Lily Potter Actress to Finish Series

Geraldine Somerville, in an interview with Manchester Evening News, confirmed that she will reprise her role as Lily Potter in the final Potter films: “I’ll just come in and do my little, ‘I am Lily Potter,’ and go quietly.”

When asked if she ever gets recognized by fans, she replied, "Occasionally a bit, I suppose. I’m not surprised when it happens – I am in it!”

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.

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.

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.

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.”

John Hurt to Return as Ollivander in DH?

While promoting his new film, Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull, John Hurt was quoted by UK tabloid the Sun regarding the possibility of the actor reprising his role as Ollivander in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

“I didn’t spend a lot of time on the Harry Potter film but I might be spending more time there next time,” he smiled. “We’ll see."

We'll update when we learn more, but for now keep this in the rumor pile.

Deathly Hallows Part 1 Release Date: November 19, 2010

As all of you should already know, the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will be released in two parts. Coming Soon has now confirmed that Part 1 will be released on November 19, 2010. Nothing has been confirmed for Part 2, but it's expected to be released in May 2011.

David Heyman Talks Split, Both Films Around 2 1/2 Hours Long

Empire magazine has a new interview with producer David Heyman on the recent news that Deathly Hallows will be split into two films.

Did you get as far as trying to put a script together that would get everything in to one film, or did it become obvious in discussions that it would work?

No, it all came down to discussions. We just thought how are we going to approach this? Is this going to be a four and a half hour film? That’s probably what it would have been. Would our audience really embrace that? In some way, I think they might. But I think the younger ones would have drifted. There’s always been difficulty making sure that the ones that are two hours, two and a half hours long – making sure that those are the right length. I think by having two films that are two and a half hours – although we’re not sure of the length – then it will be a richer experience. One of the challenges that faces us, which we’ve been discussing, is how to give each film its own identity. We want them to feel like one film, but they’ve got to be self-contained too. We feel now that we’ve got a really good angle on that. But we haven’t got a script yet on either part, so I don’t want to say too much.

So these films will be the same length as the ones that came before? We won’t see two films that clock in under two hours?

No. The idea is to get everything people want in there. I’m sure there’ll be parts that don’t make it, which we won’t know until the script is written. But that is the idea.

What do you think is the natural separation point in the books? Where can you end the first film in a satisfying way?

It depends what feeling you want [to end on]. I don’t want to answer that just yet because we don’t have the first script. We do have a point roughly where we want to end, but we haven’t got a draft to know if that works yet.

The interview goes on the provide further insight how we should expect things to proceed in the next few years, including that the filming for both parts will occur at the same time. I highly recommend reading the entire interview here.

Radcliffe Talks DH Split; Tom Felton: Little Cut From HBP

Earlier this evening E!'s The Daily 10 featured a new, but older, video of Daniel Radcliffe discussing his thoughts on splitting Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows from the Gloucester Cathedral set last month.

Also featured, were interviews with Dan, Rupert Grint, and Tom Felton concerning the sixth film, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. The video clip, which you can view here thanks to the ever wonderful hbpmoviepics.

Of interesting note, in the video Tom Felton, when asked about what's been cut, says, "Honestly, I couldn't tell you what's been cut, because I've read both the book and script and nothing sticks out in my mind, as an obvious cut."

Steve Kloves: More on DH Split and How GOF Was Almost Made Into Two

The Baltimore Sun has a new interview with Harry Potter screenwriter Steve Kloves, in which he futher discusses the big news that Deathly Hallows will be split into two films, as well as how Goblet of Fire was under consideration to be split: “Years ago, we briefly — and seriously — considered doing Goblet of Fire as two films. So this concept is not altogether new.”

Kloves, who will write all of the Potter screenplays, excluding Order of the Phoenix, says that shortly after the release of Deathly Hallows in July they began thinking about spliting the seventh and final film.

"As for Deathly Hallows, I intuited — almost from the first moments I began reading it and certainly once I’d finished — that to realize the story in a single film was going to be a tall order. Others in ‘the group’ felt similarly. So the idea of two films began to get kicked around as early as late summer of 2007. We didn’t take it lightly. But ultimately everyone felt that despite the challenges it would present, it was the most sound creative decision. I’m sure some will think we’re crazy. My wife looked at me cross-eyed when I first mentioned it. But I’m really excited about it because it should allow us to stretch a bit with the characters and give them the proper send-off. The story is highly emotional and those moments deserve time to breathe. And, personally, I feel we owe it to Jo — in order to preserve the integrity of the work — and the fans — for their loyalty all these years — to give them the best and most complete experience possible. I’d love to do it in three parts!” And for good measure, Kloves adds that working with Order of the Phoenix director David Yates on the currently filming Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince “was a brilliant experience, so this should be a treat!”

Deathly Hallows, Part One and Two will be filmed at the same time, with filming starting in February of 2009; Part One will be release in November of 2010, with Part Two due to May 2011.

Official Press Release on Two Part Deathly Hallows

Warner Brothers has now released their formal press release, after yesterdays big news that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will be made into two films, with David Yates returning to direct. Jeff Robinov, President of Warner Brothers said

It has been an honor for our studio to be entrusted with bringing J.K. Rowling’s extraordinary book series to the screen, and we have always felt a great responsibility to be true to her vision. In concluding the film franchise, we recognized that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is packed with vital plot points that complete the story arcs of all of its beloved characters. That said, we feel that the best way to do the book, and its many fans, justice is to expand the screen adaptation of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and release the film in two parts. We could not imagine the final chapter of the film franchise being in better hands than those of David Yates.

Additional quotage from WB President Alan Horn:

This is a very special moment for us, as it is the final episode in the great journey that J.K. Rowling undertook more than a decade ago. It has been a journey for all of us at Warner Bros. as well, and we are confident that our filmmakers will finish our series of films as a fitting complement to Jo’s completion of Harry’s story on the page.”

Producer David Heyman:

Over ten years ago, we made a commitment to Jo Rowling that, above all else, we would be faithful and true to the spirit of her books, and ever since we have endeavored never to compromise on the creative ambitions of the films. The Deathly Hallows is so rich, the story so dense and there is so much that is resolved that after discussing it with Jo, we came to the conclusion that two parts were needed to do it justice. I am thrilled that David Yates is returning to direct ‘The Deathly Hallows.’ He is both inspired and inspiring and is a passionate fan of the remarkable world and characters Jo has created. I know he will lead our incomparable cast and crew—most of whom have been with us since the very beginning—in bringing the series to the unforgettable conclusion it deserves.”

And last but not least, David Yates:

I’ve had great pleasure working with a tremendous cast and crew thus far, on both ‘the Order of the Phoenix’ and ‘the Half-Blood Prince.’ It’s a wonderful world to work in and be part of and to create within, and I consider it a great privilege to continue to bring Jo’s extraordinary world to the screen, and to be the director to complete this epic and exhilarating journey.

As mentioned yesterday, Deathly Hallows, Part One and Two will be filmed at the same time, with filming starting in February of 2009; Part One will be release in November of 2010, with Part Two due to May 2011.

CONFIRMED: DH Will Be Split In Two; Yates to Direct

With Matt Lewis's slip of turn earlier today, it seems quite timely that in an exclusive report from the LA Times today that is has now, and finally been officially confirmed that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows WILL BE SPLIT INTO TWO (COUNT THEM TWO) FILMS: "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1" and "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II." Part One is due November 2010, with Part Two due for May 2011.

The exclusive also cites Harry Potter producer David Heyman confirming that David Yates will return two helm the final two films, along with Steve Kloves to write both screenplays. It goes on to quote Heyman discussing Jo's reaction to the decision:

Heyman said he approached Rowling with some trepidation about the strategy but found that she signed off on its logic rather quickly. "I went to Jo and she was cool with it," Heyman said, "and that was quite a relief."

...

Producer David Heyman said the decision was made with some anxiety and only after considerable deliberations. The producer joked that "while my wife and Warner Brothers were pleased" to hear that the Potter movie magic will continue into the next decade, he himself fretted that the cynical observers would see the decision as a purely mercenary move."I swear to you it was born out of purely creative reasons," Heyman said during an interview in a converted airplane factory outside London that has been home base to all of the "Potter" productions. "Unlike every other book, you cannot remove elements of this book. You can remove scenes of Ron playing quidditch from the fifth book, and you can remove Hermione and S.P.E.W. [Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare] and those subplots . . . but with the seventh, that can't be done."

The report even quotes Daniel Radcliffe as saying:

I think it's the only way you can do it without cutting out a huge portion of the book," Radcliffe said recently during a break on the set of "Half-Blood Prince. There have been compartmentalized subplots in the other books that have made them easier to cut - although those cuts were still to the horror of some fans- but the seventh book doesn't really have any subplots. It's one driving, pounding story from the word go.

UPDATE The LA Times now has published a second story, with comments from WB Chairman Alan Horn on the decision to split the seventh book into two films:

"This way, we have an extra hour and a half, at least, to celebrate what this franchise has been and do justice to all the words and ideas that Jo has put in the amazing story. This is the end of the story too. We want to celebrate it. We want to give a full meal."

Horn also addressed the issue of the Trio acting in the epilogue:

"Horn said that particular denouement has the filmmakers fretting about how to keep the young familiar stars on the screen just before it goes dark. "That," Horn said, "is something we will need to deal with. People have watched these kids grow up, and it's been very special to do so. That's important to us."

David Yates Talks DH: "I'm Tempted"

In a new video interview with David Yates from the Empire Awards yesterday, the director discusses the possibility of return to direct Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. When asked about whether he will return to direct the final film, Yates said “I’m tempted” and that they talk about it everyday at Leavesden. He also mentions filming for Half-Blood Prince, saying that everyday of filming "is a joy."

You can watch this interview by clicking here and scrolling down to where it says “Best Director for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix David Yates.”

Ralph Fiennes Not in HBP; Not Signed on to DH Yet

In an new interview with Ralph Fiennes to promote his new film In Bruges, which co-stars Breendon Gleeson (Mad-Eye) and Clemence Posey (Fleur), Fiennes reveals that he is not appearing in the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and that he has not yet signed on for Deahtly Hallows.

Capone (of Aint It Cool): Are you even in THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE?
RF: The one they're shooting now, no, I'm not in it.

Capone: So it's just your nephew that's playing…
RF: My nephew is playing, I think just for a couple of scenes, the younger Voldemort [Tom Riddle]. I understand that the bulk of the bulk of the backstory of Voldemort is played by another, slightly older actor [Frank Dillane].

Capone: And have you signed on for the final film yet?
RF: I have not yet, no.

David Yates to Direct Deathly Hallows

Lois Lowry, author of The Giver, has updated her blog with an interesting tidbit tonight. In the blog post Lowry states that she had hoped David Yates, director of the fifth and sixth HP films, would direct the movie adaptation ofThe Giver, but is now busy directing Half-Blood Prince and is set to direct [i]Deathly Hallows[/i]:

"David Yates, the director currently working on the next Harry Potter film, was supposed to begin The Giver film next. But he has just decided he wants to do the final Harry Potter first, thereby postponing The Giver by several years.

While this is not confirmed by Warner Brothers, this is a pretty reliable source. Recently, producers David Heyman and David Barron have said that a few directors were under consideration and that an announcement would be made in the not too distant future, along with news about whether or not the seventh Potter film will indeed be split in two.

We'll keep you posted as more of this story unfolds.

Jason Isaacs Hopes to Return for DH Film

In a new interview with Rotten Tomatoes, actor Jason Isaacs discussed his hopes to return as Lucius Malfoy for the final Harry Potter film.

“I hope I’m coming back for seven,” Isaacs told [Rotten Tomatoes], “Dan’s going to Broadway to do his play for a long time, so I don’t know when or if I’m going to come back. But I’ll be even more bitter if I don’t get to return for seven!”

DH Two Film Split Under Consideration; Filming to Start Next February

The Daily Telegraph has a new interview with Harry Potter producers David Heyman and David Barron, in which the two discuss the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Concerning the rumors that the final book will be split into two films, the Davids confirm the possibility, but state that the idea is still under consideration and not near final.

"We are still discussing it. The announcement will be made hopefully in the not-too-distant future, with regards to the way seven shapes up," said Barron. "The only negative of splitting the book into two films, says Barron, "is that people could possibly perceive it as being one last chance at cashing in. But the real positive, if we were to do that, would be that we wouldn't have quite the battle we always have of 'How do you compress all that book into just over two hours of screen time?' It would be brilliant not to have to cut anything. But at the same time, we have to think it through properly. We'd have to be very certain that there were two proper, stand-alone films that could be generated from the source material."

As for who will be directing the film (or two films):

"There are an awful lot of directors, luckily for us, who are very keen on finishing the franchise off," says Barron.

"A couple of people have expressed interest, people have gotten a few calls and a few emails, but it's still a year away," Heyman says. "We won't start filming 'til February next year. So it hasn't really gone bananas yet. We've got thoughts, and I'm sure something will be announced in the not-too-distant future."