This is the Wizard News Alert for Tuesday, August 19, 2008

The following stories were featured on WizardNews.com today:

Dan Radcliffe reveals he suffers from mild dyspraxia

Daniel Radcliffe says he has dyspraxia, a brain disorder associated with clumsiness. The Harry Potter star told the Daily Mail last weekend his disorder makes it hard from him to do simple things such as tie his shoelaces. "I sometimes think, 'Why, oh why, has Velcro not taken off?'" Radcliffe jokingly said.

Harry Potter fans decry movie delay

Harry Potter fans say they are dismayed over a decision to delay the U.S. release of the next film in the popular series from November until next June. Harry Potter fan sites have been spilling over with angry comments about Warner Bros.' decision to bump back the release date of the film, ABC News reported Tuesday.

Rumor: Daniel's Equus appearance blamed for Half-Blood Prince delay

Rumour has it that Warner Bros. pushed back the release of Half-Blood Prince because of Daniel Radcliffe's appearances in Equus on Broadway. Had they stuck to the film's original release date, Radcliffe would have been in the middle of the play. "That's not the image Warner Bros. wants associated with Harry," said Fox news.

Rupert says kissing Emma would be like snogging his sister

While most boys would give their right arm for a kiss with English actress Emma Watson, her co-star Rupert Grint has revealed that he is terrified of locking lips with her. "The kiss will be quite uncomfortable," the Sun quoted him as saying. "Emma's like a sister to me so it's going to be, like, really, really weird."

Warner Bros. responds to Harry Potter Fans

Alan Horn, President and Chief Operating Officer of Warner Bros., responded to outraged Harry Potter fans over the postponement of Half-Blood Prince. He said, "The decision to move Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was not taken lightly, and was never intended to upset our Harry Potter fans."

This is the Wizard News Alert for Thursday, August 21, 2008

The following stories were featured on WizardNews.com today:

All-day Harry Potter read-a-thon comes to the Web

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the release of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Scholastic has organized a cover-to-cover reading of the book to take place at its headquarters in New York on September 23. Fans can show up and participate, or can watch a live Webcast if they don't happen to be in New York.

BBC's 'Ballet Shoes' takes U.S. spin

The BBC's TV adaptation of Noel Streatfeild's Ballet Shoes will preem on the bigscreen in the U.S., prior to being released on DVD. Ballet Shoes reunites Harry Potter actors Emma Watson (Hermione), Gemma Jones (Madame Pomfrey) and Richard Griffiths (Uncle Vernon). The movie's limited release starts on Aug. 26.

Guillermo del Toro on the progress of The Hobbit

Guillermo del Toro spoke recently about Hellboy II and also discussed some interesting tidbits about the writing of the Hobbit script. "I'm knee deep in writing and throwing the long lines of the stories along with Peter, Fran and Philippa. I must say its going great - we are having a blast!"

Humor: Truth about the Harry Potter 6 delay revealed

After so much online speculation as to what the real problem with Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince the real problem has been revealed via a new behind-the-scenes shot featuring Dumbledore and an on-looking crew. However, one person seems out of place. Look closely and you should recognize the glasses, cane and striped shirt.

Rupert Grint grows up in new indie film

UK actor Rupert Grint, who plays the Ron Weasley in the "Harry Potter" series, is paralleling the career of Potter co-star Daniel Radcliffe in more ways than one. Grint has reportedly taken a part in an indie film in which he appears nude in a sex scene. He'll reportedly get naked with co-star Kimberley Nixon, who currently stars in a BBC series.

Tolga Safer stars in new thriller film

Young Turkish Cypriot actor Tolga Safer, who has appeared in a Harry Potter film, is starring in a new movie out this week. Shoot on Sight sees Tolga acting alongside top Hollywood actors Greta Scacchi and Brian Cox. 26 year-old Tolga plays the part of a Aziz, a young Muslim preacher who becomes involved in a terrorist plot.

This is the Wizard News Alert for Friday, August 22, 2008

The following stories were featured on WizardNews.com today:

Daniel Radcliffe talks about Equus and Harry Potter

When asked if being in Equus changed his reputation, Dan Radcliffe said that he is taken more seriously now, but that the biggest benefits were how much the experience built up his confidence. He remembers how, after the London opening, he couldn't stop smiling after everybody stood up at the end of the play, which is rather rare in London.

EA discusses future of Harry Potter games after the movies

Electronic Arts, the company that produces the Harry Potter video games for Warner Bros., hopes to make the Boy Who Lived continue to entertain game fans, even after the two-part Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows has bowed out of theaters. "We've done it with Lord of the Rings. There's more stories that we can tell."

New Harry Potter trailer is not new at all

The new Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince trailer everyone was talking about earlier in the week is here, and is exactly the same as the last one you saw. It seems the mystery trailer WB submitted for ratings in the UK was just a new version of their old trailer with the date on the end.

Richard Griffiths horses around on Broadway in Equus

"I know a lot of tickets are sold in order to have a look at Daniel's body," Richard Griffiths says about his upcoming appearance on Broadway in Equus. "He's completely cool about it." And, adds Griffiths, who affectionately calls Radcliffe "cunning," the young actor has spent the past two years working on his physique.

This is the Wizard News Alert for Monday, August 25, 2008

The following stories were featured on WizardNews.com today:

Daniel Radcliffe's lucky success

Daniel Radcliffe claims his success is down to "dumb luck". The actor shot to fame at the age of 11 after winning the role of Harry Potter in the movie versions of J.K. Rowling's children's books, but insists his success is down to a combination of good fortune and hard work.

Dolores Umbridge worst teacher in the movies

To counter their post on the 15 most inspiring teachers in the movies, The Times has now posted the 15 worst, teachers no one would enjoy being taught by. Topping the list is Dolores Umbridge from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. She may be a vision in pink, but Professor Umbridge is not just cruel, she's downright evil.

Hands on with Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince on DS

Harry Potter's sixth year at Hogwart's is disproportionately dominated by mini-games. More mini-game maven than master wizard, Potter appears set on the path to flunking out without any spellbinding gameplay to offer. To the game's credit, it does offer new wizard dueling that pits you against another of Hogwart's students.

Head of dyspraxia group thanks Dan Radcliffe

When Daniel Radcliffe spoke publicly about having dyspraxia recently, it was the first time many people had ever heard of it. Warren Fried, executive director of Dyspraxia USA, is grateful Dan has talked openly about it. "Finally, people are interested in what I've been trying to explain to them for the past 27 years," he said.

Warner Bros. sues Indian producer over 'Hari Puttar'

A Mumbai-based producer/distributor has been sued by Warner Bros. for the title of its upcoming film 'Hari Puttar -- A Comedy of Terrors', which they believe is a too similar to Harry Potter. 'Hari Puttar', a comedy that centres on a 10-year-old Indian boy whose family moves to England, is slated for a September 12 release.

This is the Wizard News Alert for Monday, September 8, 2008

The following stories were featured on WizardNews.com today:

Daniel Radcliffe is magic in Equus' Broadway bebut

Daniel Radcliffe wowed New York theatregoers on Friday night as he made his Broadway debut in Equus. Student Mandy Menaker, who caught the preview at the Broadhurst Theater on Friday, said, "I thought that he was terrific. He had a lot to offer. So I thought it was great." Another fan said, "He captured the character (and) he was so into it."

EA delays Half-Blood Prince to coincide with movie release

EA and Warner Brothers Interactive confirmed today that they are pushing back the release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince to coincide with the theatrical release next summer. Originally, the game version was intended to hit retail shelves this November.

J.K. Rowling wins copyright claim against fan encyclopedia

A judge ruled Monday in favor of J.K. Rowling in her copyright infringement lawsuit against a fan and Web site operator who was set to publish a Harry Potter encyclopedia. U.S. District Judge Robert P. Patterson said Rowling had proven that Steven Vander Ark's "Harry Potter Lexicon" would cause her irreparable harm as a writer.

Scholastic celebrates Harry Potter's 10th with read-a-thon

Scholastic will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the first Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, by hosting a fan read-thon September 23. On "Harry Potter Cover to Cover Day," muggles of all ages will have a chance to sit in the throne used by Rowling in her US appearances and read from the book.

Warner Bros receives hate mail over Half-Blood Prince delay

In August Warner Bros. made the surprise announcement that it was putting back the release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince from November to next July. Warner Bros. has since received death threats, according to The Wall Street Journal. An online petition has also garnered more than 45,000 signatures.

This is the Wizard News Alert for Wednesday, September 10, 2008

The following stories were featured on WizardNews.com today:

Emma Watson considers move to America

Emma Watson will take up a place in 2009 after a well-earned gap year and had been expected to secure a place at Cambridge. However she has revealed that she is also considering pursuing a course on the other side of the Atlantic. "I've applied to a few universities for next year, including several American ones."

Half-Blood Prince delay brings out worst in fans

To a world of wand-wielding Harry Potter loyalists, Alan Horn, president of Warner Bros. has crossed to the dark side. Within hours of Warner Bros.' decision to postpone the release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince to next July, hate mail began to pour into the studio.

Phelps Twins appearing in London this weekend

James and Oliver Phelps, better known as the Weasley twins, will be giving people a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Harry Potter at the Thames Festival in London this weekend. The festival takes place on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th September. Movie-making sessions are free but you need to book a place to take part.

Potter court ruling gets attention of citizens law group

The Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University said today they will "work closely" with a new nonprofit that launched on the heels of a judge's copyright ruling involving the Harry Potter books. Their director said, "We are seeing far too many important works being scuttled because of baseless legal threats."

Video: Emma Watson says next Potter is a romantic comedy

Speaking at the National Movie Awards, Emma Watson, Hermione in the Harry Potter films, has likened upcoming Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince movie to a romantic comedy. "It's got Ron's first kiss with Lavender in it, which is quite big news. It's a lot more fun. It's still dark but it's funnier," she said.

This is the Wizard News Alert for Monday, September 15, 2008

The following stories were featured on WizardNews.com today:

Bollywood's Hari Puttar premiere postponed over lawsuit

The Bollywood children's film Hari Puttar has been forced to postpone its premiere after the Hollywood studio behind the Harry Potter blockbusters took the Indian producers to court over the title. Hari Puttar was due to open at the end of last week but will now only be shown later this month. A Delhi court is due to hear the case this month.

Contest celebrates Harry Potter's 10th annivesary

It's hard to believe it's the 10th Anniversary of Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone. To celebrate, DiscoveringDad.com is hosting a contest with outstanding prizes for Harry Potter fans. The contest runs from Friday, September 12th through Friday, October 10th, and it is open to people living in the U.S. and Canada.

Daniel Radcliffe testing his acting limits on Broadway

About Equus on Broadway, Dan Radcliffe says, "Even if I screw up, it's good to know what my limits are. It's good to get a sense of what I can and cannot do. Every actor has limits. It's sort of testing out where they are. Luckily, I haven't found them yet. I suppose the thing I've learned is that I think I am more capable than I thought I was."

Emma Watson to travel the world after film's postponement

Emma Watson is taking a break from movies to travel. The Harry Potter actress, who plays Hermione Granger in the wizard franchise, has decided to see the world following the postponement of the release date of the next installment in the series, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. She may also go to NY to see Dan Radcliffe in Equus.

Harry Potter Lexicon case not over yet

The two men who lost a lawsuit against J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. haven't given up. Publisher Roger Rapoport, and Steve Vander Ark, a Grand Rapids area librarian and creator of the Harry Potter Lexicon, expect their attorneys this week to file an appeal to allow the legal battle for their Harry Potter book to continue.

Rupert Grint to buy house in London?

Rupert Grint has been spotted looking at properties in London, prompting suggestions that he is to move to the capital. The Harry Potter actor reportedly viewed a house next door to Keira Knightley near Hyde Park. Grint will next star alongside Bill Nighy and Helena Bonham Carter as a young apprentice hitman in the Jonathan Lynn directed movie Wild Target.

Was Severus Snape based on a science teacher at J.K.'s school?

One of JK Rowling's former teachers says he suspects the author may have based one of her Harry Potter characters on him. John Nettleship taught at Wyedean Comprehensive between 1976 and 1983 when JK Rowling was a pupil there. He said he believes Hogwarts teacher Severus Snape may have been partly based on him.

Will Potter fanatic's next book draw legal heat from J.K. Rowling?

Steven Vander Ark, creator of the Harry Potter Lexicon, is publishing a "travel memoir" detailing visits to British locations he claims inspired the Harry Potter series. Rowling's agents have asked to see a copy of In Search of Harry Potter before it is published next month to ensure it does not breach copyright.

The following stories were featured on WizardNews.com today:

'Hogwarts Professor' to lecture on Harry Potter and the Christian Faith

Author and "Hogwarts Professor" John Granger will present a two-day lecture on J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter books and the Christian faith as part of the Honors College Lecture Series on the Baylor campus. Granger will explain how Rowling's seventh and final book is "her story about the difficulty and importance of faith."

Bookstore predicts Brisingr will be as popular as Harry Potter

Brisingr will be 'met with near Harry Potter-style demand' when it goes on sale on Sept 20, according to Waterstone's. More than 15 million copies have been sold of the first two books worldwide. Toby Bourne, Waterstone's fiction and children's category manager, said Brisingr had the potential to become the Christmas best seller.

City of Edinburgh to honor J.K. Rowling

J.K. Rowling is to be honoured by the city where she created the Harry Potter books. She has been selected to receive the Edinburgh Award. She said, "It is an absolute honour to receive this award, as Edinburgh is very much home for me and is the place where Harry evolved over seven books and many, many hours of writing in its cafes."

David Tennant nixed J.K. appearance in Dr. Who

Doctor Who star David Tennant reportedly refused to work with J.K. Rowling in a Christmas special. Show creator Russel T. Davies has revealed in The Times that he planned to write the Harry Potter author into this year's Christmas Day episode, as a follow up to Kylie Minogue's cameo last year, but David didn't like the idea, forcing it to be scrapped.

Inter-collegiate quidditch is on its way

College students worldwide have picked up brooms to join the quidditch craze sweeping the nation. The first informal college quidditch league was formed at Middlebury College in 2006, and has since expanded to include 179 college and 30 high school teams across the United States and abroad.

Wizard Rock takes off in Brooklyn this Sunday

The NYC Wizard Rock Festival is set to take place this Sunday, September 21. Featuring an enormous line up of Harry Potter-inspired bands, the Wizard Rock Festival is coming to Williamsburg's Public Assembly (formerly Galapagos Art Space) for eight solid hours of performances.

This is the Wizard News Alert for Monday, December 1, 2008.

The following stories were featured on WizardNews.com today:

ALAN RICKMAN ON LIFE AFTER HARRY POTTER
Since Rickman's movie-acting debut in 1988's Die Hard, the actor has delivered acclaimed performances in films such as Sense and Sensibility, Galaxy Quest, the Harry Potter series, Love Actually, and Perfume: The Story of a Murderer. In this interview, he talks about how he feels that the Harry Potter films are almost done.

HARRY POTTER STILL MOST POPULAR BOOKS AMONG COLLEGE-AGED STUDENTS
Harry Potter's popularity plummeted among college-aged readers this year, but the boy wizard still rules as the favorite book of this coveted demographic. Anderson Analytics reports that J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series is still the most popular book overall, followed closely by Stephenie Meyer's vampire series, Twilight.

HOLLYWOOD AUCTION INCLUDES SIGNED HARRY POTTER BOOKS
A complete set of Harry Potter books signed by J.K. Rowling, and a three-volume collection of The Lord of the Rings signed by J.R.R. Tolkien will be included in the Profiles in History's Hollywood auction, to be held Dec. 11 in Calabasas, California.  Also in the auction will be Luke Skywalker's lightsaber from Star Wars.

LEGO HARRRY POTTER IN DEVELOPMENT?
First it was Star Wars, then came Indiana Jones followed most recently by Batman. But the next big property to be reborn in little plastic blocks will be Harry Potter. There are no solid details on what form the game will take but an action-adventure type of romp taking its lead from the books (or movies) would be the safe bet.

This is the Wizard News Alert for Thursday, December 4, 2008.

The following stories were featured on WizardNews.com today:

HARRY POTTER FANS FLOCK FOR NEW J.K. ROWLING BOOK
Recession-hit booksellers are hoping for a magical boost from a new book by Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling. Expectations are high for the Tales of Beedle the Bard, which has a global print run of 8 million copies. The day before publication, Beedle the Bard was ranked No. 1 on Amazon's British and U.S. Web sites.

ROWLING OFFERS POTTER FANS A GIFT WITH NEW BOOK
Just in time for the holidays, J.K. Rowling has given Harry Potter fans a little gift. The title of the book, The Tales of Beedle the Bard, should be instantly familiar to all Potter fans. That was the book Harry's friend Hermione Granger was bequeathed following the death of Albus Dumbledore. Fans now have a reason to smile a little.

ABC FAMILY'S SNEAK PEEK AT HALF-BLOOD PRINCE THIS WEEKEND
A special Harry Potter weekend kicks off tonight on ABC Family, airing movies and related footage through Sunday night. The Potter weekend also will include footage from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, opening July 17, and will feature comments from Dan Racliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson and Michael Gambon.

BEEDLE THE BARD SHOWS WHY WE ALL NEED FAIRY TALES
The roots of fairy stories run very deep, and The Tales of Beedle the Bard are just the latest little fruits on a very old tree. In fact, the notion that magical children need their fairy stories is a reminder of the importance of the genre. Fairy tales are one of the few elements of popular culture that most of us still have in common.

DANIEL RADCLIFFE COMES TO TERMS WITH BEING HARRY POTTER
Daniel Radcliffe has accepted he'll forever be linked to his wand-wielding character Harry Potter, because his role in the film has "given him everything". Dan attempted to shed his boyish image by appearing on the London and New York stages in Equus. But Radcliffe insists he'll always be thankful for his magical role in the blockbuster franchise.

J.K. ROWLING HOSTS TEA PARTY TO LAUNCH BEEDLE
J.K.  Rowling hosted a children's tea party yesterday to mark the launch of The Tales Of Beedle The Bard. Rowling read a passage from the tales yesterday to the children gathered at Edinburgh's Parliament Hall, who also got a copy of the book and took part in a question-and-answer session with the writer.

POTTER FAN DEMAND PROMPTED NEW BOOK, SAYS ROWLING
J.K. Rowling said on Thursday that it was demand from Harry Potter fans that prompted her to publish her latest work "The Tales of Beedle the Bard." "The idea actually came from you, by which I mean Harry Potter fans," Rowling told around 200 primary school children gathered at the Beedle the Bard launch party.

PUBLISHER WILL ISSUE HARRY POTTER LEXICON
The subject of a lengthy, groundbreaking legal battle with Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, the soon-to-be-published lexicon has a cover that appears to be one big nod to copyright. "An Unauthorized Guide to Harry Potter Fiction and Related Materials" appears boldly below "The Lexicon" title and above author Steve Vander Ark's name.

WIZARD ROCK BANDS RISING
Wizard rock can be traced to 2002 with the creation of Harry and the Potters, an indie rock duo from Boston whose members resemble the young wizard. Since then, hundreds of wizard-rock bands have formed, taking characters or story lines from the Harry Potter novels and transforming them into a garage-band style of music.

This is the Wizard News Alert for Saturday, December 13, 2008.

HARRY POTTER STUNTMAN CELEBRATES MAGICAL LOTERY WIN
A stuntman who has rubbed shoulders with some of Hollywood's leading stars was celebrating today after scooping a £7 million ($10.5 million) lottery windfall. Mark Lisbon, who doubled for Gary Oldman as Sirius Black in the film Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban said the enormity of the prize money has not sunk in.

POTTER PRINCESS GETS ANIMATED
Emma Watson has taken time off from Harry Potter to venture into the land of Dor, and she's had a ball.  She supplied the voice for a forlorn princess named Pea in the upcoming animated film version of the award-winning novel, The Tale Of Despereaux, about a gallant mouse, played by Matthew Broderick, who rescues her from a kidnapping.

ROWLING STILL MAGICAL, POTTER OR NOT
Perhaps the very best thing about the mass production of The Tales of Beedle the Bard is that part of the proceeds and all of Rowling's royalties will be donated to Children's Voice. This will be no small change: Just three days after its release on Dec. 4, 368,000 copies of The Tales of Beedle the Bard had been sold.

SUNDAY TIMES REVIEW: THE TALES OF BEEDLE THE BARD
In The Tales of Beedle the Bard, J.K. Rowling is tough on her readers. Harry Potter is neither revived nor returned to Hogwarts for another round of adventures in any of these five fairy tales; he is not even mentioned. Rowling's aim in bringing these tales together is to introduce the bard's wisdom to a muggle audience.

VIDEO: QUIDDITCH WORLD CUP IN VERMONT
Boston University recently competed against eleven other schools in the second annual Intercollegiate Quidditch World Cup, held in Vermont, at Middlebury. "The entire season has been leading up to this event," says Raven Villegas. "The World Cup is the ultimate Quidditch experience, and I've been dreaming about it for months."

VIDEO: WORLD PREMIERE OF HARRY POTTER EXHIBIT COMING TO CHICAGO
Harry Potter fans in the Chicago areawill finally have a chance to get a first-hand look inside the famous wizard's magical world through Harry Potter: The Exhibition, which will open at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago on April 30, 2009. Tickets are now on sale.

WHY ROBERT PATTINSON IS LOVE AT FIRST BITE
Last week, as the day of the UK premiere of the Twilight movie dawned, excited girls started thronging in London's Leicester Square at 4am.  It is said that Robert Pattinson's contract stipulates that he is not allowed to go out in the sun lest he spoil that perfect pale vampire complexion. (He is already signed up for New Moon, the second Twilight movie.)

This is the Wizard News Alert for Saturday, February 21, 2009

The following stories were featured on WizardNews.com today:

Half-Blood Prince spoilers to be unveiled tonight on MTV

Tonight on Spoilers on MTV, director David Yates, along with Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, will speak about the upcoming film Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and its much darker themes. Unseen clips will be shown and new cast members introduced.

Interview: Close-up with Ralph Fiennes

In a new interview, Ralph Fiennes talks about playing evil characters. The uniform evil of Lord Voldemort in Harry Potter is difficult to play, he says, because it's a blank, but complicated malevolence fascinates him. "Blanket badness is hard, but the real human psyche has more twists and turns than that. That's what's interesting."

J.K. Rowling fumes after pal puts gifts on eBay

J. K. Rowling is reportedly enraged that items gifted to a pal have been put for sale on eBay. She was said to be livid that a 5,000-pound price tag had been placed on the gifts presented to a family friend before she hit the spotlight. "We gather Ms Rowling is not pleased that they have been resold," said the seller.

Prince and Harry Potter linked in history and mystery

Bonnie Prince Charlie admirers and Harry Potter fans are being caught up in a mix of mystery and history. And it all focuses on one very famous scenic location, Glenfinnan. It was here the Prince's Jacobite Standard was raised in 1745. Two-and-a-half centuries on, it appears it in the blockbusting Harry Potter movies.

Robert Pattinson will be presenter at Oscars on Sunday

Robert Pattinson is now in Hollywood to be presenting at the Academy Awards on Sunday night. His Twilight costar Kristen Stewart is not expected to join him. Mr. Pattinson was spotted in Beverly Hills yesterday, followed by dinner in West Hollywood, where he hung out in the patio area and ate dinner with friends.

This is the Wizard News Alert for Monday, February 23, 2009

The following stories were featured on WizardNews.com today:

Chance to bid on signed Harry Potter Book for charity

Fans of Harry Potter are able to bid on a rare first edition of The Deathly Hallows, the seventh book in the series, signed by author J.K. Rowling. The auction is being run Celeb2nds.com, a website that specializes in celebrity charity auctions. The Harry Potter auction runs until March 7.

Gas leak at Harry Potter construction prompts theme park evacuation

A gas leak at a Harry Potter ride at Universal Studios' Islands of Adventure prompted a partial evacuation of the Florida theme park. Saturday's gas leak occurred at the construction site for the theme park's forthcoming Wizarding World of Harry Potter ride, based on the popular Harry Potter book and movie series.

Islamic schools ban 'Western' Harry Potter

Research shows that young students are taught to ban Western culture according to a report in the British Daily Mail newspaper. Students are encouraged to reject Western ways. Cricket, board games, Western music, Shakespeare and even the popular Harry Potter books are considered out of bounds.

J.K. Rowling weaves spell at hospital

J.K. Rowling daubed graffiti on the walls of the Young People's Unit on a visit to the Royal Edinburgh Hospital in Morningside, which cares for teenagers with complex psychiatric conditions. Dr. Jane Morris said, "She really does spread magic. She's a natural and knows how to talk to young people." J.K. drew pictures of the staff and wrote "J.K. Rowling was here."

This is the Wizard News Alert for Friday, February 27, 2009

The following stories were featured on WizardNews.com today:

Bidding soars for first edition Harry Potter

Bidding for a softcover, first edition copy of "Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone" is up to $15,000, a rare book dealer in Dallas said Tuesday. The auction is being conducted online now and at Heritage Auction Galleries in Dallas March 6-7. The volume is one of only 200 such copies issued by the London publisher, Bloomsbury.

Chicago museum offers fans first-hand look at Harry Potter

The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago will host Harry Potter: The Exhibition, starting April 30, 2009. Guests will be able to enjoy some of their favorite props and costumes from the films, including Harry's original wand and eyeglasses, Gryffindor school uniforms, and some of the elaborate Yule Ball costumes.

Fan camps out to get part in final Potter film

An American Harry Potter nut is so desperate for a bit-part in the final movie he is blowing his $15,000 savings to stage a vigil outside the studios. Since Monday, Brent Klovstad, 21, has waved placards for 12 hours a day at producers working on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows at Leavesden Studios in Watford.

Final Harry Potter film to be released in 2011

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II is expected in cinemas from July 15, 2011. The seventh book in J.K. Rowling's series will be filmed in two parts because of its length. Part I will be out on November 19, 2010, while fifth instalment Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince is scheduled for release this July.

Harry Potter and Twilight help novels make comeback

It was only a decade ago scholars began to ponder the future of the novel. These worries are those of the past, though you are the generation they feared. The literary savior was J.K. Rowling. The name itself seems magical and fittingly so, for it was by the power of magic books made comeback.

Robert Pattinson says Potter was easier to film than Twilight

Robert Pattinson says he found filming Harry Potter easier than filming Twilight. "It's different. When I was doing Harry Potter, it was already a slick machine by the time I got into it. Whereas with Twilight, people didn't realize really what it was, the extent of what it was, and it kept growing and growing."

Rupert Grint says they are spoiled by Harry Potter

Rupert Grint says he really enjoyed filming his new movie Cherrybomb, because it was so different from Harry Potter. "I really enjoy it because it is a totally different world. I think we do get a bit spoiled on Harry Potter. I really prefer the pace of these sorts of films, on this one you do maybe seven scenes a day. It's exciting."

Win a trip to see the Harry Potter Exhibition in Chicago

Warner Bros. has announced that fans will have an opportunity to win a trip to experience the upcoming Harry Potter: Exhibition, premiering April 30 in Chicago. Also, it has been annouced that the Harry Potter: Exhibition has been extended three additional weeks, allowing fans to experience the fun through September 27, 2009.

This is the Wizard News Alert for Monday, March 16, 2009

The following stories were featured on WizardNews.com today:

Emma Watson says her fame makes boys feel intimidated

Harry Potter actress Emma Watson says it is hard to find a boyfriend at her age and her fame makes it even harder because it will make some boys feel intimidated. She said, "Finding someone that you like, or who likes you, is always difficult at my age. Being famous complicates things much more."

Harry Potter and the Twitter of Secrets

Thanks to our pals over at LewisLovers.com who reminded us that fans can now follow Harry Potter actor Matthew Lewis on Twitter! About tweeting, Matt says, "I figured that it's a good way of keeping in touch with fans and that. I'm on here every day, thought it'd be fun to keep people up to date!"

Interview: Toby Jones says Dobby returning for final films

Actor Toby Jones, voice of Dobby the house elf in the Harry Potter films, says in a recent interview, "I'm currently doing the new Harry Potter film; in fact, the last two Harry Potter films." He is starring in the European premiere of Jez Butterworth's surreal play about British suburbia, Parlour Song, which starts previews this week.

Lord of the Rings quests from EA to Warner Brothers

Electronic Arts is suffering a loss of one of their top licensed franchises, as their deal with New Line Cinema for Lord of the Rings-based games ended at the end of 2008, and the franchise franchise has come back to New Line's parent company, Warner Brothers, valuable with the promise of two Hobbit films coming in 2011 and 2012.

Several new Half-Blood Prince pics uncovered

Three new photos of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince have come out on the net. One of the pics is a new promotional image of Harry Potter, presenting Daniel Radcliffe as the titular character wearing a white T-shirt covered with red jacket. The film premieres in the U.K. and U.S. simultaneously on July 17.

This is the Wizard News Alert for Tuesday, March 17, 2009

The following stories were featured on WizardNews.com today:

Daniel Radcliffe's stunt double unlikely to walk again

Daniel Radcliffe's stunt double wept after he was told he will never walk again. David Holmes was hospitalised in January with a back injury after falling from a harness at Leavesden Studios, where he was practising flying scenes for the forthcoming Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Half-Blood Prince game hands-on preview

The new Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince game for the Wii from EA's Bright Light Studio features three separate types game play, Quidditch, potion-brewing and duelling, and over the course of the afternoon I got to try all of them. After looking at these demos, the game looks like it's coming together nicely.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows film to feature Pembrokeshire

Part of the next Harry Potter film is set to be filmed in west Wales. Seaside scenes in the book are set to be filmed on Pembrokeshire's coastline, which will represent the fictional village of Tinworth in Cornwall where characters Harry, Hermione and Ron take shelter in Shell Cottage.

This is the Wizard News Alert for Wednesday, March 18, 2009

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Harry Potter and the Prince's Scar

Prince William today revealed that he was left with a "Harry Potter scar" after being hit around the head with a golf club when he was a boy. The Prince said the scar "glows sometimes," like that of the boy wizard, and had been caused by a friend wielding a seven iron while on a putting green.

Local Twilight DVD parties to include message from cast

"Twilight" comes at midnight this Friday. And for that season, numerous stores will keep the doors open past closing to accommodate the fans dying to get their hands on the newly released DVD. And, an exclusive message for "Twilight" fans directly from the film's cast will be shown before midnight, only in Wal-Mart stores.

This is the Wizard News Alert for Friday, March 20, 2009

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A closer look at Harry Potter World in Orlando

Kristen over at JK Rowling Fan and went to Universal's Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Florida, recently, and posted some very nice pictures of the upcoming Wizarding World of Harry Potter that they've been building since 2007, completion planned for sometime in 2010.

Can New Moon and the Twilight saga endure the hype?

With Twilight almost out on DVD and with over eight months remaining before Twilight fans head to theaters on November 20 to take a bite out of the sequel New Moon, the internet is abuzz with all things New Moon and Twilight related. But with so much hype leading up to New Moon, is it possible it will suffer from over-exposure?

Robert Hardy rechristens town hall in Norfolk, England

Actor Robert Hardy, who played Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge in the Harry Potter films and starred in All Creatures Great and Small, will mark the re-opening of Lammas village hall on March 28 with an evening of poetry and anecdotes from his stage, screen and television career. He will also unveil a plaque commemorating his visit.

Robert Pattinson says Ralph Fiennes scared him

Robert Pattinson might seem confident but some things really do scare him, like going to big events with hundreds of screaming girls, and meeting his Harry Potter co-star Ralph Fiennes. "I was quite intimidated by Ralph Fiennes. I didn't really talk to him while I was doing Harry Potter and the only thing I did with him was when he stepped on my head."

Twilight DVD bonuses shine

This is no ordinary weekend, as Twilight comes out on DVD, with the sort of release parties usually reserved for Harry Potter books. The two-disc special edition includes audio commentary by director Catherine Hardwicke, Pattinson and Stewart and five extended and five deleted scenes.

This is the Wizard News Alert for Monday, March 23, 2009

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Chris Weitz to direct Twilight sequel

Each Twilight movie will end up with a different director. Chris Weitz directs the next film, New Moon, which starts shooting next week in Vancouver, following rehearsals earlier this month. Eclipse will shoot soon after. There is no director yet for it, despite Internet rumors.

Harry Potter Book Sells For $19K

A rare copy of the first book in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone here in the states, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in author J.K. Rowling's native England, has sold for $19,120. Autographed by Rowling, the first edition soft cover book was expected to fetch $12,000 at the auction in Texas.

Rupert Grint movie Wild Target available in July

Rupert Grint's latest film Wild Target is still in post-production. A new article which suggests that the film will be "available for delivery" in July 2009. The film is being directed by Jonathan Lynn and stars Bill Nighy, Emily Blunt, Rupert Grint, Rupert Everett, Martin Freeman, Gregor Fisher and Eileen Atkins.

Twilight DVD sells more than 3 million copies on first day

The DVD of Breaking Dawn sold 1.3 million copies on just one day. The movie adaptation of Twilight had a $70 million opening weekend in November. Now the juggernaut that is Stephenie Meyer's vampire romance franchise has continued its dizzying streak of commercial hits with the film selling more than 3 million DVDs on the first day of its release.

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