July 24, 2004
Rita Skeeter Cast
The Leaky Cauldron has just received exclusive information about casting in the upcoming Harry Potter film - The Goblet of Fire. According to reliable sources, actress Miranda Richardson will play the role of Rita Skeeter.
The Leaky Cauldron is still waiting for official confirmation, but seems fairly confidant about the accuracy of their source.
July 20, 2004
Harry Potter teaches love and faith at vacation bible school
Source: The Times Record
Though some people might have reservations because the "Harry Potter" books and films center around magic, wizards and mystery, St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church's Hary Potter-themed vacation Bible school served as inspirational food for the eyes, ears and souls of about 40 children, teenagers and adults this past week, said the Rev. Jeff Champlin.
"The world of magic is the world of imagination," Champlin said Tuesday. Champlin dressed and acted as Professor Dumbledorf during the nightly sessions. "Harry discovers he's on a journey to learn who he is, to learn the difference between good and evil.
"And in his world, Harry tries to overcome those challenges," he added. "It turns out that love is what sustains Harry. That is faith. That is what faith is about, and the books are a journey of the imagination."
Read more here
July 19, 2004
Rowling Bigger Than the Beatles?
(Source - SundayMail.co.uk)
By Mike Merritt
"HARRY Potter author JK Rowling's books have sold more than 260million copies. She's outstripped Queen of Pop Madonna's sales - and is set to overtake The Beatles. In just seven years since the launch of her first Harry Potter story, Rowling has become one of the most popular global artists of all time.
Estimated Beatles sales vary between 600million and one billion records. Madonna comes close to the top with 200million. But Elvis is the biggest recording artist ever, selling more than a billion records and CDs worldwide since 1954.
Rowling's agent, Christopher Little, announced the huge sales following the release of the paperback version of Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix.
She is already working on her next book, Harry Potter And The Half Blood Prince. A spokesman for publishers Bloomsbury said: 'The sales show no sign of slowing down.'
But on the literary front, Rowling will never be bigger than God - the Bible has sold up to six billion copies in its various forms. And The Little Red Book - quotations from the works of Chinese leader Mao Tse-tung - has sold 800million copies."
July 18, 2004
First Pics of actor set to play Cedric
Filming is already underway on Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, with teenage actor Robert Pattinson playing Triwizard Champion Cedric Diggory.
The film makers probably won't release any pictures of Robert playing Hufflepuff Seeker Cedric for some time, but CBBC Newsround can exclusively bring you the first pictures of him in a film he completed earlier this year.
Read more here
July 14, 2004
9000 Apply for Rowling Ballot
(From News.Scotsman.com): "THOUSANDS of Harry Potter fans have entered a ballot for a chance to meet author JK Rowling at the Edinburgh International Book Festival.
Just three days after the authors appearance was announced, more than 9000 people have already asked for an application form. The appearance in Edinburgh will be the authors first public reading for four years, and is to be her only book event this year. Only 500 tickets are available for the reading, but tens of thousands of entries are expected."
July 12, 2004
PoA Drops out of Top Ten (US Box Office)
After five weeks on the Top Ten Box Office Charts, 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban' dropped to #11 this weekend, grossing $3.8 million. The movie has grossed a total of $233 million since it's release on June 5th.
The film still ranks #2 in the UK though, having been edged out of it's #1 position by 'Shrek 2'.
July 11, 2004
Books 6 & 7 - Two Halves of the Same Novel
(Source: Mugglenet.com) JKR recently responded to a birthday fan file which was put together by Wizard City. Here is her letter in response:
"Thank you very much for your letters. I am currently working hard on the sixth Harry Potter book and enjoying the writing more than ever; Hopefully this means that it will be enjoyable to read!
With love from,
JK Rowling"
Does anyone else think we might have a cliff hanger in store for us at the end of Book 6?
JKR APPEARING AT EDINBURGH BOOK FESTIVAL
(Source - JKRowling.com): JKR will be reading and answering questions at the Edinburgh Book Festival on the 15th of August. It will be her fifth appearance at the Festival, and will coincide with the UK publication of 'Order of the Phoenix' in paperback.
JKR states that she's "looking forward to this event very much, because there will be a relatively small audience, which means I can see faces and take questions directly from the fans. Of course, events such as the readings at the Toronto Skydome and the Albert Hall are incredible, but nothing can replace the pleasure of interacting with enthusiastic readers, as opposed to waving at a sea of skin coloured blobs."
Tickets are by ballot only. Forms are available in the Herald newspaper on Saturday 10th July or the Sunday Herald on 11th July, or you can apply online at at www.bloomsbury.com.