Sad news. Legendary actor Richard Griffiths has passed away following complications after heart surgery. When I read this news this morning I was so upset. I, like many people my age, grew up watching him as Uncle Vernon in Harry Potter. I still quote him on Sundays when there’s no mail. He will be missed. Daniel Radcliffe has released a statement:
Daniel Radcliffe, who starred as Harry Potter and also appeared alongside Griffiths in the play Equus, led tributes to the actor.
He said: “In August 2000, before official production had even begun on Potter, we filmed a shot outside the Dursleys’, which was my first ever shot as Harry.
“I was nervous and he made me feel at ease.
“Seven years later, we embarked on Equus together. It was my first time doing a play but, terrified as I was, his encouragement, tutelage and humour made it a joy.
“In fact, any room he walked into was made twice as funny and twice as clever just by his presence. I am proud to say I knew him.”
Celebrate today with a little magic! Harry Potter: The Exhibition is back in New York City and fans of the iconic series can now experience the magic like never before. At Discovery Times square and with over 200 props and costumes from the Harry Potter films and set displays, there’s plenty to see for fans of all ages. But hurry! Time is running out to enjoy the thrills of feeling like you’re a part of the magical series. There’s only three weeks left before the exhibition is scheduled to close on April 7th. Get your tickets here!
If you could see or experience anything from the movies, what would you choose?
Top 20 Must-See Artifacts
Harry Potter™: The Exhibition at Discovery Times Square offers fans a first-hand look inside the famous wizard’s magical world and the opportunity to experience the amazing craftsmanship of hundreds of authentic costumes and props from the Harry Potter films.
The following is a list of the Top 20 must-see artifacts in the Exhibition.
- Lord Voldemort’s Horcruxes (new display case in NYC), including Tom Riddle’s diary, Marvolo Gaunt’s ring, Salazar Slytherin’s locket, Helga Hufflepuff’s cup, Rowena Ravenclaw’s diadem, and Nagini—Lord Voldemort’s snake—the final Horcrux that was destroyed by Neville Longbottom™ in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 using the sword of Gryffindor.
- Deathly Hallows (new display case in NYC) display case, containing the Invisibility Cloak, Resurrection Stone and the Elder Wand (also known as Headmaster Dumbledore’s Wand), as seen throughout the film series and highlighted in the two-part series finale, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 and 2.
- Crystal Goblet (new exhibition artifact), as seen in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince™, is on display for the first time at Harry Potter: The Exhibition at Discovery Times Square, New York City. This was used by Albus Dumbledore™ and Harry Potter inside the seaside cave as a means to drain the potion covering the locket believed to be a horcrux.
- Harry Potter’s School Uniform worn by Harry Potter as seen in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Harry Potter is known as ‘the boy who lived’ after Voldemort™ attempted to kill him as a baby.
- Harry Potter’s Glasses worn by Harry Potter, which were fixed more than once by Hermione Granger™, as seen in the Harry Potter films.
- Harry Potter’s Wand made of holly with a phoenix feather core from Fawkes’ tail. Harry’s wand is linked to Lord Voldemort’s wand by virtue of the fact that Fawkes provided the tail feather core for both wands.
- Marauder’s Map given to Harry by Fred and George Weasley™ in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of
Azkaban.
- Time-Turner used by Hermione Granger and Harry Potter to travel back in time and save Sirius Black™ and Buckbeak™ in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
- Harry Potter’s Nimbus 2000™ broomstick as seen in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
- The Golden Snitch™ used in the Quidditch™ matches at Hogwarts™ throughout the Harry Potter films.
- Buckbeak the Hippogriff, as seen in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
- The Sorcerer’s Stone™ that Harry saved from Voldemort in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
- Hermione Granger’s Gown worn by Hermione Granger to the Yule Ball in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
- Lord Voldemort’s Robes worn by Lord Voldemort™ during his confrontation with Harry in the graveyard in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
- Lord Voldemort’s Wand made of yew with a phoenix tail feather core. It is linked to Harry’s wand by virtue of the fact that the same phoenix (Fawkes) provided the feather for the core of both wands.
- Death Eater Robes and Masks as seen in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
- Dementor™ as seen in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
- Goblet of Fire™ Casket used to carry the Goblet of Fire as seen in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
- The Triwizard Cup as seen in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
- Headmaster Dumbledore’s Robes worn by Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore™ at the end-of-year feast in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
- Dobby™ the house-elf, a study model used in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
Be sure to check back next week for our review of the exhibition and our favorite things to do and favorite displays!
Do you hear that sound? That’s the sound of Harry Potter fans around the world freaking out. JK Rowling admitted in an interview with the BBC that she wishes she could have had more time with the Potter books and has been considering a director’s cut of stories or even, wait for it, a prequel.
The 47-year-old author added that, while “where Harry’s story is concerned, I’m done,” she was considering a new story set in the same Potter universe.
“But … if I did have a great idea for something else, I probably would do it. I am very averse to the prequel-sequel idea. A sidestep could maybe … well, we’ll see.”
I don’t think there are words to describe exactly how much I want this to happen. There are so many stories left to tell about a ton of characters. This woman and her genius mind created a whole world for fans to enjoy. Don’t forget to pick up her new book coming out this week: The Casual Vacancy.
Oh my Gosh! Is this a joke? It looks like it may finally be for real! JK Rowling has updated her site and announced plans to release the long awaited Harry Potter Encyclopaedia. She has confirmed that she has begun work on the book and fans everywhere began to implode with excitement. When she is finished, she will donate all the royalties to charity. Are you excited??
Details:
What about the Harry Potter encyclopaedia?
“For a long time I have been promising an encyclopaedia of Harry’s world, and I have started work on this now – some of it forms the new content in Pottermore. It is likely to be a time-consuming job, but when finished I shall donate all royalties to charity.”
I am so excited. I know it’s a long time away but ahh! I need to hop on up a medical step stool to see a doctor for a strong case of FREAKING OUT WITH EXCITEMENT.
Yeah, I love Harry Potter.
JK Rowling has announced her first follow up to her Harry Potter series. The Casual Vacancy is a book geared towards adults (but really, adults love Harry Potter too). Not much is known about the series but now we have a brief synopsis, a release date, and a brand new website to get ready for it. Will you be reading?
Details:
From Mugglenet:
The Casual Vacancy will be released on Thursday, September 27th. Here is a brief synopsis from The Little, Brown Group’s official website:
“When Barry Fairweather dies unexpectedly in his early forties, the little town of Pagford is left in shock.
Pagford is, seemingly, an English idyll, with a cobbled market square and an ancient abbey, but what lies behind the pretty facade is a town at war.
Rich at war with poor, teenagers at war with their parents, wives at war with their husbands, teachers at war with their pupils…Pagford is not what it first seems.
And the empty seat left by Barry on the parish council soon becomes the catalyst for the biggest war the town has yet seen. Who will triumph in an election fraught with passion, duplicity and unexpected revelations?”
Does this mean we can’t play around on her old site anymore? That used to be so much fun :(. It’s a shame it’s being released in September. I’m still trying to come up with mothers day gift ideas.
What do you think of The Casual Vacancy? Does it sound interesting? It kind of reminds me of that movie Hot Fuzz.
