Former 'Harry Potter' star Emma Watson is teaming up with `Time`s Up` and `Rights of Women` organisation to launch legal advice hotline for women in the UK who have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace. 
 
According to Fox News, currently the cost-free service is available for women in England and Wales, and according to the British star, it`s the only one of its kind.

"It`s completely staggering to think that this is the only service of its type given that research has found that as many as one in two women experience sexual harassment in the workplace," the 29-year-old star said in an official statement.&nbsp;"It finally feels like people are realizing the scale of the problem," the statement added. 
 
According to the Rights of Women website and as reported by Fox News, the hotline was funded "by the public," and will help the UK women "get specialist legal advice on what behavior constitutes sexual harassment, how to bring a grievance against their employer, how to make a claim in the Employment Tribunal, settlement agreements and non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and other related legal problems faced by women experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace."

Watson went on to explain the importance of the helpline in her statement."Understanding what your rights are, how you can assert them, and the choices you have if you`ve experienced harassment, is such a vital part of creating safe workplaces for everyone, and this advice line is such a huge development in ensuring that all women are supported, wherever we work," she said. 
 
The actor has been a staunch supporter of the #MeToo movement, and in February last year, she notably donated about $1.4 million to the Justice and Equality Fund, a UK-based organisation which aims to prevent sexual harassment, assault, and discrimination.&nbsp;

Former 'Harry Potter' star Emma Watson is teaming up with `Time`s Up` and `Rights of Women` organisation to launch legal advice hotline for women in the UK who have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace.

Former 'Harry Potter' star Emma Watson is teaming up with `Time`s Up` and `Rights of Women` organisation to launch legal advice hotline for women in the UK who have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace. According to Fox News, currently the cost-free service is available for women in England and Wales, and according to the British star, it`s the only one of its kind. "It`s completely staggering to think that this is the only service of its type given that research has found that as many as one in two women experience sexual harassment in the workplace," the 29-year-old star said in an official statement. "It finally feels like people are realizing the scale of the problem," the statement added. According to the Rights of Women website and as reported by Fox News, the hotline was funded "by the public," and will help the UK women "get specialist legal advice on what behavior constitutes sexual harassment, how to bring a grievance against their employer, how to make a claim in the Employment Tribunal, settlement agreements and non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and other related legal problems faced by women experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace." Watson went on to explain the importance of the helpline in her statement."Understanding what your rights are, how you can assert them, and the choices you have if you`ve experienced harassment, is such a vital part of creating safe workplaces for everyone, and this advice line is such a huge development in ensuring that all women are supported, wherever we work," she said. The actor has been a staunch supporter of the #MeToo movement, and in February last year, she notably donated about $1.4 million to the Justice and Equality Fund, a UK-based organisation which aims to prevent sexual harassment, assault, and discrimination.

Emma Watson teams up with Time's Up to launch workplace sexual harassment hotline

JK Rowling may have put an end to her popular series 'Harry Potter' years back, but the legacy continues to live on.&nbsp;Rowling and Harry Potter celebrate their birthday on July 31. Harry Potter is now 39! 
 
The much-loved and celebrated character has seen Daniel Radcliffe as it`s human counterpart since the first film from the series `Harry Potter and the Philosopher`s Stone` hit the big screens in 2001. And since then people have lived with the character along til the last film from the series `Harty Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2` released in 2011. 
 
The wizard boy started his journey as an 11-year old boy who is sent to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and spanned through eight films ending his trail as an adult seeing off his children at the station just as he left once. 
 
To wish their loved character on his anniversary, fans flooded Twitter with praises for Harry while also reminiscing some childhood moments! 
 
"Happy birthday to the boy who gave me the first magical experience in my life, to whom he taught me that you are always stronger than you think and also to always value family and friends," one user wrote on the micro-blogging site.

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Happy birthday to the boy who gave me the first magical experience in my life, to whom he taught me that you are always stronger than you think and also to always value family and friends ❤<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HarryPotter?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HarryPotter</a> <a href="https://t.co/XwfEn0cdDV">pic.twitter.com/XwfEn0cdDV</a>
— Veronica Rojas (@Rojasv_17) <a href="https://twitter.com/Rojasv_17/status/1156432270695239680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Another user opted for a fun way of celebrating Harry`s legacy as he mentioned different phases of his life.

With a creamy yet creepy birthday cake, a user showered his love on Harry. And what better than drinking butterbeer, playing Kahoot on this very day. One user did the same and shared the pictures."Happy Birthday Harry Potter!! We player Kahoot, drank butter beer, and enjoyed an Ollivanders wand!" the user tweeted.

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Happy Birthday Harry Potter!! We player Kahoot, drank butter beer, and enjoyed an Ollivanders wand! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/weloveHarryPotter?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#weloveHarryPotter</a> <a href="https://t.co/ukNKXwI4bI">pic.twitter.com/ukNKXwI4bI</a>
— Franchesca Fresquez (@ffresquez_LMS) <a href="https://twitter.com/ffresquez_LMS/status/1156287286163542016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2019</a></blockquote>
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happy birthday to one of my favorites heroes. to the boy who gave me the first magical experience. the one who stands up to protect who he loves. happy birthday harry james potter! ✨ <a href="https://t.co/nPerrz7sSj">pic.twitter.com/nPerrz7sSj</a>
— stasia loves sabrina (@brinascarpnter) <a href="https://twitter.com/brinascarpnter/status/1156499827376709632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2019</a></blockquote>
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happy birthday to the boy who went through so much throughout his childhood and still remained good, pure and kind. happy birthday harry potter, i love you and i’m sorry you’re so underrated <a href="https://t.co/lNK7tCGiQN">pic.twitter.com/lNK7tCGiQN</a>
— jessie (@grangerslight) <a href="https://twitter.com/grangerslight/status/1156478162483712000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Happy Birthday Harry! 
(illustration Mary Grandpré)<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HarryPotter?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HarryPotter</a> <a href="https://t.co/f2rM2Xhru6">pic.twitter.com/f2rM2Xhru6</a>
— Claudia (sshhh.... deine schewester) (@curlybaeholland) <a href="https://twitter.com/curlybaeholland/status/1156391978197819392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Meanwhile, JK Rowling celebrated 54th birthday on Wednesday.Actor Emma Watson, who played Hermione in the series wished Rowling on Instagram. Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/on-jk-rowlings-birthday-13-inspiring-quotes-from-harry-potter-to-make-you-believe-in-magic-all-over-again-156002">On JK Rowling's birthday, 13 inspiring quotes from 'Harry Potter' to make you believe in magic all over again</a>

"Sexy and scary! You smashed this. All the love to you Jo. Happy Birthday!!!! Extra points to @msevylynch for being the most perfect cat," Watson wrote.

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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B0ktfHGJnX6/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Sexy and scary! 👻 You smashed this. All the love to you Jo. Happy Birthday!!!! Extra points to @msevylynch for being the most perfect cat. 🐯</a>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/emmawatson/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Emma Watson</a> (@emmawatson) on <time datetime="2019-07-31T07:58:52+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Jul 31, 2019 at 12:58am PDT</time>
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JK Rowling may have put an end to her popular series 'Harry Potter' years back, but the legacy continues to live on. Rowling and Harry Potter celebrate their birthday on July 31.

JK Rowling may have put an end to her popular series 'Harry Potter' years back, but the legacy continues to live on. Rowling and Harry Potter celebrate their birthday on July 31. Harry Potter is now 39! The much-loved and celebrated character has seen Daniel Radcliffe as it`s human counterpart since the first film from the series `Harry Potter and the Philosopher`s Stone` hit the big screens in 2001. And since then people have lived with the character along til the last film from the series `Harty Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2` released in 2011. The wizard boy started his journey as an 11-year old boy who is sent to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and spanned through eight films ending his trail as an adult seeing off his children at the station just as he left once. To wish their loved character on his anniversary, fans flooded Twitter with praises for Harry while also reminiscing some childhood moments! "Happy birthday to the boy who gave me the first magical experience in my life, to whom he taught me that you are always stronger than you think and also to always value family and friends," one user wrote on the micro-blogging site. Happy birthday to the boy who gave me the first magical experience in my life, to whom he taught me that you are always stronger than you think and also to always value family and friends ❤#HarryPotter pic.twitter.com/XwfEn0cdDV — Veronica Rojas (@Rojasv_17) July 31, 2019 × Another user opted for a fun way of celebrating Harry`s legacy as he mentioned different phases of his life. With a creamy yet creepy birthday cake, a user showered his love on Harry. And what better than drinking butterbeer, playing Kahoot on this very day. One user did the same and shared the pictures."Happy Birthday Harry Potter!! We player Kahoot, drank butter beer, and enjoyed an Ollivanders wand!" the user tweeted. Happy Birthday Harry Potter!! We player Kahoot, drank butter beer, and enjoyed an Ollivanders wand! #weloveHarryPotter pic.twitter.com/ukNKXwI4bI — Franchesca Fresquez (@ffresquez_LMS) July 30, 2019 × happy birthday to one of my favorites heroes. to the boy who gave me the first magical experience. the one who stands up to protect who he loves. happy birthday harry james potter! ✨ pic.twitter.com/nPerrz7sSj — stasia loves sabrina (@brinascarpnter) July 31, 2019 × happy birthday to the boy who went through so much throughout his childhood and still remained good, pure and kind. happy birthday harry potter, i love you and i’m sorry you’re so underrated pic.twitter.com/lNK7tCGiQN — jessie (@grangerslight) July 31, 2019 × Happy Birthday Harry! (illustration Mary Grandpré)#HarryPotter pic.twitter.com/f2rM2Xhru6 — Claudia (sshhh.... deine schewester) (@curlybaeholland) July 31, 2019 × Meanwhile, JK Rowling celebrated 54th birthday on Wednesday.Actor Emma Watson, who played Hermione in the series wished Rowling on Instagram. Also read: On JK Rowling's birthday, 13 inspiring quotes from 'Harry Potter' to make you believe in magic all over again "Sexy and scary! You smashed this. All the love to you Jo. Happy Birthday!!!! Extra points to @msevylynch for being the most perfect cat," Watson wrote. View this post on Instagram Sexy and scary! 👻 You smashed this. All the love to you Jo. Happy Birthday!!!! Extra points to @msevylynch for being the most perfect cat. 🐯 A post shared by Emma Watson (@emmawatson) on Jul 31, 2019 at 12:58am PDT ×

As Harry Potter turns 39, fans flood social media with wishes!

She may have written the Harry Potter series for children, but JK Rowling's work has inspired people of all generations. Her's has been a typical rags to riches story. Rowling was a single mother struggling to meet ends when a chance encounter with a publisher led to the magical Harry Potter series and opened 'muggles' to the world of magic like never before.&nbsp; 
 
JK Rowling turns a year older on 31st July which is also celebrated as Harry Potter's birthday. And what better way to celebrate the author's life than going down the memory lane and recalling some of the memorable quotes from the bestselling series - which a decade later of being first published continues to fascinate, inspire and teach us life lessons.&nbsp; 
 
On Harry Potter and his creator JK Rowling's birthday, here are 13 quotes to make you believe in magic all over again.&nbsp; 
 
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&nbsp;

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JK Rowling turns a year older on 31st July which is also celebrated as Harry Potter's birthday.

She may have written the Harry Potter series for children, but JK Rowling's work has inspired people of all generations. Her's has been a typical rags to riches story. Rowling was a single mother struggling to meet ends when a chance encounter with a publisher led to the magical Harry Potter series and opened 'muggles' to the world of magic like never before. JK Rowling turns a year older on 31st July which is also celebrated as Harry Potter's birthday. And what better way to celebrate the author's life than going down the memory lane and recalling some of the memorable quotes from the bestselling series - which a decade later of being first published continues to fascinate, inspire and teach us life lessons. On Harry Potter and his creator JK Rowling's birthday, here are 13 quotes to make you believe in magic all over again.

On JK Rowling's birthday, 13 inspiring quotes from 'Harry Potter' to make you believe in magic all over again

Catholic priests in Poland burned books they say are sacrilegious this weekend, including tomes from British author J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series of fantasy novels.

"We obey the Word," priests said in a Facebook post showing photographs of the public book burning and quoting Biblical passages from the book of Deuteronomy in the Old Testament.

One passage exhorting believers to destroy the enemies of God includes the command to "burn their idols in the fire".

The post, on a page run by the Catholic "SMS from Heaven" evangelical group, stirred controversy and has gone viral.

Photographs show three priests carrying a basket of books and other items, including an African-styled face mask through a church to an outside fire pit.

Priests are seen saying prayers over the fire pit where other items, including a book from the Twilight vampire-themed fantasy romance series, a 'Hello Kitty' umbrella and a Hindu religious figurine, are also burning.

Father Jan Kucharski, the priest in the Gdansk parish where the book burning took place, told the natemat.pl news website on Monday that they had burned items "linked to the occult and magic."

"Aside from the books, there were talismans and amulets. Parishioners brought them to put things in order" as part of spring cleaning, added the priest, who is also listed as an exorcist on the Gdansk dCatholic priests burn Harry Potter books in Polandiocese official website.

'Inappropriate'

The burning took place in front of his church after Sunday mass.

Kucharczyk dismissed comparisons to the cultural censorship of totalitarian regimes like Nazi Germany.&nbsp;

"We know what's harmful to our faithful so that's why we held an event like this. I'd even call it evangelical," he told natemat.pl.&nbsp;

Contacted by AFP on Monday, the Polish Episcopate and Gdansk diocese acknowledged the incident but declined to comment.

Father Wojciech Parfianowicz, a spokesman from the Koszalin-Kolobrzeg diocese where the "SMS from Heaven" group is based, condemned the book burning as "inappropriate".

But he told the Polish PAP news agency that the event risked "diverting attention from real spiritual dangers" posed by "the occult or magic".

"I'd like to believe this is a joke... Seriously? Are people burning fantasy literature in the 21st century in some kind of sick ritual?!" one Facebook user said in a comment underneath the post.

"It's hard for me to believe that we're so backward!" the user added.

Other Facebook users, however, backed the book burning.

"Get rid of everything that does not please God and see how your life will change," one person posted.

Child abuse scandal

Launched in 1997, the Harry Potter series of books spins an epic tale of good and evil focused on the adventures of the eponymous bespectacled young wizard as he struggles against the dark wizard Lord Voldemort.

It has sometimes drawn criticism from religious and conservative circles for what they say is its focus on witchcraft.

This latest incident comes as Poland's influential Roman Catholic church struggles to deal with the fallout of revelations about paedophilia among priests that are unprecedented in this overwhelmingly Catholic country.

Last month, the Polish episcopate admitted for the first time that nearly 400 of its clergy had sexually abused children and minors over the past three decades.

That reflected findings published in February by a charity focused on sex abuse in the church.&nbsp;

A survey published in the liberal daily Gazeta Wyborcza on Monday suggested that 64 per cent of Poles want a secular state, with 29 per cent opposed and seven per cent without an opinion.

The poll was carried out March 5-11 by Kantor Millward Brown on a random representative sample of 1,500 adult Poles.

Catholic priests in Poland burned books they say are sacrilegious this weekend, including tomes from British author J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series of fantasy novels.

Catholic priests in Poland burned books they say are sacrilegious this weekend, including tomes from British author J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series of fantasy novels. "We obey the Word," priests said in a Facebook post showing photographs of the public book burning and quoting Biblical passages from the book of Deuteronomy in the Old Testament. One passage exhorting believers to destroy the enemies of God includes the command to "burn their idols in the fire". The post, on a page run by the Catholic "SMS from Heaven" evangelical group, stirred controversy and has gone viral. Photographs show three priests carrying a basket of books and other items, including an African-styled face mask through a church to an outside fire pit. Priests are seen saying prayers over the fire pit where other items, including a book from the Twilight vampire-themed fantasy romance series, a 'Hello Kitty' umbrella and a Hindu religious figurine, are also burning. Father Jan Kucharski, the priest in the Gdansk parish where the book burning took place, told the natemat.pl news website on Monday that they had burned items "linked to the occult and magic." "Aside from the books, there were talismans and amulets. Parishioners brought them to put things in order" as part of spring cleaning, added the priest, who is also listed as an exorcist on the Gdansk dCatholic priests burn Harry Potter books in Polandiocese official website. 'Inappropriate' The burning took place in front of his church after Sunday mass. Kucharczyk dismissed comparisons to the cultural censorship of totalitarian regimes like Nazi Germany. "We know what's harmful to our faithful so that's why we held an event like this. I'd even call it evangelical," he told natemat.pl. Contacted by AFP on Monday, the Polish Episcopate and Gdansk diocese acknowledged the incident but declined to comment. Father Wojciech Parfianowicz, a spokesman from the Koszalin-Kolobrzeg diocese where the "SMS from Heaven" group is based, condemned the book burning as "inappropriate". But he told the Polish PAP news agency that the event risked "diverting attention from real spiritual dangers" posed by "the occult or magic". "I'd like to believe this is a joke... Seriously? Are people burning fantasy literature in the 21st century in some kind of sick ritual?!" one Facebook user said in a comment underneath the post. "It's hard for me to believe that we're so backward!" the user added. Other Facebook users, however, backed the book burning. "Get rid of everything that does not please God and see how your life will change," one person posted. Child abuse scandal Launched in 1997, the Harry Potter series of books spins an epic tale of good and evil focused on the adventures of the eponymous bespectacled young wizard as he struggles against the dark wizard Lord Voldemort. It has sometimes drawn criticism from religious and conservative circles for what they say is its focus on witchcraft. This latest incident comes as Poland's influential Roman Catholic church struggles to deal with the fallout of revelations about paedophilia among priests that are unprecedented in this overwhelmingly Catholic country. Last month, the Polish episcopate admitted for the first time that nearly 400 of its clergy had sexually abused children and minors over the past three decades. That reflected findings published in February by a charity focused on sex abuse in the church. A survey published in the liberal daily Gazeta Wyborcza on Monday suggested that 64 per cent of Poles want a secular state, with 29 per cent opposed and seven per cent without an opinion. The poll was carried out March 5-11 by Kantor Millward Brown on a random representative sample of 1,500 adult Poles.

Catholic priests burn Harry Potter books in Poland

British-Australian actress Miriam Margolyes who is most famous for her role in hit film series ‘Harry Potter’ as Professor Sprout now takes on former British PM David Cameron in a conversation centred on Brexit.&nbsp;

Speaking at Australia's News Breakfast morning show, she said that Cameron "should be boiled in oil" for his role in bringing it about.

She added that Brexit was a "disaster for England" and that it would "go on for years".

For the uninitiated, Cameron first pledged a referendum in 2013 in a bid to placate his party's eurosceptic wing. After unexpectedly winning a majority in the 2015 national election, Britain voted to leave in a referendum a year later and Cameron quit. Since then the Brexit issue has just been on the top cards for everyone in Britain.&nbsp;

British lawmakers on January 29 instructed current PM Theresa May to reopen a Brexit treaty with the European Union to replace a controversial Irish border arrangement - and promptly received a flat rejection from Brussels.

With two months left until Britain is due by law to leave the EU, the entire clout of investors and allies are urging the ruling government to clinch a deal to allow an orderly exit. Britain has been a part of the EU since the year 1973.

British-Australian actress Miriam Margolyes who is most famous for her role in hit film series ‘Harry Potter’ as Professor Sprout now takes on former British PM David Cameron in a conversation centred on Brexit.

British-Australian actress Miriam Margolyes who is most famous for her role in hit film series ‘Harry Potter’ as Professor Sprout now takes on former British PM David Cameron in a conversation centred on Brexit. Speaking at Australia's News Breakfast morning show, she said that Cameron "should be boiled in oil" for his role in bringing it about. She added that Brexit was a "disaster for England" and that it would "go on for years". For the uninitiated, Cameron first pledged a referendum in 2013 in a bid to placate his party's eurosceptic wing. After unexpectedly winning a majority in the 2015 national election, Britain voted to leave in a referendum a year later and Cameron quit. Since then the Brexit issue has just been on the top cards for everyone in Britain. British lawmakers on January 29 instructed current PM Theresa May to reopen a Brexit treaty with the European Union to replace a controversial Irish border arrangement - and promptly received a flat rejection from Brussels. With two months left until Britain is due by law to leave the EU, the entire clout of investors and allies are urging the ruling government to clinch a deal to allow an orderly exit. Britain has been a part of the EU since the year 1973.

Brexit: ‘Harry Potter’ actress Margolyes says David Cameron ‘should be boiled in oil’

Looks like Emma Watson is enjoying every bit of being a part of `Little Women`, and her latest post is proof of the same.

The `Harry Potter` star took to Twitter to share a picture from the sets of the film, where she can be seen posing for a picture with the director of the film Greta Gerwig and her co-actors Timothee Chalamet, Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, and Eliza Scanlen, in what appears to be an attic.

Quoting an excerpt from the book, Watson wrote&nbsp;"I could never love anyone as I love my sisters." - Louisa May Alcott, @LittleWomen ?? From left: Meg March, Greta Gerwig (director), Jo March, Amy March, Beth March and Laurie (Theodore Laurence)," alongside the picture.

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“I could never love anyone as I love my sisters.” - Louisa May Alcott, <a href="https://twitter.com/LittleWomen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LittleWomen</a> 
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 
💗 From left: Meg March, Greta Gerwig (director), Jo March, Amy March, Beth March and Laurie (Theodore Laurence). <a href="https://t.co/0hngR0BJWX">pic.twitter.com/0hngR0BJWX</a>
— Emma Watson (@EmmaWatson) <a href="https://twitter.com/EmmaWatson/status/1073266457058967554?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The film, which also stars Meryl Streep, is based on a novel penned by Louisa May Alcott, and centers around the March sisters - Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy - in post-Civil War America.

The novel was previously adapted into a 1994 feature starring Winona Ryder, Christian Bale, Susan Sarandon and Kirsten Dunst.`Little Women` is expected to release on Christmas next year, according to People.&nbsp;

Looks like Emma Watson is enjoying every bit of being a part of `Little Women`, and her latest post is proof of the same. The `Harry Potter` star took to Twitter to share a picture from the sets of the film, where she can be seen posing for a picture with the director of the film Greta Gerwig and her co-actors Timothee Chalamet, Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, and Eliza Scanlen, in what appears to be an attic.

Looks like Emma Watson is enjoying every bit of being a part of `Little Women`, and her latest post is proof of the same. The `Harry Potter` star took to Twitter to share a picture from the sets of the film, where she can be seen posing for a picture with the director of the film Greta Gerwig and her co-actors Timothee Chalamet, Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, and Eliza Scanlen, in what appears to be an attic. Quoting an excerpt from the book, Watson wrote "I could never love anyone as I love my sisters." - Louisa May Alcott, @LittleWomen ?? From left: Meg March, Greta Gerwig (director), Jo March, Amy March, Beth March and Laurie (Theodore Laurence)," alongside the picture. “I could never love anyone as I love my sisters.” - Louisa May Alcott, @LittleWomen ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 💗 From left: Meg March, Greta Gerwig (director), Jo March, Amy March, Beth March and Laurie (Theodore Laurence). pic.twitter.com/0hngR0BJWX — Emma Watson (@EmmaWatson) December 13, 2018 × The film, which also stars Meryl Streep, is based on a novel penned by Louisa May Alcott, and centers around the March sisters - Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy - in post-Civil War America. The novel was previously adapted into a 1994 feature starring Winona Ryder, Christian Bale, Susan Sarandon and Kirsten Dunst.`Little Women` is expected to release on Christmas next year, according to People.

Emma Watson shares picture from sets of 'Little Women'

Best known for his character Ron Weasely, actor Rupert Grint has been roped in for Manoj Night Shyamalan's psychological thriller for Apple. According to reports, &nbsp;Tony Basgallop has penned the series which also stars Lauren Ambrose and Nell Tiger.

The series will be produced by Shyamalan’s Blinding Edge Pictures, with the company’s Ashwin Rajan serving as executive producer alongside the Escape Artists team of Jason Blumenthal, Todd Black and Steve.

Shyamalan took to Twitter to announce the news. "Tomorrow I begin shooting my show for Apple. Just handed over @GlassMovie to be delivered to the studios. Looking over the storyboards for the pilot in my kitchen. Nervous. Like a film student. Want to deliver for everyone."

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Tomorrow I begin shooting my show for Apple. Just handed over <a href="https://twitter.com/GlassMovie?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GlassMovie</a> to be delivered to the studios. Looking over the story boards for the pilot in my kitchen. Nervous. Like a film student. Want to deliver for everyone.
— M. Night Shyamalan (@MNightShyamalan) <a href="https://twitter.com/MNightShyamalan/status/1066853279026618368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Grint, who became a household name playing Ron Weasely in the 'Harry Potter' series, had spoken in an earlier interview about how he was relieved when the series came to an end. "The line between Ron and me became thinner with each film and I think we became virtually the same person. There's a lot of me in Ron and moving on was a massive adjustment because it was such a constant part of my life.

''I don't want to liken it to coming out of prison because it wasn't a prison, but it did feel like stepping out of an institution. It was nice to breathe the fresh air and now I'm really enjoying stepping further away from that blue-screen world," Grint told The Guardian.&nbsp;

The actor had even contemplated quitting the Harry Potter franchise while he was filming one of the movies, he had revealed in the interview.&nbsp;

"There were definitely times when I thought about leaving. Filming Harry Potter was a massive sacrifice; working from such a young age for such long periods and I definitely remember thinking during one extended break, 'This whole thing is so all-consuming, do I really want to go back? Maybe it's just not for me.' I guess I was probably just being a teenager," he said.

Best known for his character Ron Weasely, actor Rupert Grint has been roped in for Manoj Night Shyamalan's psychological thriller for Apple. According to reports, Tony Basgallop has penned the series which also stars Lauren Ambrose and Nell Tiger.

Best known for his character Ron Weasely, actor Rupert Grint has been roped in for Manoj Night Shyamalan's psychological thriller for Apple. According to reports, Tony Basgallop has penned the series which also stars Lauren Ambrose and Nell Tiger. The series will be produced by Shyamalan’s Blinding Edge Pictures, with the company’s Ashwin Rajan serving as executive producer alongside the Escape Artists team of Jason Blumenthal, Todd Black and Steve. Shyamalan took to Twitter to announce the news. "Tomorrow I begin shooting my show for Apple. Just handed over @GlassMovie to be delivered to the studios. Looking over the storyboards for the pilot in my kitchen. Nervous. Like a film student. Want to deliver for everyone." Tomorrow I begin shooting my show for Apple. Just handed over @GlassMovie to be delivered to the studios. Looking over the story boards for the pilot in my kitchen. Nervous. Like a film student. Want to deliver for everyone. — M. Night Shyamalan (@MNightShyamalan) November 26, 2018 × Grint, who became a household name playing Ron Weasely in the 'Harry Potter' series, had spoken in an earlier interview about how he was relieved when the series came to an end. "The line between Ron and me became thinner with each film and I think we became virtually the same person. There's a lot of me in Ron and moving on was a massive adjustment because it was such a constant part of my life. ''I don't want to liken it to coming out of prison because it wasn't a prison, but it did feel like stepping out of an institution. It was nice to breathe the fresh air and now I'm really enjoying stepping further away from that blue-screen world," Grint told The Guardian. The actor had even contemplated quitting the Harry Potter franchise while he was filming one of the movies, he had revealed in the interview. "There were definitely times when I thought about leaving. Filming Harry Potter was a massive sacrifice; working from such a young age for such long periods and I definitely remember thinking during one extended break, 'This whole thing is so all-consuming, do I really want to go back? Maybe it's just not for me.' I guess I was probably just being a teenager," he said.

'Harry Potter' star Rupert Grint to work in M Night Shyamalan's next

Again confirming the magic touch of JK&nbsp;Rowling, "<a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/fantastic-beasts-the-crime-of-grindelwald-review-less-of-beasts-more-of-dumbledores-past-177697">Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald</a>" took in an estimated $62.2 million this weekend to lead North American box offices, industry tracker Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday.

This second Harry Potter prequel came in slightly behind the first "Fantastic Beasts" movie, which earned $74.4 million in its opening three-day weekend, but it has already scored an impressive $253.2 million overseas. Warner Bros. plans three more "Beasts" movies.

Written by Rowling and directed by David Yates, "Grindelwald" stars Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander as he works with Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) to take down the evil Gellert Grindelwald, played with typical panache by Johnny Depp.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/the-fantastic-beasts-the-crimes-of-grindelwald-actress-katherine-waterston-on-trump-he-is-inspiring-hate-177745">Also read:&nbsp;The 'Fantastic Beasts actress Katherine Waterston on Trump, 'he is inspiring hate</a>'

In a rare weekend when neither horror nor superhero movies dominated, second place went to family-friendly "The Grinch" from Universal, which tallied $38.2 million. &nbsp;

The ever-popular Dr. Seuss tale has Benedict Cumberbatch voicing the ill-tempered green title character, with support from Rashida Jones, Kenan Thompson and Angela Lansbury.

In third spot, with $15.7 million in ticket sales, was Fox's "Bohemian Rhapsody," the foot-stomping biopic about Freddie Mercury and rock group Queen. Rami Malek has drawn strong reviews for his portrayal of the British singer/songwriter.

Fourth went to new Paramount release "Instant Family," starring Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne as a married couple who take in three foster kids over the holidays. It earned $14.7 million and has drawn an "A" rating from audiences polled by CinemaScore.

In fifth was Fox's "Widows," at $12.3 million. Directed by Steve McQueen of "12 Years a Slave" fame, it stars Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez and Elizabeth Debicki as a group of women who try to pull off a heist after their husbands are killed in a botched robbery.

Rounding out the weekend's top 10 were:

"The Nutcracker and the Four Realms" ($4.7 million)

"A Star Is Born" ($4.4 million)

"Overlord" ($3.9 million)

"The Girl in the Spider's Web" ($2.5 million)

"Nobody's Fool" ($2.3 million)

Again confirming the magic touch of JK Rowling, "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald" took in an estimated $62.2 million this weekend to lead North American box offices, industry tracker Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday.

Again confirming the magic touch of JK Rowling, "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald" took in an estimated $62.2 million this weekend to lead North American box offices, industry tracker Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday. This second Harry Potter prequel came in slightly behind the first "Fantastic Beasts" movie, which earned $74.4 million in its opening three-day weekend, but it has already scored an impressive $253.2 million overseas. Warner Bros. plans three more "Beasts" movies. Written by Rowling and directed by David Yates, "Grindelwald" stars Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander as he works with Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) to take down the evil Gellert Grindelwald, played with typical panache by Johnny Depp. Also read: The 'Fantastic Beasts actress Katherine Waterston on Trump, 'he is inspiring hate' In a rare weekend when neither horror nor superhero movies dominated, second place went to family-friendly "The Grinch" from Universal, which tallied $38.2 million. The ever-popular Dr. Seuss tale has Benedict Cumberbatch voicing the ill-tempered green title character, with support from Rashida Jones, Kenan Thompson and Angela Lansbury. In third spot, with $15.7 million in ticket sales, was Fox's "Bohemian Rhapsody," the foot-stomping biopic about Freddie Mercury and rock group Queen. Rami Malek has drawn strong reviews for his portrayal of the British singer/songwriter. Fourth went to new Paramount release "Instant Family," starring Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne as a married couple who take in three foster kids over the holidays. It earned $14.7 million and has drawn an "A" rating from audiences polled by CinemaScore. In fifth was Fox's "Widows," at $12.3 million. Directed by Steve McQueen of "12 Years a Slave" fame, it stars Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez and Elizabeth Debicki as a group of women who try to pull off a heist after their husbands are killed in a botched robbery. Rounding out the weekend's top 10 were: "The Nutcracker and the Four Realms" ($4.7 million) "A Star Is Born" ($4.4 million) "Overlord" ($3.9 million) "The Girl in the Spider's Web" ($2.5 million) "Nobody's Fool" ($2.3 million)

New 'Fantastic Beasts' film casts winning box-office spell

Potterheads take note! A law university in Kolkata is offering a new course on Harry Potter which will encourage students to explore legal aspects of JK Rowling's fictional world and its many real life lessons.&nbsp;

The course titled "An interface between Fantasy Fiction Literature and Law: Special focus on Rowling's Potterverse" will be offered as an elective to 4th and 5th year students of the BA LLB (Hons) programme at the National University of Juridical Sciences (NUJS) in Kolkata.

The course, designed for the winter semester by Assistant Professor Shouvik Kumar Guha, attempts to serve as a breather from the orthodox law school curriculum.

"This course is meant to be more of an experiment. It will take both me and the students out of our comfort zones," Guha told PTI in a phone interview.

"In law schools, people get a very specific set of subjects. The curriculum revolves around the hard letter of the law, case laws etc. Given the fact that this course lasts about five years, students also get bored," he said.

Students will learn to apply legal principles in a completely new scenario, and understand how things will work through insights into a wizarding world constantly under government surveillance.

Given the many societal, legal and political changes, including the slew of landmark Supreme Court judgements, law students need to learn to adapt and respond to events unfolding around them, Guha said.

"I could have designed the course based on our real political situation but it is not necessary that all my students will share my political leanings," he said.&nbsp;

Guha decided instead to turn to a fictional universe, which would not create political controversies but help students learn to apply their legal knowledge to a completely alien set of scenarios.

According to a statement by NUJS, the Harry Potter series vividly exposes the limitations of laws and institutions.

In Potterverse for example, The Ministry of Magic uses its representatives to torture children for daring to tell the truth, and imprisons or even executes its citizens without the benefit of due process of law.

Its infamous prison Azkaban is designed to drive inmates to despair and suicidal tendencies without any hope of reformation.

In numerous instances, the wealthy control and influence government policy. Freedom of the press in Potterverse is curtailed, and the major newspaper 'The Daily Prophet' is used to spread propaganda.

The series thus provides a unique platform for students to reflect and compare the legal situations with their own government. The course aims to cover legal traditions and institutions, crimes and punishments, economy, politics, contracts in the Potterverse.

Guha says his assignments to the students would be very creative in nature, and hopes that some of the works can eventually be published.

"I was introduced to Potterverse in my tenth standard. Since then I have read the books multiple times. I am familiar with each and every line of all the seven books. So it will come to me naturally," said Guha, quipping that he probably knows Harry Potter literature better than Company Law.

Classes for the course are due to start this December.

This is not the first time in India that a professor has turned to the magical world of Harry Potter to pique student interest.

Rashmi Raman, a former student of NUJS, first started a Potterverse-centric elective law course at the Jindal Global Law School in Sonipat in 2012.

The course was one of the most popular among students in the law school, Raman told PTI.

"I have not offered it for the last two semesters because it always exceeds the class limit, and I end up having to teach a class of 40-45, when I could teach another elective and get away with 15-20 students," she said.

Raman said she plans to bring back the course again in the spring semester.

Rowling's series of seven books which were made into eight films about the boy wizard Harry Potter and his friends Ron and Hermoine has already found its way into classrooms abroad.&nbsp;

The Kansas State University in the US, for instance, offers a class called&nbsp; 
"Harry Potter's Library," where students have the opportunity to examine political themes that reoccur in the series.&nbsp;

Frostburg University, also in the US, offers "Science of Harry Potter" which teaches students about the scientific concepts behind the magical events in the series.

For example, students explore the physics that makes Quidditch possible and the possible genetics associated with magical creatures.

Potterheads take note! A law university in Kolkata is offering a new course on Harry Potter which will encourage students to explore legal aspects of JK Rowling's fictional world and its many real life lessons.

Potterheads take note! A law university in Kolkata is offering a new course on Harry Potter which will encourage students to explore legal aspects of JK Rowling's fictional world and its many real life lessons. The course titled "An interface between Fantasy Fiction Literature and Law: Special focus on Rowling's Potterverse" will be offered as an elective to 4th and 5th year students of the BA LLB (Hons) programme at the National University of Juridical Sciences (NUJS) in Kolkata. The course, designed for the winter semester by Assistant Professor Shouvik Kumar Guha, attempts to serve as a breather from the orthodox law school curriculum. "This course is meant to be more of an experiment. It will take both me and the students out of our comfort zones," Guha told PTI in a phone interview. "In law schools, people get a very specific set of subjects. The curriculum revolves around the hard letter of the law, case laws etc. Given the fact that this course lasts about five years, students also get bored," he said. Students will learn to apply legal principles in a completely new scenario, and understand how things will work through insights into a wizarding world constantly under government surveillance. Given the many societal, legal and political changes, including the slew of landmark Supreme Court judgements, law students need to learn to adapt and respond to events unfolding around them, Guha said. "I could have designed the course based on our real political situation but it is not necessary that all my students will share my political leanings," he said. Guha decided instead to turn to a fictional universe, which would not create political controversies but help students learn to apply their legal knowledge to a completely alien set of scenarios. According to a statement by NUJS, the Harry Potter series vividly exposes the limitations of laws and institutions. In Potterverse for example, The Ministry of Magic uses its representatives to torture children for daring to tell the truth, and imprisons or even executes its citizens without the benefit of due process of law. Its infamous prison Azkaban is designed to drive inmates to despair and suicidal tendencies without any hope of reformation. In numerous instances, the wealthy control and influence government policy. Freedom of the press in Potterverse is curtailed, and the major newspaper 'The Daily Prophet' is used to spread propaganda. The series thus provides a unique platform for students to reflect and compare the legal situations with their own government. The course aims to cover legal traditions and institutions, crimes and punishments, economy, politics, contracts in the Potterverse. Guha says his assignments to the students would be very creative in nature, and hopes that some of the works can eventually be published. "I was introduced to Potterverse in my tenth standard. Since then I have read the books multiple times. I am familiar with each and every line of all the seven books. So it will come to me naturally," said Guha, quipping that he probably knows Harry Potter literature better than Company Law. Classes for the course are due to start this December. This is not the first time in India that a professor has turned to the magical world of Harry Potter to pique student interest. Rashmi Raman, a former student of NUJS, first started a Potterverse-centric elective law course at the Jindal Global Law School in Sonipat in 2012. The course was one of the most popular among students in the law school, Raman told PTI. "I have not offered it for the last two semesters because it always exceeds the class limit, and I end up having to teach a class of 40-45, when I could teach another elective and get away with 15-20 students," she said. Raman said she plans to bring back the course again in the spring semester. Rowling's series of seven books which were made into eight films about the boy wizard Harry Potter and his friends Ron and Hermoine has already found its way into classrooms abroad. The Kansas State University in the US, for instance, offers a class called "Harry Potter's Library," where students have the opportunity to examine political themes that reoccur in the series. Frostburg University, also in the US, offers "Science of Harry Potter" which teaches students about the scientific concepts behind the magical events in the series. For example, students explore the physics that makes Quidditch possible and the possible genetics associated with magical creatures.

University in Kolkata offers law course based on Harry Potter 

This news is bound to surprise Potterheads. Turns out, actress Hazel Keech, who is married to Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh, has been part of three Harry Potter movies as a child artist. The actress is best known for her role in 'Bodyguard'.&nbsp; 
 
In a recent chat show, the star mentioned her stints in the Harry Potter series, and also touched upon a number of other subjects, including her romance with Yuvraj, her career and her journey post marriage. 
 
Talking about her adventures, Hazel revealed that she had previously worked in three Harry Potter movies as a child artist where she played the role of a Hogwarts student, namely in ` Harry Potter &amp; the Philosopher`s Stone`, `Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets` and `Harry Potter &amp; the Prisoner of Azkaban`.She also said that for each child, the crew had a Polaroid to make sure that the hair and makeup were exactly the same. 
 
The actress married the ace cricketer in 2016.&nbsp;

This news is bound to surprise Potterheads. Turns out, actress Hazel Keech, who is married to Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh, has been part of three Harry Potter movies as a child artist.

This news is bound to surprise Potterheads. Turns out, actress Hazel Keech, who is married to Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh, has been part of three Harry Potter movies as a child artist. The actress is best known for her role in 'Bodyguard'. In a recent chat show, the star mentioned her stints in the Harry Potter series, and also touched upon a number of other subjects, including her romance with Yuvraj, her career and her journey post marriage. Talking about her adventures, Hazel revealed that she had previously worked in three Harry Potter movies as a child artist where she played the role of a Hogwarts student, namely in ` Harry Potter & the Philosopher`s Stone`, `Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets` and `Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban`.She also said that for each child, the crew had a Polaroid to make sure that the hair and makeup were exactly the same. The actress married the ace cricketer in 2016.

Did you know? Yuvraj Singh's wife Hazel Keech featured in three Harry Potter films

He may have made the character of Severus Snape iconic, but late British actor Alan Rickman was unhappy playing the part, old letters have revealed. The letters will be up for auction, the Independent reported.&nbsp; 
 
Having worked in cinema and theater for nearly four decades, before dying of pancreatic cancer in 2016, Rickman fetaured in many iconic films like Die Hard (1988), Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991) and Sense and Sensibility (1995), but it was his performance as the digruntled, caustic yet caring professor Snape in Harry Potter films that got Rickman global fame.&nbsp;

However, some old letters have revealed that how the actor was not happy with the way his role shaped up in the film franchise.&nbsp; 
 
One letter from David Heyman, the producer of the fantasy movies, refers to the actor's performance in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002). Heyman writes, “Thank you for making HP2 a success. I know, at times, you are frustrated but please know that you are an integral part of the films. And you are brilliant.”

While working on The Half-Blood Prince (2009), Rickman wrote a note titled 'Inside Snape’s Head', in which he complained about the film’s director and wrote, “It’s as if David Yates has decided that this is not important in the scheme of things i.e. teen audience appeal.” 
 
There is also a letter from JK Rowling, the author on whose bestsellers the Potter films were based, where she thanls Rickman for " “doing justice to my most complex character”, Independent reported.&nbsp; 
 
The collection consists of 35 boxes and the letters are valued at £950,000. 
 
“Other items in the collection include letters from Prince Charles, Bill Clinton and Tony Blair, along with Rickman’s copy of the Die Hard script, the 1988 blockbuster movie in which he played the villain Hans Gruber,” the newspaper reported. The collection also includes screenplays of Rickman’s films Truly Madly Deeply and Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves.

Letters from the late actor's colelction have revealed how he was unhappy playing Professor Snape.

He may have made the character of Severus Snape iconic, but late British actor Alan Rickman was unhappy playing the part, old letters have revealed. The letters will be up for auction, the Independent reported. Having worked in cinema and theater for nearly four decades, before dying of pancreatic cancer in 2016, Rickman fetaured in many iconic films like Die Hard (1988), Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991) and Sense and Sensibility (1995), but it was his performance as the digruntled, caustic yet caring professor Snape in Harry Potter films that got Rickman global fame. However, some old letters have revealed that how the actor was not happy with the way his role shaped up in the film franchise. One letter from David Heyman, the producer of the fantasy movies, refers to the actor's performance in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002). Heyman writes, “Thank you for making HP2 a success. I know, at times, you are frustrated but please know that you are an integral part of the films. And you are brilliant.” While working on The Half-Blood Prince (2009), Rickman wrote a note titled 'Inside Snape’s Head', in which he complained about the film’s director and wrote, “It’s as if David Yates has decided that this is not important in the scheme of things i.e. teen audience appeal.” There is also a letter from JK Rowling, the author on whose bestsellers the Potter films were based, where she thanls Rickman for " “doing justice to my most complex character”, Independent reported. The collection consists of 35 boxes and the letters are valued at £950,000. “Other items in the collection include letters from Prince Charles, Bill Clinton and Tony Blair, along with Rickman’s copy of the Die Hard script, the 1988 blockbuster movie in which he played the villain Hans Gruber,” the newspaper reported. The collection also includes screenplays of Rickman’s films Truly Madly Deeply and Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves.

Alan Rickman was frustrated playing Snape in Harry Potter films reveals old letters

This Gryffindor has come of age and left Hogwarts officially. Actor Matthew Lewis, who played the nervous, fumbling Neville Longbottom in the Harry Potter films, is now a married man.&nbsp;

The actor married his girlfriend, lifestyle blogger Angela Jones, in Italy during the Memorial Day weekend.&nbsp;

The 28-year-old actor announced his wedding with a sweet message on Twitter. Lewis wrote, "Not only did I miss @ArcticMonkeys in LA but they were performing in Italy at the same time we were there and my wife made me get married instead. Fuming."

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Not only did I miss <a href="https://twitter.com/ArcticMonkeys?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ArcticMonkeys</a> in LA but they were performing in Italy at the same time we were there and my wife made me get married instead. Fuming. <a href="https://t.co/VEZfTkizBa">pic.twitter.com/VEZfTkizBa</a>
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Incidentally, Harry Potter was instrumental in getting them together. The actor who shot to fame playing Neville in Harry Potter films met his future wife Jones at an event at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, where Jones was working at the time. They have been dating since 2016.&nbsp; 
 
Lewis' last work was the 2018 assassin pastiche Terminal starring Margot Robbie and Simon Pegg, and the British ITV series Girlfriends.&nbsp;

The actor walked down the aisle with girlfriend Angela Jones in a ceremony that took place in Italy last weekend

This Gryffindor has come of age and left Hogwarts officially. Actor Matthew Lewis, who played the nervous, fumbling Neville Longbottom in the Harry Potter films, is now a married man. The actor married his girlfriend, lifestyle blogger Angela Jones, in Italy during the Memorial Day weekend. The 28-year-old actor announced his wedding with a sweet message on Twitter. Lewis wrote, "Not only did I miss @ArcticMonkeys in LA but they were performing in Italy at the same time we were there and my wife made me get married instead. Fuming." Not only did I miss @ArcticMonkeys in LA but they were performing in Italy at the same time we were there and my wife made me get married instead. Fuming. pic.twitter.com/VEZfTkizBa — Matthew Lewis (@Mattdavelewis) May 28, 2018 × Incidentally, Harry Potter was instrumental in getting them together. The actor who shot to fame playing Neville in Harry Potter films met his future wife Jones at an event at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, where Jones was working at the time. They have been dating since 2016. Lewis' last work was the 2018 assassin pastiche Terminal starring Margot Robbie and Simon Pegg, and the British ITV series Girlfriends.

Matthew Lewis, who played Neville Longbottom in Harry Potter films, got married to blogger girlfriend

Harry Potter&nbsp;author J.K. Rowling on Thursday defended the decision to cast Johnny Depp in the next Fantastic Beasts&nbsp;movie after a backlash from fans unhappy about the circumstances of the actor`s recent divorce.

In a statement on her personal website, Rowling said filmmakers had considered recasting the role of villain Gellert Grindelwald for Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald,&nbsp;the sequel to 2016`s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.&nbsp;

But she said the circumstances of Depp`s 2016 divorce from actress Amber Heard were private and should be respected. 
 
The Warner Bros movie, due to be released in November 2018, is the second of a planned five movie spinoff franchise from the blockbuster Harry Potter&nbsp;films.&nbsp;

&quot;Harry Potter&nbsp;fans had legitimate questions and concerns about our choice to continue with Johnny Depp in the role,&quot; Rowling wrote.&nbsp;&quot;The agreements that have been put in place to protect the privacy of two people, both of whom have expressed a desire to get on with their lives, must be respected.&nbsp;

&quot;The filmmakers and I are not only comfortable sticking with our original casting, but genuinely happy to have Johnny playing a major character in the movies,&quot; Rowling said.

Depp`s marriage to Heard ended in divorce amid bitter allegations of domestic abuse and blackmail.&nbsp;

After reaching a private settlement in August 2016, the couple issued a joint statement saying their relationship was &quot;intensely passionate and at times volatile but always bound by love,&quot; and that there was &quot;never any intent of physical or emotional harm.&quot;

Warner Bros. said in a statement on Thursday that it supported the decision to keep Depp. Director David Yates and producer David Heyman also said in a joint statement that while recognising &quot;the magnitude of the issues raised&quot; they stood by the decision to cast Depp.

Depp`s representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday.

In a statement on her personal website, Rowling said filmmakers had considered recasting the role of villain Gellert Grindelwald for Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling on Thursday defended the decision to cast Johnny Depp in the next Fantastic Beasts movie after a backlash from fans unhappy about the circumstances of the actor`s recent divorce. In a statement on her personal website, Rowling said filmmakers had considered recasting the role of villain Gellert Grindelwald for Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, the sequel to 2016`s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. But she said the circumstances of Depp`s 2016 divorce from actress Amber Heard were private and should be respected. The Warner Bros movie, due to be released in November 2018, is the second of a planned five movie spinoff franchise from the blockbuster Harry Potter films. "Harry Potter fans had legitimate questions and concerns about our choice to continue with Johnny Depp in the role," Rowling wrote. "The agreements that have been put in place to protect the privacy of two people, both of whom have expressed a desire to get on with their lives, must be respected. "The filmmakers and I are not only comfortable sticking with our original casting, but genuinely happy to have Johnny playing a major character in the movies," Rowling said. Depp`s marriage to Heard ended in divorce amid bitter allegations of domestic abuse and blackmail. After reaching a private settlement in August 2016, the couple issued a joint statement saying their relationship was "intensely passionate and at times volatile but always bound by love," and that there was "never any intent of physical or emotional harm." Warner Bros. said in a statement on Thursday that it supported the decision to keep Depp. Director David Yates and producer David Heyman also said in a joint statement that while recognising "the magnitude of the issues raised" they stood by the decision to cast Depp. Depp`s representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday.

J.K. Rowling defends Johnny Depp casting in next 'Fantastic Beasts'

Harry Potter author J K Rowling in a series of tweets justified&nbsp;her reactions to a misleading video of United States President Donald Trump.

The author clarified that her tweets came out of personal sensitivity. She said, &quot;I very clearly projected my own sensitivities around the issue of disabled people being overlooked or ignored onto the images I saw and if that caused any distress to that boy or his family, I apologise unreservedly. These tweets will remain, but I will delete the previous ones on the subject.&quot;

J.K Rowling&#39;s sentimental outburst was because of the personal experience of her mother using the wheelchair.

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Re: my tweets about the small boy in a wheelchair whose proferred hand the president appeared to ignore in press footage, multiple /1
&mdash; J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) <a href="https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/892128355117563906">July 31, 2017</a></blockquote>
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sources have informed me that that was not a full or accurate representation of their interaction. I very clearly projected my own /2
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Rowling&nbsp;tweeted in response to a video that showed Trump refusing to shake hands with a child in a wheelchair. The author reproached Trump by saying, &quot;This monster of narcissism values only himself and his pale reflections.&quot;

However, she apologised later after the video was found to be&nbsp;doctored.&nbsp;

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sensitivities around the issue of disabled people being overlooked or ignored onto the images I saw and if that caused any distress /3
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to that boy or his family, I apologise unreservedly. These tweets will remain, but I will delete the previous ones on the subject. /4x
&mdash; J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) <a href="https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/892129536363692032">July 31, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

&nbsp;

J K Rowling's tweet was in response to a video that showed Trump refusing to shake hands with a child in a wheelchair. The author reproached Trump by saying, 'This monster of narcissism values only himself and his pale reflections.'

Harry Potter author J K Rowling in a series of tweets justified her reactions to a misleading video of United States President Donald Trump. The author clarified that her tweets came out of personal sensitivity. She said, "I very clearly projected my own sensitivities around the issue of disabled people being overlooked or ignored onto the images I saw and if that caused any distress to that boy or his family, I apologise unreservedly. These tweets will remain, but I will delete the previous ones on the subject." J.K Rowling's sentimental outburst was because of the personal experience of her mother using the wheelchair. Re: my tweets about the small boy in a wheelchair whose proferred hand the president appeared to ignore in press footage, multiple /1 — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) July 31, 2017 × sources have informed me that that was not a full or accurate representation of their interaction. I very clearly projected my own /2 — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) July 31, 2017 × Rowling tweeted in response to a video that showed Trump refusing to shake hands with a child in a wheelchair. The author reproached Trump by saying, "This monster of narcissism values only himself and his pale reflections." However, she apologised later after the video was found to be doctored. sensitivities around the issue of disabled people being overlooked or ignored onto the images I saw and if that caused any distress /3 — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) July 31, 2017 × to that boy or his family, I apologise unreservedly. These tweets will remain, but I will delete the previous ones on the subject. /4x — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) July 31, 2017 ×

J K Rowling apologises for tweets over doctored Trump video

Author JK&nbsp;Rowling on Monday marked the &quot;wonderful&quot; two decades since her Harry Potter creation first hit the shelves, starting a global literary phenomenon which has inspired a generation.

&quot;20 years ago today a world that I had lived in alone was suddenly open to others. It&#39;s been wonderful. Thank you,&quot; she wrote on Twitter.

A pair of rounded glasses and a lightning bolt accompanied the social media site&#39;s special &quot;HarryPotter20&quot; hashtag, a nod to the boy who escaped from a cupboard under the stairs to become the world&#39;s most famous wizard.

Joanne Kathleen Rowling had struggled through poverty before winning a &pound;1,500 publishing deal with Bloomsbury to print 1,000 copies of &quot;Harry Potter and the Philosopher&#39;s Stone&quot;.

The seven volumes of the saga have since been translated into 79 languages and have sold more than 450 million copies worldwide.&nbsp;

&quot;Harry Potter has had a huge impact on a generation of children who became so obsessed with reading that they would queue for hours to get their hands on the next book,&quot; said Diana Gerald, CEO of the Book Trust.

Events to mark the magical tale include a special exhibition at the National Library of Scotland in Edinburgh, the city where Rowling penned much of the first novel.

Visitors are being encouraged to don their wizard outfits as they view mementos including a &quot;Philosopher&#39;s Stone&quot; first edition filled with notes by Rowling.

Bloomsbury have published four anniversary editions of the first Potter book, in the house colours of Hogwarts wizarding school, while quizzes and crafts were the order of the day at libraries and schools around Britain.

London&#39;s St. Paul&#39;s Cathedral on Monday published a video of music from the Harry Potter film series being performed at the famous site.

Pottermania over the past two decades has led to eight movies, a hit play, and numerous spin-off books being published.

In October a &quot;Harry Potter: A History of Magic&quot; exhibition will open at the British Library in London, showcasing manuscripts and magical objects alongside Rowling&#39;s archives.

The Harry Potter empire has earned Rowling -- a committed philanthropist -- an estimated fortune of &pound;650 million ($825 million, 743 million euros), according to The Sunday Times newspaper&#39;s 2017 Rich List.

The seven volumes of the saga have since been translated into 79 languages and have sold more than 450 million copies worldwide

Author JK Rowling on Monday marked the "wonderful" two decades since her Harry Potter creation first hit the shelves, starting a global literary phenomenon which has inspired a generation. "20 years ago today a world that I had lived in alone was suddenly open to others. It's been wonderful. Thank you," she wrote on Twitter. A pair of rounded glasses and a lightning bolt accompanied the social media site's special "HarryPotter20" hashtag, a nod to the boy who escaped from a cupboard under the stairs to become the world's most famous wizard. Joanne Kathleen Rowling had struggled through poverty before winning a £1,500 publishing deal with Bloomsbury to print 1,000 copies of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone". The seven volumes of the saga have since been translated into 79 languages and have sold more than 450 million copies worldwide. "Harry Potter has had a huge impact on a generation of children who became so obsessed with reading that they would queue for hours to get their hands on the next book," said Diana Gerald, CEO of the Book Trust. Events to mark the magical tale include a special exhibition at the National Library of Scotland in Edinburgh, the city where Rowling penned much of the first novel. Visitors are being encouraged to don their wizard outfits as they view mementos including a "Philosopher's Stone" first edition filled with notes by Rowling. Bloomsbury have published four anniversary editions of the first Potter book, in the house colours of Hogwarts wizarding school, while quizzes and crafts were the order of the day at libraries and schools around Britain. London's St. Paul's Cathedral on Monday published a video of music from the Harry Potter film series being performed at the famous site. Pottermania over the past two decades has led to eight movies, a hit play, and numerous spin-off books being published. In October a "Harry Potter: A History of Magic" exhibition will open at the British Library in London, showcasing manuscripts and magical objects alongside Rowling's archives. The Harry Potter empire has earned Rowling -- a committed philanthropist -- an estimated fortune of £650 million ($825 million, 743 million euros), according to The Sunday Times newspaper's 2017 Rich List.

JK Rowling thanks fans on Harry Potter's 20th anniversary

Veteran British actor Sir John Hurt, Oscar-nominated for his star turn in &quot;The Elephant Man&quot; and his supporting role in &quot;Midnight Express&quot;, has died after a long battle with pancreatic cancer, the BBC reported on Saturday. He was 77.

Hurt, who had starred in more than 200 films and television series over a career spanning six decades, revealed in 2015 that he was suffering from the early stages of pancreatic cancer and that he was receiving treatment.

The BBC, citing the actor&#39;s agent, said Hurt had died. Further details of the circumstances of his death were not immediately reported.

(Reuters)

Known for playing the character of wandmaker 'Ollivander' in the Harry Potter series, Hurt died after a long battle with pancreatic cancer

Veteran British actor Sir John Hurt, Oscar-nominated for his star turn in "The Elephant Man" and his supporting role in "Midnight Express", has died after a long battle with pancreatic cancer, the BBC reported on Saturday. He was 77. Hurt, who had starred in more than 200 films and television series over a career spanning six decades, revealed in 2015 that he was suffering from the early stages of pancreatic cancer and that he was receiving treatment. The BBC, citing the actor's agent, said Hurt had died. Further details of the circumstances of his death were not immediately reported. (Reuters)

British actor John Hurt dead at 77

After a hit debut on London&#39;s West End this summer, &quot;Harry Potter and the Cursed Child&quot; is in talks to move to New York&#39;s Broadway in 2018, producers said on Friday.

The play, based on author J.K. Rowling&#39;s popular boy wizard character, is being planned for Broadway&#39;s Lyric Theater, which will undergo a multi-million dollar revamp to house the elaborate production, the show&#39;s producers said in a post on Rowling&#39;s website Pottermore.com.

The Lyric Theater is one of Broadway&#39;s largest venues, with nearly 1,900 seats, and has housed complex theatrical productions such as &quot;Chitty Chitty Bang Bang&quot; in 2005 and &quot;Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark,&quot; which ran from 2010 to 2014.

In preparation for &quot;Cursed Child,&quot; the Lyric Theater will be remodelled with a slightly reduced 1,500 seats, &quot;to accommodate the dramatic look and feel&quot; of the play.

&quot;Cursed Child&quot; is sold out at London&#39;s Palace Theater until 2018, although more tickets are expected to be released in January.

The play is set 19 years after Rowling&#39;s book series concluded the boy wizard&#39;s teen years with &quot;Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows&quot; in 2007.

The play is penned by Jack Thorne, with a story co-created by Rowling, and centres on the lives of an adult Harry Potter and his son.

A book of the &quot;Cursed Child&quot; script, released to coincide with the opening of play, has become a best-seller this year, with more than 3 million copies sold in the United States within its first month.

(Reuters)

The play's producers announced that the Cursed Child will be performed on Broadway's Lyric Theater on Pottermore

After a hit debut on London's West End this summer, "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" is in talks to move to New York's Broadway in 2018, producers said on Friday. The play, based on author J.K. Rowling's popular boy wizard character, is being planned for Broadway's Lyric Theater, which will undergo a multi-million dollar revamp to house the elaborate production, the show's producers said in a post on Rowling's website Pottermore.com. The Lyric Theater is one of Broadway's largest venues, with nearly 1,900 seats, and has housed complex theatrical productions such as "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" in 2005 and "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark," which ran from 2010 to 2014. In preparation for "Cursed Child," the Lyric Theater will be remodelled with a slightly reduced 1,500 seats, "to accommodate the dramatic look and feel" of the play. "Cursed Child" is sold out at London's Palace Theater until 2018, although more tickets are expected to be released in January. The play is set 19 years after Rowling's book series concluded the boy wizard's teen years with "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" in 2007. The play is penned by Jack Thorne, with a story co-created by Rowling, and centres on the lives of an adult Harry Potter and his son. A book of the "Cursed Child" script, released to coincide with the opening of play, has become a best-seller this year, with more than 3 million copies sold in the United States within its first month. (Reuters)

'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' plans 2018 Broadway debut

A young girl in eastern Aleppo uploaded video on Tuesday (November 22) of her walking around the destruction in her home city.

Seven year old Bana Alabed put the video onto her Twitter page along with other stills of her life in the devastated Syrian city.

Separately, the child has also managed to catch the attention of Harry Potter author JK Rowling when she tweeted the famous writer telling her that she enjoyed one of the Harry Potter films and she asked if she could get a book.

On Wednesday (November 23), Bana Alabed uploaded a thank you picture saying she had received the ebooks from JK Rowling.

Bana Alabed&#39;s mother, Fatemah Alabed, who runs her daughter&#39;s Twitter page, said to Reuters that Bana had received all of the Harry Potter books and she would start reading them immediately.

(Reuters)

Seven year old Bana Alabed tweeted saying that she enjoyed one of the Harry Potter films and she asked if she could get a book

A young girl in eastern Aleppo uploaded video on Tuesday (November 22) of her walking around the destruction in her home city. Seven year old Bana Alabed put the video onto her Twitter page along with other stills of her life in the devastated Syrian city. Separately, the child has also managed to catch the attention of Harry Potter author JK Rowling when she tweeted the famous writer telling her that she enjoyed one of the Harry Potter films and she asked if she could get a book. On Wednesday (November 23), Bana Alabed uploaded a thank you picture saying she had received the ebooks from JK Rowling. Bana Alabed's mother, Fatemah Alabed, who runs her daughter's Twitter page, said to Reuters that Bana had received all of the Harry Potter books and she would start reading them immediately. (Reuters)

JK Rowling sends Harry Potter ebooks to Aleppo girl

The gates to JK&nbsp;Rowling&#39;s wizarding world are set to re-open with &quot;Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,&quot; but the jury is still out on whether the five-movie spinoff will conjure up the magic that turned &quot;Harry Potter&quot; into a global entertainment phenomenon.

With no best-selling books this time around, &quot;Fantastic Beasts,&quot; featuring a story penned by Rowling, will test if the young audience that drove eight Potter films to gross $7 billion worldwide for Warner Bros, will turn out for a film set 70 years before Harry Potter first entered Hogwarts school.

Set in New York City in 1926, the film that will be released worldwide on Nov. 18 holds big potential. If successful, it could dramatically expand the Potter brand of books, toys, costumes and theme parks as Rowling geographically extends a magical world previously confined to the United Kingdom.

&quot;Spin-offs are usually rip-offs, but in this case, with J.K. Rowling attached, I think it&#39;s a great idea,&quot; said Jeff Bock, senior box office analyst at Exhibitor Relations.

Ten days ahead of release, with no reviews yet, Bock and other analysts are predicting a $75 million-$100 million opening weekend for the movie in North America - about half the gross for the last Potter movie in 2011.

Published in 2001, &quot;Fantastic Beasts&quot; began life as a slim textbook, belonging to Harry Potter, listing imaginary creatures and illustrated with basic pen and ink drawings.

Warner Bros later approached Rowling to turn the book into a movie. She came up with a story that centers on actor Eddie Redmayne&#39;s Newt Scamander, a &quot;magizoologist&quot; whose case full of creatures escapes.

The new story was welcomed by longtime Potter producer David Heyman and director David Yates.

&quot;Sure, you don&#39;t have the security of having 150 million people having read the books. But the advantage of people not knowing the story, not being upset when something is left out, is a gift,&quot; Heyman said.

Hogwarts, Grindelwald and Dumbledore

Little is known about the four future films, or how they will link up to the original Harry Potter stories. But Rowling has said they will trace the rise of a powerful dark wizard named Gellert Grindelwald, who was famous in the Potter world for dueling beloved Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore in 1945.

&quot;As the series develops, the connective tissue with the (Harry Potter books) will become more overt and explicit,&quot; Heyman said.

Just as the Potter movies, &quot;Fantastic Beasts&quot; showcases Rowling&#39;s imagination, from typewriters tapping away by themselves to computer-generated creatures like the mischievous Niffler or the rhinoceros-like Erumpent.

But the darker storyline and a cast of little-known actors playing adult characters could limit its appeal to families.

&quot;Now they are catering to an older demographic with this new franchise, will it really feed into that family market base?&quot; Bock said.

For Yates, the biggest appeal of &quot;Fantastic Beasts&quot; is Rowling herself. &quot;You don&#39;t need big movie stars if you have J.K. Rowling. Her stories are the star,&quot; he said.

While there is no novel tie-in, a book version of Rowling&#39;s screenplay is currently 12th on the Amazon.com best- sellers list ahead of its release next week.

Publishers Scholastic Inc, are releasing a series of related books and character guides but the original &quot;Fantastic Beasts&quot; will not be reissued until March 2017, said Ellie Berger, president of Scholastic&rsquo;s Trade division.

Whether there will be books to accompany future films will depend on Rowling.

&quot;She is a master storyteller and she does create this world, so when she&#39;s ready to have that exist in a book, that&#39;s when she comes to us,&quot; Berger said.

(Reuters)

The film will be released worldwide on Nov. 18 and is set in New York 70 years before Harry Potter first entered Hogwarts

The gates to JK Rowling's wizarding world are set to re-open with "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," but the jury is still out on whether the five-movie spinoff will conjure up the magic that turned "Harry Potter" into a global entertainment phenomenon. With no best-selling books this time around, "Fantastic Beasts," featuring a story penned by Rowling, will test if the young audience that drove eight Potter films to gross $7 billion worldwide for Warner Bros, will turn out for a film set 70 years before Harry Potter first entered Hogwarts school. Set in New York City in 1926, the film that will be released worldwide on Nov. 18 holds big potential. If successful, it could dramatically expand the Potter brand of books, toys, costumes and theme parks as Rowling geographically extends a magical world previously confined to the United Kingdom. "Spin-offs are usually rip-offs, but in this case, with J.K. Rowling attached, I think it's a great idea," said Jeff Bock, senior box office analyst at Exhibitor Relations. Ten days ahead of release, with no reviews yet, Bock and other analysts are predicting a $75 million-$100 million opening weekend for the movie in North America - about half the gross for the last Potter movie in 2011. Published in 2001, "Fantastic Beasts" began life as a slim textbook, belonging to Harry Potter, listing imaginary creatures and illustrated with basic pen and ink drawings. Warner Bros later approached Rowling to turn the book into a movie. She came up with a story that centers on actor Eddie Redmayne's Newt Scamander, a "magizoologist" whose case full of creatures escapes. The new story was welcomed by longtime Potter producer David Heyman and director David Yates. "Sure, you don't have the security of having 150 million people having read the books. But the advantage of people not knowing the story, not being upset when something is left out, is a gift," Heyman said. Hogwarts, Grindelwald and Dumbledore Little is known about the four future films, or how they will link up to the original Harry Potter stories. But Rowling has said they will trace the rise of a powerful dark wizard named Gellert Grindelwald, who was famous in the Potter world for dueling beloved Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore in 1945. "As the series develops, the connective tissue with the (Harry Potter books) will become more overt and explicit," Heyman said. Just as the Potter movies, "Fantastic Beasts" showcases Rowling's imagination, from typewriters tapping away by themselves to computer-generated creatures like the mischievous Niffler or the rhinoceros-like Erumpent. But the darker storyline and a cast of little-known actors playing adult characters could limit its appeal to families. "Now they are catering to an older demographic with this new franchise, will it really feed into that family market base?" Bock said. For Yates, the biggest appeal of "Fantastic Beasts" is Rowling herself. "You don't need big movie stars if you have J.K. Rowling. Her stories are the star," he said. While there is no novel tie-in, a book version of Rowling's screenplay is currently 12th on the Amazon.com best- sellers list ahead of its release next week. Publishers Scholastic Inc, are releasing a series of related books and character guides but the original "Fantastic Beasts" will not be reissued until March 2017, said Ellie Berger, president of Scholastic’s Trade division. Whether there will be books to accompany future films will depend on Rowling. "She is a master storyteller and she does create this world, so when she's ready to have that exist in a book, that's when she comes to us," Berger said. (Reuters)

Will 'Fantastic Beasts' conjure up 'Harry Potter's' global magic?

Daniel Radcliffe says he has no interest in reprising his role as the boy wizard, but would love to do a cameo on HBO&#39;s epic fantasy drama &#39;Game of Thrones&#39;. 
 
Speculations were rife that Radcliffe may essay the role of Harry Potter if the play &quot;Harry Potter and Cursed Child&quot; is turned into a movie.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Nobody has said anything to me about ... revitalising the films, so I don&#39;t know,&quot; the &quot;Now You See Me 2&#39;&#39; actor told Reuters, 
 
&quot;It&#39;s not something I think I&#39;d be interested in, and also if they do it now I feel they should just cast the people from the play,&quot; he added.&nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;But he is interested in performing a cameo in the hit series &#39;Game of Thrones&#39;. 
 
&quot;I would love to do (Game of Thrones). If they want to just bring me in and kill me, I would be so happy to do that,&quot; the Press Trust of India quoted him as saying.&nbsp; 
 
Radcliffe however is not sure about commiting to long television shows.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)

Radcliffe said he does not think he would be interested in, and 'if they do it now I feel they should just cast the people from the play'

Daniel Radcliffe says he has no interest in reprising his role as the boy wizard, but would love to do a cameo on HBO's epic fantasy drama 'Game of Thrones'. Speculations were rife that Radcliffe may essay the role of Harry Potter if the play "Harry Potter and Cursed Child" is turned into a movie. "Nobody has said anything to me about ... revitalising the films, so I don't know," the "Now You See Me 2'' actor told Reuters, "It's not something I think I'd be interested in, and also if they do it now I feel they should just cast the people from the play," he added. But he is interested in performing a cameo in the hit series 'Game of Thrones'. "I would love to do (Game of Thrones). If they want to just bring me in and kill me, I would be so happy to do that," the Press Trust of India quoted him as saying. Radcliffe however is not sure about commiting to long television shows. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Daniel Radcliffe not interested to reprise Harry Potter role

British author J.K. Rowling is delving back into the world of &#39;Harry Potter&#39; for a series of short ebooks with new stories about some of her characters from the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. 
 
Pottermore, the digital publishing and e-commerce world founded by Rowling for fans of the boy wizard, said on Wednesday it would be releasing three short ebooks starting Sept. 6. 
 
Called &quot;Pottermore Presents,&quot; the series is a collection of Rowling&#39;s writing for Pottermore.com, as well as new stories about characters including Potter&#39;s potions master Horace Slughorn, Hogwarts headmistress Professor Minerva McGonagall and Ministry of Magic bureaucrat Dolores Umbridge. 
 
The ebooks will be available on the Pottermore website as well as through digital book sellers. They are the latest extension of the Harry Potter franchise, which includes seven books, eight movies, three theme park attractions and the sold-out London stage play &quot;Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.&quot; 
 
The ebooks, approximately 10,000 words long, are intended for tablets, cellphones and other mobile devices and as a supplement to the original Harry Potter books, which have sold more than 450 million copies worldwide. 
 
&quot;J K Rowling&rsquo;s writing in these collections reveals intricate details of her characters&rsquo; lives, their histories, as well as her inspiration,&rdquo; Pottermore chief executive Susan Jurevics said in a statement. 
 
&quot;Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,&quot; the first of three Potter spin-off movies, is due for release worldwide in November. 
 
(Reuters)

The ebooks will be available on the Pottermore website as well as through digital book sellers

British author J.K. Rowling is delving back into the world of 'Harry Potter' for a series of short ebooks with new stories about some of her characters from the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Pottermore, the digital publishing and e-commerce world founded by Rowling for fans of the boy wizard, said on Wednesday it would be releasing three short ebooks starting Sept. 6. Called "Pottermore Presents," the series is a collection of Rowling's writing for Pottermore.com, as well as new stories about characters including Potter's potions master Horace Slughorn, Hogwarts headmistress Professor Minerva McGonagall and Ministry of Magic bureaucrat Dolores Umbridge. The ebooks will be available on the Pottermore website as well as through digital book sellers. They are the latest extension of the Harry Potter franchise, which includes seven books, eight movies, three theme park attractions and the sold-out London stage play "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child." The ebooks, approximately 10,000 words long, are intended for tablets, cellphones and other mobile devices and as a supplement to the original Harry Potter books, which have sold more than 450 million copies worldwide. "J K Rowling’s writing in these collections reveals intricate details of her characters’ lives, their histories, as well as her inspiration,” Pottermore chief executive Susan Jurevics said in a statement. "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," the first of three Potter spin-off movies, is due for release worldwide in November. (Reuters)

Rowling returns to Harry Potter's world with new ebooks

Harry Potter magic hit Asia on Sunday, as aspiring witches and wizards crowded into bookstores to get their hands on the first copies of a new play that imagines the hero as an adult. 
 
Launch parties for &quot;Harry Potter and the Cursed Child&quot; were held hours after the play&#39;s premiere in London, setting the stage for a return of the series that has captivated readers and movie audiences worldwide. 
 
Nearly 300 fans rushed through the doors of Kinokuniya bookstore on Singapore&#39;s Orchard Road at 2301 GMT on Saturday to become one of the first people in the world to see the new script. 
 
Student Samantha Chua, 24, who along with her boyfriend was first in line, said she had been waiting outside the fourth-floor bookstore since 5 am local time . 
 
&quot;We were here so early that the mall wasn&#39;t even open yet so we had to come up through the cargo lifts,&quot; she told AFP, adding that it was &quot;all worth it&quot;. 
 
&quot;I grew up reading the books and I have a special place for them on my shelves, but this will be my crowning glory,&quot; added Chua, who was wearing a Harry Potter-themed sweater. 
 
Widely seen as the eighth Harry Potter instalment, the play is set 19 years after the end of the last book and features a grown-up Potter working at the Ministry of Magic. 
 
Like many of his fans, Potter has now become an adult and has three children with his wife Ginny Weasley. He still has his trademark round-rimmed glasses and the scar on his head, a permanent reminder of his nemesis Lord Voldemort, but must now help his youngest son Albus confront the family&#39;s dark past. 
 
The script&#39;s global kickoff was timed to coincide with its launch at midnight in London, after the play&#39;s world premiere at the Palace Theatre earlier in the evening. July 31 is also author JK Rowling&#39;s birthday. 
 
In Bangkok, around 40 fans, many wielding wands and other wizarding paraphernalia, gathered outside a large downtown mall overnight. Sanpipat Huangsawat, 29, was first in line and had started queuing at 6:30 pm on Saturday evening. 
 
He finally got his hand on the book some 11 hours later. &quot;I feel very excited and it&#39;s great to be the first owner of this book in Thailand,&quot; he told AFP. Sheryans, 16, said he was not sure he&#39;d ever get the chance to see another Harry Potter book launch.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;I&#39;ve been following the Harry Potter series since I was eight years old, and it&#39;s unbelievable that after nine years they&#39;re keeping it going,&quot; he told AFP in Bangkok. 
 
Dozens gathered at a downtown bookstore in Hong Kong to get the new title and try on Harry Potter costumes provided by the store. 
 
Ten-year-old Adele Leung, who came with her mother, was anxious to crack into the latest Potter tome. &quot;I love Harry Potter and have read all of the last ones. I think I will read it in a few days,&quot; she said. 
 
In India, fans began lining up outside shops which had opened early especially for the script&#39;s release. &quot;It&#39;s been amazing to see 10-year-old fans and 70-year-old grandmothers turn up at our shops,&quot; Shilpi Agarwal, a spokeswoman for Om book shops, said in New Delhi. 
 
&quot;We&#39;ve got an excellent response,&quot; she told AFP, adding that the store would be laying on Potter-themed activities throughout the day. 
 
From Chennai to Gurgaon, customers queued up outside bookstores across the country mobbing the counters, publishers said. According to them, the consumer pre-orders for the book was the &quot;highest ever for a hardback book in the history of Indian bookselling&quot;. 
 
&quot;The rave reactions from fans, post the London previews clearly indicate that this is classic Harry Potter back again. The consumer preorders for this book were the highest ever for a hardback book in the history of Indian bookselling. The trade orders are over 1.7 lakh copies and we were sold out last evening,&quot; says Thomas Abraham, Managing Director of Hachette India. 
 
Rowling &quot;done&quot; with Harry 
 
JK Rowling, has revealed that the new play &#39;Harry Potter and the Cursed Child&#39; will be the final story for the wizard.&nbsp;Rowling&#39; s comments came at the opening gala for the play in London on Saturday. 
 
&quot;No. No, he goes on a very big journey during these two plays and then, yeah, I think we&#39;re done. This is the next generation, you know. So, I&#39;m thrilled to see it realised so beautifully but, no, Harry is done now,&quot; said Rowling. 
 
The British writer also added that it was not a difficult decision to put her Potter creation onstage thanks to the vision that was sold to her by theatre producer, Sonia Friedman. 
 
&quot;Actually, no it wasn&#39;t. When Sonia came to meet me, her vision with what the show could be chimed perfectly with the material I had about the next generation, and I could see it would work perfectly. So, I never wanted to write another novel, but this will give the fans something special.&quot; 
 
The play, based on an idea by British author and Potter creator J K Rowling, is set 19 years after &quot;Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows&quot;. It features a grown-up Potter as an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic and father of three children who is grappling with his past. The play is already sold out through May 2017. 
 
It opens ahead of the November movie version of Rowling&#39;s Potter spinoff book &quot;Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them&quot;, and follows the opening in April of a second Harry Potter attraction within a theme park, this time at Universal Studios in Los Angeles. 
 
(Agencies)

Sales in India 'highest ever for a hardback book in history of Indian bookselling'

Harry Potter magic hit Asia on Sunday, as aspiring witches and wizards crowded into bookstores to get their hands on the first copies of a new play that imagines the hero as an adult. Launch parties for "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" were held hours after the play's premiere in London, setting the stage for a return of the series that has captivated readers and movie audiences worldwide. Nearly 300 fans rushed through the doors of Kinokuniya bookstore on Singapore's Orchard Road at 2301 GMT on Saturday to become one of the first people in the world to see the new script. Student Samantha Chua, 24, who along with her boyfriend was first in line, said she had been waiting outside the fourth-floor bookstore since 5 am local time . "We were here so early that the mall wasn't even open yet so we had to come up through the cargo lifts," she told AFP, adding that it was "all worth it". "I grew up reading the books and I have a special place for them on my shelves, but this will be my crowning glory," added Chua, who was wearing a Harry Potter-themed sweater. Widely seen as the eighth Harry Potter instalment, the play is set 19 years after the end of the last book and features a grown-up Potter working at the Ministry of Magic. Like many of his fans, Potter has now become an adult and has three children with his wife Ginny Weasley. He still has his trademark round-rimmed glasses and the scar on his head, a permanent reminder of his nemesis Lord Voldemort, but must now help his youngest son Albus confront the family's dark past. The script's global kickoff was timed to coincide with its launch at midnight in London, after the play's world premiere at the Palace Theatre earlier in the evening. July 31 is also author JK Rowling's birthday. In Bangkok, around 40 fans, many wielding wands and other wizarding paraphernalia, gathered outside a large downtown mall overnight. Sanpipat Huangsawat, 29, was first in line and had started queuing at 6:30 pm on Saturday evening. He finally got his hand on the book some 11 hours later. "I feel very excited and it's great to be the first owner of this book in Thailand," he told AFP. Sheryans, 16, said he was not sure he'd ever get the chance to see another Harry Potter book launch. "I've been following the Harry Potter series since I was eight years old, and it's unbelievable that after nine years they're keeping it going," he told AFP in Bangkok. Dozens gathered at a downtown bookstore in Hong Kong to get the new title and try on Harry Potter costumes provided by the store. Ten-year-old Adele Leung, who came with her mother, was anxious to crack into the latest Potter tome. "I love Harry Potter and have read all of the last ones. I think I will read it in a few days," she said. In India, fans began lining up outside shops which had opened early especially for the script's release. "It's been amazing to see 10-year-old fans and 70-year-old grandmothers turn up at our shops," Shilpi Agarwal, a spokeswoman for Om book shops, said in New Delhi. "We've got an excellent response," she told AFP, adding that the store would be laying on Potter-themed activities throughout the day. From Chennai to Gurgaon, customers queued up outside bookstores across the country mobbing the counters, publishers said. According to them, the consumer pre-orders for the book was the "highest ever for a hardback book in the history of Indian bookselling". "The rave reactions from fans, post the London previews clearly indicate that this is classic Harry Potter back again. The consumer preorders for this book were the highest ever for a hardback book in the history of Indian bookselling. The trade orders are over 1.7 lakh copies and we were sold out last evening," says Thomas Abraham, Managing Director of Hachette India. Rowling "done" with Harry JK Rowling, has revealed that the new play 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' will be the final story for the wizard. Rowling' s comments came at the opening gala for the play in London on Saturday. "No. No, he goes on a very big journey during these two plays and then, yeah, I think we're done. This is the next generation, you know. So, I'm thrilled to see it realised so beautifully but, no, Harry is done now," said Rowling. The British writer also added that it was not a difficult decision to put her Potter creation onstage thanks to the vision that was sold to her by theatre producer, Sonia Friedman. "Actually, no it wasn't. When Sonia came to meet me, her vision with what the show could be chimed perfectly with the material I had about the next generation, and I could see it would work perfectly. So, I never wanted to write another novel, but this will give the fans something special." The play, based on an idea by British author and Potter creator J K Rowling, is set 19 years after "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows". It features a grown-up Potter as an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic and father of three children who is grappling with his past. The play is already sold out through May 2017. It opens ahead of the November movie version of Rowling's Potter spinoff book "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them", and follows the opening in April of a second Harry Potter attraction within a theme park, this time at Universal Studios in Los Angeles. (Agencies)

Harry Pottermania grips Asia

Harry Potter fans were buzzing with excitement on Saturday as &quot;Harry Potter and the Cursed Child&quot;, a stage play that imagines the fictional boy wizard as a grown-up father of three, opened in London. 
 
After nearly eight weeks of well-received preview performances, London&#39;s Palace Theatre hosted the opening gala as the general public were invited to strap themselves in for a new adventure in the saga that has captivated millions around the globe. 
 
Arriving for the opening gala, creator J.K. Rowling told the Press Association she was &quot;so happy&quot; that fans had heeded her pleas to keep the plot a secret, and said she hoped the play would one day appear on Broadway. 
 
Set 19 years after the events of Rowling&#39;s seventh and final book, &quot;Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows&quot;, the play sees a grown-up Potter working at the Ministry of Magic. The official plot outline for the play reads: &quot;While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted.&quot; 
 
&quot;As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places,&quot; it said. 
 
Like many of his fans, Potter has now grown up and has three children with his wife Ginny Weasley, the sister of his friend Ron. He still has his trademark round-rimmed glasses and the scar on his head, a permanent reminder of his nemesis Lord Voldemort, but must now help his youngest son Albus confront the family&#39;s dark past. 
 
&quot;Harry Potter and the Cursed Child&quot; is currently sold out, but another 250,000 tickets are set to go on sale next week as the play&#39;s run has been extended until December 2017. 
 
&#39;Written with fans in mind&#39;&nbsp; 
 
The script will be released in Britain at midnight on Saturday (2300 GMT), with bookshops planning to stay open into the wee small hours to satisfy the desires of Potter fans. July 31 is the birthday of both Rowling and Potter. Her books have sold more than 450 million copies since 1997 and been adapted into eight films. 
 
Jamie Parker plays Potter, who is joined on stage by his old school friends Ron Weasley, played by Paul Thornley, and Hermione Granger, played by Noma Dumezweni. Albus Dumbledore actor Sam Clemmett has been a big hit, as has Anthony Boyle as Draco Malfoy&#39;s son Scorpius. 
 
The theatre show is written by English screenwriter and playwright Jack Thorne, based on an original story co-written with Rowling and the play&#39;s director John Tiffany. 
 
Given the millions of fans around the world, the decision to move the characters on two decades was seen as risky. 
 
&quot;Judging by the whooping and cheering, nobody was disappointed,&quot; Clare Fitzsimons wrote in the Daily Mirror newspaper after the first preview showing last month. &quot;It&#39;s a great show, and it&#39;s well done -- entertaining and interesting for adults and children,&quot; fan Anna, 30, said. 
 
&quot;The play was written with the fans in mind,&quot; she added. &quot;Rowling obviously wanted us to relive some of the pleasure we got from reading the books, and it worked.&quot; 
 
(AFP)

The play is set 19 years after the events of Rowling's final book 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows'

Harry Potter fans were buzzing with excitement on Saturday as "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child", a stage play that imagines the fictional boy wizard as a grown-up father of three, opened in London. After nearly eight weeks of well-received preview performances, London's Palace Theatre hosted the opening gala as the general public were invited to strap themselves in for a new adventure in the saga that has captivated millions around the globe. Arriving for the opening gala, creator J.K. Rowling told the Press Association she was "so happy" that fans had heeded her pleas to keep the plot a secret, and said she hoped the play would one day appear on Broadway. Set 19 years after the events of Rowling's seventh and final book, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows", the play sees a grown-up Potter working at the Ministry of Magic. The official plot outline for the play reads: "While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted." "As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places," it said. Like many of his fans, Potter has now grown up and has three children with his wife Ginny Weasley, the sister of his friend Ron. He still has his trademark round-rimmed glasses and the scar on his head, a permanent reminder of his nemesis Lord Voldemort, but must now help his youngest son Albus confront the family's dark past. "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" is currently sold out, but another 250,000 tickets are set to go on sale next week as the play's run has been extended until December 2017. 'Written with fans in mind' The script will be released in Britain at midnight on Saturday (2300 GMT), with bookshops planning to stay open into the wee small hours to satisfy the desires of Potter fans. July 31 is the birthday of both Rowling and Potter. Her books have sold more than 450 million copies since 1997 and been adapted into eight films. Jamie Parker plays Potter, who is joined on stage by his old school friends Ron Weasley, played by Paul Thornley, and Hermione Granger, played by Noma Dumezweni. Albus Dumbledore actor Sam Clemmett has been a big hit, as has Anthony Boyle as Draco Malfoy's son Scorpius. The theatre show is written by English screenwriter and playwright Jack Thorne, based on an original story co-written with Rowling and the play's director John Tiffany. Given the millions of fans around the world, the decision to move the characters on two decades was seen as risky. "Judging by the whooping and cheering, nobody was disappointed," Clare Fitzsimons wrote in the Daily Mirror newspaper after the first preview showing last month. "It's a great show, and it's well done -- entertaining and interesting for adults and children," fan Anna, 30, said. "The play was written with the fans in mind," she added. "Rowling obviously wanted us to relive some of the pleasure we got from reading the books, and it worked." (AFP)

And the magic continues: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child hits London theatres

It feels as if time has stood still at Lello, a Gothic Revival-style bookstore in the historic centre of Porto, whose heady &quot;olde worlde&quot; ambiance inspired some of the scenes for Harry Potter. 
 
It was in Portugal&#39;s second city that Potter author JK Rowling let her imagination off the leash during two years spent teaching English in the northern town, spending her free time writing early drafts of the seven-volume global blockbuster that made her a literary household name. 
 
With its delicately sculpted wooden panelling, blue, red and golden stained glass and bookshelves piled high from floor to ceiling, not forgetting its iconic and sweeping staircase, Lello conjures its own form of magic. 
 
The place draws in the beholder to set Potteresque pulses racing, so &quot;familiar&quot; does its setting appear to true fans. 
 
&quot;Wow! It&#39;s amazing, it&#39;s so like Harry Potter!&quot; gushes Ines Pinto, a wide-eyed 11-year-old who makes a beeline for a stack of works on the young magician at the store&#39;s entrance. 
 
&quot;For me, it&#39;s the spitting image of Flourish and Blotts, where young sorcerers buy their magic manuals,&quot; adds Nerea Moyeno, a 24-year-old Spanish tourist. 
 
Moyeno hopes soon to get her hands on &quot;Harry Potter and the Cursed Child&quot;, a new play imagining the fictional boy wizard as a grown-up father of three, which has its official premiere in London on Saturday after winning rave reviews for press performances. 
 
&quot;If the Spanish version doesn&#39;t come out soon I&#39;ll buy it in English,&quot; she said. 
 
The story is set 19 years after the seventh and final book in the Potter series, which have collectively shifted more than 450 million copies since 1997 and been adapted into eight films. 
 
Thousands of fans will descend on Porto this weekend for a festival organised by Lello, says Jose Manuel Lello, 59 and the great-grandson of one of the two brothers who founded the bookstore which has ordered 5,000 copies of the new story. 
 
&quot;We have done very good business out of Harry Potter,&quot; Lello tells AFP. 
 
Even though the bookstore started charging visitors three Euros ($3.50) last year, which they recoup if they make a purchase, sales have mushroomed 300 per cent. 
 
The idea behind the fee, Lello says, is to &quot;manage the stream of tourists&quot; who flock to the store at a rate of some 3,000 per day and &quot;transform them into readers&quot;.&nbsp; 
 
The customer cash boon has also enabled the store, which opened in 1906, to undertake extensive repairs in time for Saturday&#39;s celebration. 
 
&quot;We shall rediscover the atmosphere of 110 years ago,&quot; when the store opened its doors, by recreating the decor of the era, says Lello. 
 
The fine staircase will emerge once again after being clad in scaffolding since April. Although it does not move, unlike the Grand Staircase at Hogwarts school of wizardry, there is a definite resemblance. 
 
Rowling was a loyal customer when she lived in Porto between 1991 and 1993 and likewise, was frequently&nbsp;to be found at the nearby Cafe Majestic, a famed belle epoque cultural haunt for the city&#39;s intelligentsia. 
 
It was at one of the cafe&#39;s white marble low tables that Rowling penned an early draft for what would become &quot;Harry Potter and the Philosopher&#39;s Stone&quot;. 
 
Back then she was just another customer sipping a cup. It would be some years later, from 1997, when her books had already made her reputation worldwide, that Lello booksellers and Majestic&#39;s waiters would highlight their link to the author. 
 
&quot;Tourists have suggested putting up a plaque to mark the writer&#39;s passage, but we don&#39;t know yet where to put it,&quot; says Fernando Barrias, son of the legendary Majestic&#39;s owner whose customers have included actress Romy Schneider. 
 
&quot;Yes, we used to frequent the Majestic,&quot; Rowling&#39;s former husband, Portuguese journalist Jorge Arantes, told AFP in a rare interview. He still lives in the brown and green house the former couple lived in after marrying in 1992. 
 
They split up after a nocturnal argument in November 1993. Two weeks later, Rowling, then 28, left Portugal for good, taking her four-month-old daughter with her. 
 
&quot;In those first weeks in Portugal, I wrote what has become my favourite chapter in the Philosopher&#39;s Stone, &#39;The Mirror of Erised&#39;, and had hoped that&nbsp;when I returned from Portugal I would have a finished book under my arm. In fact, I had something even better: my daughter, Jessica,&quot; Rowling explains on her official website. 
 
Two decades on, guide Bruno Correia shows off some of Porto&#39;s haunts which inspired the author. 
 
Those include a tower looking rather like the Astronomy Tower where Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore meets his end, and the Crystal Palace Gardens which bring to mind the Forbidden Forest, as well as the university, home to black-caped students. 
 
&quot;Their uniforms look very much like those of young sorcerers. Tourists even call them Harry Potters,&quot; says Correia, 33, a fan since his teens. 
 
(AFP)

Lello is a Gothic Revival bookstore in Porto, whose heady 'olde worlde' ambiance influenced some of the scenes from Harry Potter

It feels as if time has stood still at Lello, a Gothic Revival-style bookstore in the historic centre of Porto, whose heady "olde worlde" ambiance inspired some of the scenes for Harry Potter. It was in Portugal's second city that Potter author JK Rowling let her imagination off the leash during two years spent teaching English in the northern town, spending her free time writing early drafts of the seven-volume global blockbuster that made her a literary household name. With its delicately sculpted wooden panelling, blue, red and golden stained glass and bookshelves piled high from floor to ceiling, not forgetting its iconic and sweeping staircase, Lello conjures its own form of magic. The place draws in the beholder to set Potteresque pulses racing, so "familiar" does its setting appear to true fans. "Wow! It's amazing, it's so like Harry Potter!" gushes Ines Pinto, a wide-eyed 11-year-old who makes a beeline for a stack of works on the young magician at the store's entrance. "For me, it's the spitting image of Flourish and Blotts, where young sorcerers buy their magic manuals," adds Nerea Moyeno, a 24-year-old Spanish tourist. Moyeno hopes soon to get her hands on "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child", a new play imagining the fictional boy wizard as a grown-up father of three, which has its official premiere in London on Saturday after winning rave reviews for press performances. "If the Spanish version doesn't come out soon I'll buy it in English," she said. The story is set 19 years after the seventh and final book in the Potter series, which have collectively shifted more than 450 million copies since 1997 and been adapted into eight films. Thousands of fans will descend on Porto this weekend for a festival organised by Lello, says Jose Manuel Lello, 59 and the great-grandson of one of the two brothers who founded the bookstore which has ordered 5,000 copies of the new story. "We have done very good business out of Harry Potter," Lello tells AFP. Even though the bookstore started charging visitors three Euros ($3.50) last year, which they recoup if they make a purchase, sales have mushroomed 300 per cent. The idea behind the fee, Lello says, is to "manage the stream of tourists" who flock to the store at a rate of some 3,000 per day and "transform them into readers". The customer cash boon has also enabled the store, which opened in 1906, to undertake extensive repairs in time for Saturday's celebration. "We shall rediscover the atmosphere of 110 years ago," when the store opened its doors, by recreating the decor of the era, says Lello. The fine staircase will emerge once again after being clad in scaffolding since April. Although it does not move, unlike the Grand Staircase at Hogwarts school of wizardry, there is a definite resemblance. Rowling was a loyal customer when she lived in Porto between 1991 and 1993 and likewise, was frequently to be found at the nearby Cafe Majestic, a famed belle epoque cultural haunt for the city's intelligentsia. It was at one of the cafe's white marble low tables that Rowling penned an early draft for what would become "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone". Back then she was just another customer sipping a cup. It would be some years later, from 1997, when her books had already made her reputation worldwide, that Lello booksellers and Majestic's waiters would highlight their link to the author. "Tourists have suggested putting up a plaque to mark the writer's passage, but we don't know yet where to put it," says Fernando Barrias, son of the legendary Majestic's owner whose customers have included actress Romy Schneider. "Yes, we used to frequent the Majestic," Rowling's former husband, Portuguese journalist Jorge Arantes, told AFP in a rare interview. He still lives in the brown and green house the former couple lived in after marrying in 1992. They split up after a nocturnal argument in November 1993. Two weeks later, Rowling, then 28, left Portugal for good, taking her four-month-old daughter with her. "In those first weeks in Portugal, I wrote what has become my favourite chapter in the Philosopher's Stone, 'The Mirror of Erised', and had hoped that when I returned from Portugal I would have a finished book under my arm. In fact, I had something even better: my daughter, Jessica," Rowling explains on her official website. Two decades on, guide Bruno Correia shows off some of Porto's haunts which inspired the author. Those include a tower looking rather like the Astronomy Tower where Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore meets his end, and the Crystal Palace Gardens which bring to mind the Forbidden Forest, as well as the university, home to black-caped students. "Their uniforms look very much like those of young sorcerers. Tourists even call them Harry Potters," says Correia, 33, a fan since his teens. (AFP)

A look at JK Rowling's inspiration in Portugal

Britain&#39;s Pinewood Studios, where Harry Potter and James Bond movies were filmed, could be sold to a property company for &pound;323 million (384 million euros, $426 million) under a draft deal revealed today. 
 
Pinewood &quot;announces that it has reached agreement on key terms of a possible cash offer for Pinewood by Venus Grafton,&quot; a subsidiary of PW Real Estate Fund, Pinewood Group said in a statement. 
 
Pinewood owns television and film studios around the world including those in the US and Canada, but the jewel in its crown is the original Pinewood Studios.&nbsp; 
 
Built west of London in the 1930s, they became famous as the setting for British cinema classics. More recently, parts of the latest &quot;Star Wars: The Force Awakens&quot; were filmed there. Hollywood star Harrison Ford could have been killed when a door from the Millenium Falcon spaceship set fell on him during filming in 2014, a court heard earlier this week in a health and safety case. 
 
The actor suffered a broken leg in the incident. The 007 stage at Pinewood was built for the Bond film &quot;The Spy Who Loved Me&quot; and has since been used for numerous productions including &quot;Lara Croft Tomb Raider&quot; and &quot;The Da Vinci Code&quot;. Pinewood had appointed Rothschild investment bank in February to prepare a possible sale of the company. 
 
The shareholder register is &quot;tightly held, which has continued to stifle liquidity in the shares and has prevented the company from achieving its aim of obtaining a main market listing&quot;, Pinewood Group said. Pinewood shareholders would receive 560 pence in cash for each share plus a final dividend of 3.2 pence per share, according to the terms of the draft deal. 
 
Pinewood Group said it would recommend a firm offer to shareholders. The company&#39;s share price was down 5.17 percent at 550 pence by 10:20 GMT after the announcement. 
 
(AFP)

Built west of London in the 1930s, Pinewood Studios became famous as the setting for British cinema classics

Britain's Pinewood Studios, where Harry Potter and James Bond movies were filmed, could be sold to a property company for £323 million (384 million euros, $426 million) under a draft deal revealed today. Pinewood "announces that it has reached agreement on key terms of a possible cash offer for Pinewood by Venus Grafton," a subsidiary of PW Real Estate Fund, Pinewood Group said in a statement. Pinewood owns television and film studios around the world including those in the US and Canada, but the jewel in its crown is the original Pinewood Studios. Built west of London in the 1930s, they became famous as the setting for British cinema classics. More recently, parts of the latest "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" were filmed there. Hollywood star Harrison Ford could have been killed when a door from the Millenium Falcon spaceship set fell on him during filming in 2014, a court heard earlier this week in a health and safety case. The actor suffered a broken leg in the incident. The 007 stage at Pinewood was built for the Bond film "The Spy Who Loved Me" and has since been used for numerous productions including "Lara Croft Tomb Raider" and "The Da Vinci Code". Pinewood had appointed Rothschild investment bank in February to prepare a possible sale of the company. The shareholder register is "tightly held, which has continued to stifle liquidity in the shares and has prevented the company from achieving its aim of obtaining a main market listing", Pinewood Group said. Pinewood shareholders would receive 560 pence in cash for each share plus a final dividend of 3.2 pence per share, according to the terms of the draft deal. Pinewood Group said it would recommend a firm offer to shareholders. The company's share price was down 5.17 percent at 550 pence by 10:20 GMT after the announcement. (AFP)

Harry Potter, James Bond studios could be sold for ?323m

To some it may be an imagined sport, but for the players at the Quidditch World Cup in Frankfurt on Sunday (July 24), the competition was very real. 
 
The sport played by young witches and wizards in Joanne Kathleen (JK) Rowling&#39;s Harry Potter novels has become a phenomenon in its own right, played by competitors with sticks between their legs representing broomsticks. 
 
Teams from across the world were battling to become World Cup champions in the German city of Frankfurt, attempting to score points by throwing the ball through hoops whilst chasing the elusive &#39;snitch&#39;, embodied by a player with a tennis ball swinging from their trousers in a sock. 
 
With such varied roles in the team, the sport offers something for everybody, says spokeswoman for the German national team Juliane Schillinger. 
 
&quot;Quidditch is a very multi-faceted game so it attracts a great range of athletes and also lots of people who aren&#39;t normally into sport but come along because of their fascination with Harry Potter and try something new,&quot; she said. 
 
Fans and players alike seemed to be enjoying the atmosphere in sunny Frankfurt. 
 
&quot;The community&#39;s just amazing, you can see there&#39;s people from all different countries around the world and it&#39;s just.. you meet people, a lot of really really interesting and amazing people and I love it,&quot; United States player Celen Richard said. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s very different to what you see in other sports and it puts you in a good mood, it&#39;s something different,&quot; spectator Caroline Weber said. 
 
Quidditch was adapted in 2005 by US students at Middlebury College in Vermont. 
 
Since then, the sport has spread to dozens of countries and has some 700 teams, mainly based in the United States and largely at colleges and universities. 
 
(Reuters)

The sport played by young witches and wizards in JK Rowling's Harry Potter novels has become a phenomenon in its own right

To some it may be an imagined sport, but for the players at the Quidditch World Cup in Frankfurt on Sunday (July 24), the competition was very real. The sport played by young witches and wizards in Joanne Kathleen (JK) Rowling's Harry Potter novels has become a phenomenon in its own right, played by competitors with sticks between their legs representing broomsticks. Teams from across the world were battling to become World Cup champions in the German city of Frankfurt, attempting to score points by throwing the ball through hoops whilst chasing the elusive 'snitch', embodied by a player with a tennis ball swinging from their trousers in a sock. With such varied roles in the team, the sport offers something for everybody, says spokeswoman for the German national team Juliane Schillinger. "Quidditch is a very multi-faceted game so it attracts a great range of athletes and also lots of people who aren't normally into sport but come along because of their fascination with Harry Potter and try something new," she said. Fans and players alike seemed to be enjoying the atmosphere in sunny Frankfurt. "The community's just amazing, you can see there's people from all different countries around the world and it's just.. you meet people, a lot of really really interesting and amazing people and I love it," United States player Celen Richard said. "It's very different to what you see in other sports and it puts you in a good mood, it's something different," spectator Caroline Weber said. Quidditch was adapted in 2005 by US students at Middlebury College in Vermont. Since then, the sport has spread to dozens of countries and has some 700 teams, mainly based in the United States and largely at colleges and universities. (Reuters)

All aboard broomsticks for Quidditch World Cup in Germany

Harry Potter fans can plunge into the magical world of wizards thanks to an exhibition dedicated to the film franchise opening in the Belgian capital. 
 
Visitors can experience first-hand what life at wizarding school Hogwarts is like by wandering through the Gryffindor&#39;s common room, strolling through the so-called Forbidden Forest or just by sitting in gamekeeper Hagrids&#39; huge chair in the rustic-style hut. 
 
The exhibition&#39;s press officer, Peter Monbailleu, said it was not necessary to be a fan of the books and films to enjoy the exhibition. 
 
&quot;It is made for the fans in the first place. If you are not a fan, you will definitely enjoy it. If you are a fan, you will love it. This is Harry Potter&#39;s fans dream come true,&quot; he said. 
 
Monballieu claimed the the exhibition turned out to be a big success with already one hundred thousand tickets sold online before the opening on 30 June. 
 
Monballieu explains the success of the franchise by the mix of adventure and universal values it carries. 
 
&quot;I think the whole Harry Potter saga is a story in which everybody has some characters that they can identify with. It is a universal story, it is about courage and it is about connection between people and it is about hanging in there. Keeping yourself together and adventure. It is one big adventure so everybody loves the story and an adventure,&quot; Monballieu said. 
 
Caroline Biassinne, who visited the venue with her sister Sophie, said she enjoyed the Brussels event. 
 
&quot;It was great, really cool. You could see many things, especially the props, lots of props. That was especially great. So now one can imagine how it was like shooting the films,&quot; she said. 
 
Xavier Pottillius visited the exhibition with a group of children. He said he enjoyed it despite not being a fan of the series. 
 
&quot;I find it a very nice exhibition, even though I&#39;m not a Harry Potter fan myself. I&#39;m here with a group of children and the children love this exhibition a lot,&quot; he said. 
 
The touring exhibition premiered in Chicago in 2009 and is in Brussels until mid-September. 
 
(Reuters)

The exhibition is dedicated to the film franchise. 'It's a dream come true for Harry Potter fans,' said the venue's press officer

Harry Potter fans can plunge into the magical world of wizards thanks to an exhibition dedicated to the film franchise opening in the Belgian capital. Visitors can experience first-hand what life at wizarding school Hogwarts is like by wandering through the Gryffindor's common room, strolling through the so-called Forbidden Forest or just by sitting in gamekeeper Hagrids' huge chair in the rustic-style hut. The exhibition's press officer, Peter Monbailleu, said it was not necessary to be a fan of the books and films to enjoy the exhibition. "It is made for the fans in the first place. If you are not a fan, you will definitely enjoy it. If you are a fan, you will love it. This is Harry Potter's fans dream come true," he said. Monballieu claimed the the exhibition turned out to be a big success with already one hundred thousand tickets sold online before the opening on 30 June. Monballieu explains the success of the franchise by the mix of adventure and universal values it carries. "I think the whole Harry Potter saga is a story in which everybody has some characters that they can identify with. It is a universal story, it is about courage and it is about connection between people and it is about hanging in there. Keeping yourself together and adventure. It is one big adventure so everybody loves the story and an adventure," Monballieu said. Caroline Biassinne, who visited the venue with her sister Sophie, said she enjoyed the Brussels event. "It was great, really cool. You could see many things, especially the props, lots of props. That was especially great. So now one can imagine how it was like shooting the films," she said. Xavier Pottillius visited the exhibition with a group of children. He said he enjoyed it despite not being a fan of the series. "I find it a very nice exhibition, even though I'm not a Harry Potter fan myself. I'm here with a group of children and the children love this exhibition a lot," he said. The touring exhibition premiered in Chicago in 2009 and is in Brussels until mid-September. (Reuters)

Harry Potter exhibition brings touch of magic to Brussels

Queues snaked for meters at London&#39;s Palace Theatre on Tuesday (June 7). The reason? The next installment in the &#39;Harry Potter&#39; saga.

&#39;Harry Potter and the Cursed Child&#39; opened for the first of several previews at the central London venue&nbsp;and fans lucky enough to secure tickets for the event waited anxiously to get into the theatre.

The story - which is split into two parts - follows title character Harry Potter (played by Jamie Parker) and his school friends Ron Weasley (Paul Thornley) and Hermione Granger (Noma Dumezweni) in adulthood.

Set 19 years after JK Rowling&#39;s last work &#39;The Deathly Hallows&#39;, the &#39;Cursed Child&#39; was adapted from a story written by Rowling and director John Tiffany - and brought to the stage by playwright Jack Thorne.

Fans were thrilled with the story which focuses on the title character and his youngest son Albus.

Harry is shown as an overworked Ministry of Magic employee coping with his son&#39;s struggles to deal with being the son of the famous wizard.

However, there has been very little other detail about the play revealed - as JK Rowling has requested that audiences don&#39;t spoil the story for others.

Harry Potter enthusiasts were thrilled by the play.

Super fan Callum Fawcett said, &quot;I really liked the films but after seeing this, I would say, &quot;Forget the films&quot;. I mean, this is fantastic. I would definitely come to watch this. It&#39;s got everything. It&#39;s got the real magic that the films miss out, if you know what I mean.&quot;

It seems as though the play will appeal most to super fans, rather than the casual Harry Potter enthusiast.

David Rolls said the plot is easy to get confused over if you don&#39;t know the stories inside out. &quot;I must admit I got a bit lost with some of the characters. You have to be a real super fan, I think, to get into the story,&quot; he said.

Perhaps the biggest fan in attendance was Samantha Kent, who arrived at the venue at 12pm - seven and a half hours before the show started. She showed off her numerous Harry Potter themed tattoos and explained why she got to the theatre so early.

&quot;Because I was photographed as the first person to queue up in Birmingham for the last book, and I kind of had to beat my record. Apart from that, I&#39;m a massive fan,&quot; said Kent.

There has been some controversy over the casting of the play - with criticism that some of the actors don&#39;t look the same as the cast who played the characters in the films.

In particular, the decision to cast Noma Dumezweni as Hermione Granger in the play has provoked debate as the actress is black, whereas Emma Watson who plays the same character in the films is white.

JK Rowling has hit out at critics, saying she never specified what ethnicity any of the characters were in the books.

Many of the audience said it didn&#39;t matter what the play actors looked like.

&quot;Personally, I feel it&#39;s how they [the characters] should have been all along. Hermione particulary, as a woman of colour, is just groundbreaking and it&#39;s amazing and she suits the role so, so well,&quot; said&nbsp;Jess Hart, a fan of the series.

Previews of &#39;The Cursed Child&#39; continue until July 30 when the play opens officially.

'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' opened for the first of several previews at the central London venue. Previews of 'The Cursed Child' continue until July 30 when the play opens officially

Queues snaked for meters at London's Palace Theatre on Tuesday (June 7). The reason? The next installment in the 'Harry Potter' saga. 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' opened for the first of several previews at the central London venue and fans lucky enough to secure tickets for the event waited anxiously to get into the theatre. The story - which is split into two parts - follows title character Harry Potter (played by Jamie Parker) and his school friends Ron Weasley (Paul Thornley) and Hermione Granger (Noma Dumezweni) in adulthood. Set 19 years after JK Rowling's last work 'The Deathly Hallows', the 'Cursed Child' was adapted from a story written by Rowling and director John Tiffany - and brought to the stage by playwright Jack Thorne. Fans were thrilled with the story which focuses on the title character and his youngest son Albus. Harry is shown as an overworked Ministry of Magic employee coping with his son's struggles to deal with being the son of the famous wizard. However, there has been very little other detail about the play revealed - as JK Rowling has requested that audiences don't spoil the story for others. Harry Potter enthusiasts were thrilled by the play. Super fan Callum Fawcett said, "I really liked the films but after seeing this, I would say, "Forget the films". I mean, this is fantastic. I would definitely come to watch this. It's got everything. It's got the real magic that the films miss out, if you know what I mean." It seems as though the play will appeal most to super fans, rather than the casual Harry Potter enthusiast. David Rolls said the plot is easy to get confused over if you don't know the stories inside out. "I must admit I got a bit lost with some of the characters. You have to be a real super fan, I think, to get into the story," he said. Perhaps the biggest fan in attendance was Samantha Kent, who arrived at the venue at 12pm - seven and a half hours before the show started. She showed off her numerous Harry Potter themed tattoos and explained why she got to the theatre so early. "Because I was photographed as the first person to queue up in Birmingham for the last book, and I kind of had to beat my record. Apart from that, I'm a massive fan," said Kent. There has been some controversy over the casting of the play - with criticism that some of the actors don't look the same as the cast who played the characters in the films. In particular, the decision to cast Noma Dumezweni as Hermione Granger in the play has provoked debate as the actress is black, whereas Emma Watson who plays the same character in the films is white. JK Rowling has hit out at critics, saying she never specified what ethnicity any of the characters were in the books. Many of the audience said it didn't matter what the play actors looked like. "Personally, I feel it's how they [the characters] should have been all along. Hermione particulary, as a woman of colour, is just groundbreaking and it's amazing and she suits the role so, so well," said Jess Hart, a fan of the series. Previews of 'The Cursed Child' continue until July 30 when the play opens officially.

JK Rowling's newest work brings magic back to life

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