Win 'Prisoner of Azkaban', 'Goblet of Fire' ultimate editions and Blu-ray player! 
By Andy on 20 October 2010 at 10:56 GMT
Harry Potter Fan Zone is giving away copies of the ultimate editions of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire on DVD and Blu-ray!
One lucky visitor will receive both ultimate editions on Blu-ray plus a Blu-ray disc player valued at $299. Three runners up will win two sets of both ultimate editions on DVD.
The Prisoner of Azkaban Ultimate Editions will give you these bonus features:
- Creating the World of Harry Potter Part 3: Creatures and featurette – Tour Nick Dudman's Creature Shop
- Additional Special Features: Featurettes – Creating the Vision: an interview with J.K. Rowling and the filmmakers, Conjuring a Scene: Creating Buckbeak and the Dementors for the screen; Additional Scenes and more
- 48-Page Creatures Photo Book
- Two Collectible Character Cards: Hermione Granger, Sirius Black
- Year 3 Lenticular Card
- Bonus Digital Copy of the Theatrical Film
The Goblet of Fire Ultimate Editions will give you these bonus features:
- Creating the World of Harry Potter Part 4: Sound & Music
- Additional Special Features: Featurettes – Preparing for the Yule Ball; conversations with the Cast; Reflections on the Fourth Film; and more
- 44-Page Sound & Music Photo Book
- Two Collectible Character Cards: Ronald Weasley, Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody
- Year 4 Lenticular Card
- Bonus Digital Copy of the Theatrical Film
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Watch the 'Deathly Hallows: Part 1' television spots
By Andy on 20 October 2010 at 10:29 GMT
Warner Bros. has released nine thirty-second television spots for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1. You can check them out over at their YouTube channel, or below.
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Bellatrix Lestrange 'Deathly Hallows: Part 1' poster
By Andy on 17 October 2010 at 06:07 GMT
Check out a new poster for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 featuring Bellatrix Lestrange and the tagline, "the hunt begins".
You can see more of the "hunt begins" character posters by clicking here.
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Check out Dobby in a new 'Deathly Hallows: Part 1' poster
By Andy on 14 October 2010 at 23:11 GMT
Warner Bros. has released a new promotional poster for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, this time featuring Dobby the house-elf.
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Exclusive interview with Andy Linden, Mundungus Fletcher in 'Deathly Hallows'
By Andy on 12 October 2010 at 11:22 GMT
I recently had the pleasure of chatting to Andy Linden, the actor who will portray Mundungus Fletcher in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Although Mundungus appears in a number of the Harry Potter books, this is the first time we'll see him brought to life on screen.
Harry Potter Fan Zone (HPFZ): How did you come to be cast as Mundungus Fletcher?
Andy Linden (AL): I'll be brutally honest with you; a bit of nepotism came into play there as it does with showbiz. I've worked with David Yates before. I did an art house movie with him many years ago when the world was flat [laughs]. Then I had a small role in State of Play, a quite successful TV series, so he [kept] me in mind for Mundungus Fletcher.
HPFZ: Were you a Harry Potter fan at all? Had you read the books or seen the films?
AL: I'd read the last book actually. The thing is you see I'm pushing fifty-seven, so at my time of life it was more Lord of the Rings in terms of fantasy. I was in my forties [when the first Harry Potter book was released] and I wouldn't have known about Harry Potter, but in my youth it was Tolkien really.
HPFZ: Did you read up on the books once you'd been cast or go back and check what your character got up to?
AL: Yes, I did. I read the last one – the one that I was involved in – and I started watching the movies just to get a feel and shape of things to come.
HPFZ: When did you start filming Deathly Hallows?
AL: That would have been late February/early March 2009. I do believe mine was the very first scene [shot].
HPFZ: Was that the Seven Potters scene?
AL: No, that was later on. This was a scene in Diagon Alley. The scene is set where it's absolutely chucking it down. It's [raining] relentlessly. Needless to say, I was quite the big drip all day.
HPFZ: Could you talk about what other scenes Mundungus appears in? There's another scene in the book where he gets attacked by a house-elf.
AL: Yes, Dobby and Kreacher attack him in the kitchen. I do believe it's Kreacher that brings him back from Diagon Alley because he stole the [locket]. Eventually, he's questioned by the three of them regarding it. There are three very good scenes and it's a lovely little cameo. I had such a great time doing it.
HPFZ: Does Mundungus appear in Deathly Hallows: Part II at all?
AL: No, alas, Mundungus is not in Part II which is a shame really, but he's a joy to play.
HPFZ: What was it like doing special effects scenes for example transforming into Harry?
AL: Time consuming [laughs]. It's all highly technical so consequently all the scenes are broken up if you know what I mean. You're kind of acting to nothing really. It's hundreds of little series of eye liners and pulling faces and trying to anticipate what's coming next.
HPFZ: Daniel Radcliffe mentioned that that sequence took ninety-five takes to film.
AL: Yes, and that really wasn't the inability of the actors. It was technical. It was [the crew] having so much coverage that they're spoiled for choice if you know what I mean.
HPFZ: Did you get to ride on a broom as well?
AL: Yes, I did [laughs] but in the guise of Harry Potter. By then everybody had taken the Polyjuice [Potion]. Consequently, we're all decoys. That particular scene took a long, long time simply because Daniel had to replicate all our different expressions and movements.
HPFZ: It sounds like it was a pretty intense process.
AL: Yeah, somewhat elongated shall we say. But I had a great time on Harry Potter. I thought the cast were wonderful; the crew are fantastic as well. You've got a crew there that know exactly what they're doing. They've been doing it for ten years and you're in good hands.
HPFZ: Finally, in the books, Mundungus is a big one for hoarding souvenirs. Were you able to take any souvenirs away from your experience on Harry Potter?
AL: I would love to say yes, but I couldn't really. They're quite precious when it comes to props and costume. Even script, you've got to guard it with your life. I've taken away from it some good memories.
Harry Potter Fan Zone would like to thank Andy for his time in putting together this interview.
Tags: Andy Linden, Deathly Hallows Movies, Harry Potter Fan Zone - 2 Comments - Permanent Link
Four new 'Deathly Hallows' character posters
By Andy on 12 October 2010 at 06:43 GMT
Warner Bros. has released four new character banners promoting Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I.
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'Deathly Hallows' orchestrator provides new soundtrack info
By Andy on 11 October 2010 at 00:27 GMT
Conrad Pope, the orchestrator for the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I soundtrack, has provided another update via his Facebook page. The score, which is composed by Alexandre Desplat, is due for release on November 16th. Recording began in September.
Back in L.A. after working on HP7 for Alexandre Desplat. The score adds a new dimension to Potter. Wish I could be more specific and share all my thoughts and news but I've promised the producers my silence until the picture is released. So, everyone with questions: please know they'll be all answered soon enough. For me, it's on to the next panic…. I mean project! (Actually HP was a delight, as these things go)
Last month, Pope also provided information regarding some of the themes we should expect in the score.
27 August: Working on Alexandre Desplat's new score for the next "Potter". Exciting, vigorous music! Harry flies, fights and conjures. All accompanied by the distinctive, definitely non-generic voice of Desplat. Those who love melodies, harmonies and emotions in their film scores should be pleased. Reminds one of the old days. Stay tuned.
24 September: Just finished the first week with the LSO of recording Alexandre Desplat's score to "HP7". Harry Potter now occupies a new musical universe. For Lovegood AD has written a charming, "groovin'" theme. Dobby, too, is given a new "voice". The emotional music reaches its climax in Ron’s speech in the "wilderness" where the poetry of AD conveys the emotion in a single chord's voicing. Stay tuned.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I will be released on November 19.
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'Deathly Hallows: Part I' won't be in 3D
By Andy on 8 October 2010 at 23:27 GMT
Warner Bros. today announced that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I will not be released in 3D.
Warner Bros Pictures has made the decision to release "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1" in 2D, in both conventional and IMAX theaters, as we will not have a completed 3D version of the film within our release date window. Despite everyone's best efforts, we were unable to convert the film in its entirety and meet the highest standards of quality. We do not want to disappoint fans who have long-anticipated the conclusion of this extraordinary journey, and to that end, we are releasing our film day-and-date on November 19, 2010 as planned. We, in alignment with our filmmakers, believe this is the best course to take in order to ensure that our audiences enjoy the consummate "Harry Potter" experience.
Producer David Heyman said, "For 10 years, we have worked alongside Alan Horn and the studio, whose priority has always been to preserve the integrity of Jo Rowling's books as we have adapted them to the screen, and this decision reflects that commitment."
Director David Yates continued, "This decision, which we completely support, underscores the fact that Warner Bros. has always put quality first."
As scheduled, on July 15, 2011, we will deliver to conventional and IMAX theaters our final installment of the film franchise, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2," in both 2D and 3D formats.
Tags: Deathly Hallows Movies - 1 Comment - Permanent Link
Evanna Lynch talks Luna Lovegood on the set of 'Deathly Hallows'
By Andy on 7 October 2010 at 11:27 GMT
Following on from our set visit piece the other day, we can now bring you the full interview with Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood) from the set of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. We'll have more with Evanna (part two related quotes) next year.
Question: I'm curious if you could talk a little bit about when you first got the seventh book. Where were you? What was your reaction to reading it?
Lynch: Yeah, I was invited to J.K. Rowling's big thing in the History Museum in London. I went all dressed up and everything as usual and didn't get recognised. Lucky. And, yeah, I read it in my hotel really quickly. My reaction, yeah, I was a bit overwhelmed. You know when you're a fan you want to take it all in but you feel guilty when you put the book down because it's like, "there's stuff I don't know in there". I read it in a rush and sort of cried for ages after.
Question: You're sort of the ultimate dream come true fan because you became a character in the films and now you're seeing it to the end here. What's that like for you? I mean, this was kind of your first acting job. You've been with this franchise for a while now and now it's coming to an end, what does that feel like for you?
Lynch: Yeah, weird I know. Someone asked me on set, "do you still get excited coming on?". I don't get used to it at all. And I feel really sad because I don't feel like I was one of the actors. I feel like I was a really big fan. You know, sure I could act but I don't know what will happen, whether I'll be back in films again. I hope so. It is like it's a dream. What's going to happen after? My whole life has been structured around it.
Question: Has it sunk in quite yet?
Lynch: It did a while ago because in all the interviews we do people ask us how you are feeling now that it's ending. But then one of the days we were watching the Half Blood Prince DVD and there was just loads of scenes of us together and I just started crying and I just couldn't stop … We were in the Room of Requirement and it feels like there was sort of symbolism because my first scene when I started was in the Room of Requirement and I was just really shy and everyone was learning. That's the thing. Everyone has their wands [casting] the Patronus and that time we were doing the last scenes in the Room of Requirement and I just feel that it's like a room where they learn everything, where they all grow up. They all leave the room, they are all sort of going into battle. To me it seems like leaving childhood, like leaving Harry Potter and going out into the adult world and battling. So yeah that really upset me.
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Seven new 'Deathly Hallows character banners
By Andy on 7 October 2010 at 00:21 GMT
Warner Bros. has released seven new character banners from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows via the Harry Potter UK Facebook page.
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Exclusive 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows' set report
By Andy on 5 October 2010 at 16:00 GMT
As we move through the creature shop I am struck by the sight of a truly bizarre prop. A life-size animatronic model of a woman is suspended in mid-air. The figure is lifeless and there is blood splattered on her head. So much detail has gone into its construction. Each freckle on the figure's face has been matched against the actress she is modelled after. There is something disturbing about touching the groggy-looking figure as it sways in evident pain.
This is of course the opening scene in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and the figure is Charity Burbage (played by Carolyn Pickles), the Muggle Studies teacher who is killed by Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) and fed to his snake as she hovers helplessly in the Malfoy Manor. From this moment, the tone of Deathly Hallows is set. Warner Bros. too are continuing their trend of producing increasingly darker 'Potter' films, something that was most definitely evident when Harry Potter Fan Zone visited the set of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows earlier this year.
In 2008, Warner Bros. announced their decision to split Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows into two separate films. The first part would be released in November of 2010, while the second would be released in July of 2011. Consequently, "pretty much everything you read in the books will be in these two films", says Vanessa Davies, head of production publicity for the Harry Potter films and our guide for the day. "The first story is very much a road movie. They're out and about. They're often in the forest [though] there isn't as much camping as you get in the books".
David Yates (left) directing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
The ability to stretch the source material over two films is something that excited director David Yates. Speaking on set on day 226 of principal photography, Yates tells us, "we've kept more than we've ever been able to keep in some of the other adaptations I've worked on … there are some loose ends we can tie up as well". Additionally, the extended screen time meant that there was room to add new scenes, which would, according to Yates, "raise the emotional stakes".
In Deathly Hallows: Part I Yates talks of a scene where "Harry (Dan Radcliffe) comes back to the tent and finds Hermione (Emma Watson) listening to some Muggle music … they have this dance with each other, which is a very tender, awkward and emotional moment for the two of them because they've lost their friend … there is always that moment where you think could this trip beyond friendship to something else?". The director also tells us to expect more scenes with the Snatchers, including a big chase. Finally, we will see Hermione wipe her parents' memories (something that is only mentioned in the novel) in a new scene that "J.K. [Rowling] loved".
"We've set out to try and [create] a filmic rendering of the novel" emphasises producer David Barron and, as we tour the ever-expanding sets at Leavesden Studios, it is definitely clear that the bulk of the novel has been included in some shape or form. In the press room, we are given a look at some of the props, costumes and models from the film. As always, there is immense attention to detail. Some of the most noteworthy items include "The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore", "A History of Magic", Lily's letter to Padfoot, Sirius' motorcycle maintenance manual, Ministry ID cards, an "Undesirable No. 1" poster and Xenophilius Lovegood's Deathly Hallows necklace to name a few. There is also a model of the rather foreboding Malfoy Manor and the lilac wedding marquee.
Harry stands in the wedding marquee
"It was like going to a real wedding … It was beautiful" says Davies of the wedding. The sequence was particularly enjoyable for Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood), sharing screen time with actor Rhys Ifans who plays her on-screen father, Xenophilius Lovegood. Lynch tells us, "it was brilliant … he was just perfect. When he came along it was like we were [outsiders] together because he's in this yellow mad stuff … it felt really relaxed. It was nice". Lynch also choreographed a dance routine for her character, describing the wacky moment as "[us both] spinning and closing our eyes".
The wedding scene is also of particular significance for Domhnall Gleeson who joins the Harry Potter ensemble in Deathly Hallows: Part I playing Bill Weasley. The son of actor Brendan Gleeson (Mad-Eye Moody), Domhnall Gleeson originally tested for the part of Stan Shunpike in the third 'Potter' film. In the wedding scene, Bill Weasley marries Fleur Delacour (Clémence Poésy), which Gleeson jokes was a "bizarre" experience. "She's a great actress … It was bizarre … your first day of filming and you're playing husband and wife".
A pivotal part of Deathly Hallows: Part I also takes place in the Ministry of Magic, a complex set which is scattered around Leavesden Studios. On our tour, we climb up some steps to arrive in a new set: the toilet block which Harry and Ron (Rupert Grint) use to enter the Ministry. The attention to detail here is paramount. Visually, the room is old and dilapidated and everything about this set – stalls and all – looks oddly authentic. That is until you reach the end of the set, where a large painting of a London street hangs over the construction.
Dolores Umbridge in the Ministry of Magic
On Leavesden's 'C'-stage, a new trial room has been erected. The room is noticeably "cosier" than those featured in earlier films. It is here that Dolores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton) will interrogate Mary Cattermole (Kate Fleetwood). Back in the Atrium, crew members are reassembling the iconic set after its dramatic destruction in the fifth 'Potter' film. It takes roughly a month to reassemble. Dolores Umbridge is now a dominant force in the Ministry and "everything's had a good dose of pink" says Vanessa Davies. Behind the Atrium, Ministry lifts are also being constructed. We are taken down a long, imposing corridor which has been built on an extension to the 'C'-stage. The corridor shares a similar visual motif with the Atrium, though the tiles here are black. This set will be used during the walk from the lifts to the courtroom.
Our next stop is the Hogwarts Express. The iconic train features briefly in Deathly Hallows: Part I in a scene where Death Eaters board the train and corner Neville Longbottom (Matthew Lewis), demanding to know if "Undesirable No. 1" is aboard. It is then off to the creature shop where I spot a bust of Jamie Campbell Bower (Gellert Grindelwald) sitting on a shelf alongside an array of creatures and props from all Harry Potter films to date. The life-size animatronic of Charity Burbage is then brought to life for the group to much amazement.
Harry, Ron and Hermione escape to London
Of course, much of the setting that appears in Deathly Hallows: Part I is not housed at Leavesden Studios. A large portion of the film is shot on location, including the trio's escape to London which was filmed in Piccadilly Circus and at a café in London's West End (the crew originally planned to shoot at Tottenham Court Road, as in the novel, but construction work prohibited this). "[There is] more exterior filming than all the other films have had … the location department did the most extraordinary job" remarks Barron. "It was a crazy night" adds Rupert Grint.
Additionally, the outdoor camping scenes proved increasingly challenging to shoot. "We not only go to the woods, but we go to various woods at different times, different seasons, summer, winter" reveals production designer Stuart Craig. "The climate is our biggest enemy … Voldemort pales into insignificance compared with the weather" jokes Barron. "We have been to a lot of different forests around England" adds Grint. The crew also filmed some of these outdoor scenes, including the Silver Doe sequence, at nearby Pinewood Studios. Vanessa Davies tells us that these camping scenes include "lots of action, lots of explosions, all sorts of fun and games".
Harry, Ron and Hermione in one of the film's camping scenes
What is clear from our visit to Leavesden is that the cast and crew are, as always, taking the adaptation from page to screen incredibly seriously. There is immense attention to detail, and a real effort to preserve the tone and heart of J.K. Rowling's final story. Though the narrative itself has been split into two films, Rupert Grint tells us that "it feels like one story" and David Barron remarks that "generally speaking, everything [plot wise] is necessary". While cast and crew describe Deathly Hallows: Part I as an exciting and adventurous "road movie", it seems David Yates feels the filmmaking journey has not been too dissimilar.
"I wouldn't have missed it for the world … It's been a real trip actually."
Deathly Hallows: Part I will be released in cinemas on 19 November. We will be bringing you more from the set – specifically juicy details about Deathly Hallows: Part II – next year.
Tags: Deathly Hallows Movies, Harry Potter Fan Zone, Leavesden Studios, Set Reports - 2 Comments - Permanent Link
Check out the 'Deathly Hallows: Part I' one sheet
By Andy on 4 October 2010 at 23:56 GMT
Warner Bros. has sent over a high-resolution version of the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I one sheet. Check it out below.
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A report from Infinitus 2010 and the Harry Potter theme park
By Andy on 4 October 2010 at 12:17 GMT
In July, Harry Potter Fan Zone reporters David, Toni and Courtney Gras attended Infinitus 2010 in Florida and also visited the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park. Our intrepid trio has written reports for both events which we can share with you today.
As is the case with all HPEF conferences, there was a vendor room with fine samplings of Potter clothing, souvenirs, fan trips, books and other such commodities. The Potter Art Room and Common Room were in one large area and were frequented often by conference attendees looking for a comfortable place to relax, sing karaoke, be sorted by the larger-than-life Sorting Hat and admire purchased art work. The mascot for the conference was a large dragon in the middle of the foyer which everyone passed on their way to lectures, meals and other events – these reporters argued if it was the Hungarian Horntail or the Chinese Fireball!
Click here to read the rest of the report from Infinitus 2010.
The outdoor setting of Professor Sprout's Greenhouse is bright and lively in comparison to the darkness inside – but wait – if you thought all this was great – Professor Dumbledore has some words of advice for you – and don't hurry by – let others pass you! If all this isn't enough, wait for Harry, Ron and Hermione to guide you the rest of the way from their Defense Against the Dark Arts chamber! Upon seeing the floating candles of The Great Hall, you have arrived – be ready to embark quickly on your ride into the darkness of the Forbidden Journey! Get ready for some tilts and twists on your private car – lots will zoom by you as you follow Harry through many adventures.
Click here to read the rest of the report from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Thanks guys!
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Harry, Ron, Hermione on the run in new 'Hallows' poster
By Andy on 2 October 2010 at 06:23 GMT
Check out a new Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I poster showing Harry, Ron and Hermione on the run and the tagline, "the end begins" courtesy of MSN.
Tags: Deathly Hallows Movies, Pictures - 1 Comment - Permanent Link
Harry, Ron, Hermione featured in 'Deathly Hallows: Part I' posters
By Andy on 30 September 2010 at 00:34 GMT
Warner Bros. has released three character posters from Deathly Hallows: Part I featuring the trio in London and the tagline, "Nowhere is safe". Check them out in high-resolution below.
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