Issue 74; Vol. 2; November 13, 2007

Owl Post: Bringing you the best in Harry Potter

The Official Newsletter of LeakyNews.com!
Jessie

Trio Talks "Half-Blood Prince" Movie; Lavender Brown and Narcissa Malfoy Casting News

CBBC Newsround has posted a new interview conducted with the Trio of Dan Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson where they discuss filming on the upcoming "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince." In this new interview (video at the above link as well), actor Rupert Grint talks about his scenes as Ron Weasley and the actress who will play his new love interest (Lavender Brown) in the sixth Harry Potter film. Rupert says:

"I was involved with the Lavender Brown audition and the whole Lavender thing. Her name's Jessie and she is really cool and it's going to be really funny."

Emma: "She seems really sweet and perfect for the role of Lavender. The casting is so good and I am looking forward to her scenes with Ron. I think it's going to be quite a comic film."

Newsround later confirmed the actresses full name, Jessie Cave, and you can see a photo of her via this link to Newsround. The article notes Ms. Cave "is 20 years old. Your first chance to see Jessie on screen though will be in CBBC drama Summerhill going out early next year. It's not known if Jessie attended the open auditions for Lavender." Newsround also has an image gallery online, here. They also now have added video of Jessica in her upcoming appearance in "Summerville". To watch, click here.

More details came from Newsround confirming further casting news for the upcoming "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" film. Actress Helen McCrory will play the part of Narcissa Malfoy, the wife of Death Eater Lucius Malfoy. Newsround reminds us that Ms McCrory "was originally cast as Bellatrix Lestrange in the fifth Potter movie, but couldn't play the part because she was expecting a baby."

"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" is currently in production and will be released in theaters November 21, 2008.

HBP

Detailed Report on "Order of the Phoenix" DVD Deleted Scenes and Extras

With many thanks due to TLC reader Joanne, we have a detailed report on some of the extras and deleted scenes due to be included on the "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" DVD. Joanne, who purchased the DVD last week as it was released in South Africa, sent in a breakdown of the many new things we will see. As there are a fair number of serious SPOILERS contained in the following report, readers from the States wishing to avoid spoilers until the release on December 11th and readers from the UK who have not yet purchased the DVD, may wish to avoid the upcoming link. However, those wishing to read details about the deleted scenes with Neville, Trelawney, Umbridge, the special feature with Tonks and more, can do so by visiting this link.

A clip of one of the DVD extras was released via Yahoo! this week as well. The clip shows actress Natalia Tena (Tonks), as she works with the choreographer who helps her prepare for some serious dueling in the Battle of the Ministry of Magic scene. To watch, click here, then on the right side of the screen where it says "Watch the Exclusive DVD Clip."

We expect more information in the coming weeks on additional special features set to be contained on the DVD and will update when that information becomes available.

More Big News...

Newsround Reviews the "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" DVD
Herald Sun Feature On Harry Potter: New Video Interviews with Trio, Evanna Lynch, Bonnie Wright, Matt Lewis, Katie Leung and More
NY Judge Issues Restraining Order to Prevent Publication of Lexicon; JK Rowling Updates
"Half-Blood Prince" Casting News: Helen McCrory will Play Narcissa Malfoy

What's HOT in the Leaky Lounge

This cauldron holds a lot of news. So much so, our forum, the Leaky Lounge, has a dedicated place where readers can discuss the latest news from the Harry Potter world. The latest happenings from the books, films, and everything in between are talked about in the Daily Prophet Offices on our Lounge. Here you can voice your opinion as well as take part in discussions with fellow readers of the news. You can also explore an archive of past news events and much more. Check out the Daily Prophet Offices of the Leaky Cauldron today!

New from PotterCast

PotterCast, our Harry Potter podcast, is taking a little breather this week. However, we invite you to catch up on all of our previous 124 episodes, which can be found archived on the PotterCast website. Here you'll also find bios about your hosts and the amazing staff that contribute each week to make this podcast. Also on the site is the PotterCast blog, in which you can read updates from the Trio and much more. Be sure to check back next week as we release the 125th episode of PotterCast!

The latest in HP essays!

Scribbulus, Leaky's premier essay project, is brand new for the month of November and features some most interesting new essays for your reading pleasure. In this issue, our writers explore new topics related to the Harry Potter canon and its characters. An essay from a new contributer explores the parallels between Harry's fight against Lord Voldemort and our own fight against global warming, while a second essay discusses the character of Neville Longbottom. Even more is contained in this, the 20th issue of Scribbulus, so be sure to check it out today.

New and featured items

Now that 2007 is almost at a close, it is about the time to pick out new calendars for the next yet. Luckily, our own Cauldron Shop has a batch of brand new 2008 calendars in stock for you. With a variety of styles, you can pick the perfect calendar for all of your needs. From a "Order of the Phoenix" desk calendar to a number of different wall calendars, you can have your choice in our Shop. All of our calendars can be seen right here. Check out these items and so much more in our Cauldron Shop today!

 

Jingle Spells: Leaky's Sixth Get A Clue Fundraiser Now Open

JS Leaky's sixth Get a Clue fundraiser, our yearly efforts which have raised more than $30,000 to date to aid literacy around the world, is now under way, and it's a doozy this year.

The holiday season is nearly upon us, so we asked 14 of the biggest and best wizard rock bands around to donate a Christmas or Holiday themed song for a very special compilation album. They all did so with enthusiasm, and what we now have to offer you for our fundraiser is one of the best holiday albums any of us has heard. It is all-new music, from 14 different bands, and buying the album is the only way you can hear the music on it. It's a perfect gift for yourself or anyone else you know who loves Harry Potter. It's for a good cause. It's a holiday gift and a holiday good deed, all rolled into one. Every penny of profit on this album will be donated to Book Aid International, to aid in their effort to install libraries in the places in the world that need them most.

The album is selling for $15, including shipping (there is a $3 surcharge for orders outside the U.S.), and is now available for pre-order at this link. All pre-orders will be shipped out in mid-November, and the album will only be available (and only as a physical disc) through Dec. 10.

 
  New Pictures
"Half-Blood Prince" Preview Pictures

BBC Interview with JKR on "Beedle The Bard" Book
Reader E-mails

Dear Leaky Cauldron,


I want to write Dan/Emma/Rupert/Tom/(insert name of favorite Potter actor). Can I have his/her email address?

-A Devoted Reader



Dear Devoted Reader,

Nope, sorry. We can tell you, though, that any of the young actors or actresses can be written to at the following address:

(name of person you're writing to here)
c/o Harry Potter Production
Leavesden Studios
P.O. Box 3000
Leavesden, Hertfordshire
WD25 7LT
United Kingdom

-Kristin for TLC