was reportedly asked on the red carpet whether or not these rumors had any merit: "I have no idea how that rumor started or where it came from. It's not true. How's that for a definitive answer?"

Jim Dale Wins Grammy for DH

US Harry Potter audiobook narrator Jim Dale won the the Grammy awards for best "Spoken Word Album for Children" for his recording of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Congrats, Mr. Dale!