All posts tagged: Harry Potter

Paramount Nabs ‘Harry Potter,’ ‘Fantastic Beasts’ in Linear TV Licensing Deal

Paramount Nabs ‘Harry Potter,’ ‘Fantastic Beasts’ in Linear TV Licensing Deal

Published by Daniella Wilson

Paramount has become the new linear TV home for Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts movies after signing a a multiyear licensing agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery. The deal, coming as the Paramount-WBD merger nears the finish line, covers 11 films and will kick off with marathon play for the eight Harry Potter tentpoles adapting J.K. Rowling’s novel series and three Fantastic Beasts spinoffs on MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite and Paramount Network, starting on July 3. “Expanding Paramount’s portfolio with the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films underscores our commitment to delivering world-class franchises to the wide range of audiences our brands serve. As one of the most beloved and enduring franchises in entertainment, Harry Potter continues to captivate audiences across generations, and this addition enables us to deliver the magic and adventure of these timeless stories to fans of all ages,” Laurel Weir, head of programming and acquisitions for Paramount Media Networks, said in a statement. Paramount’s $111 billion takeover of Warner Bros. aims to transform the studio into a theatrical and news giant amid competition in Hollywood from …

If You Never Received Your Hogwarts Acceptance Letter You Can Learn Magic At Harvard Instead

If You Never Received Your Hogwarts Acceptance Letter You Can Learn Magic At Harvard Instead

Published by Jenni Sidey

I think my Hogwarts letter got lost in the mail when I was 11. And, although a whole army of owls showed up with extra letters for Harry Potter when his Uncle Vernon destroyed his original copy, that never happened for me. Magic may sound a bit sketchy to rational thinkers, but there’s something wonderful about believing the impossible could actually happen. About one-third of Americans believe that the power of magic is a real thing. Now, one of the most legendary universities in the country is offering an alternative to Hogwarts, so it’s time to pull out your wands. A class called ‘Omens, Oracles, and Prophecies’ is available to take online through Harvard University. Unfortunately, it probably won’t give you quite as well-rounded of a magical education as you would receive from Hogwarts. The course is entirely virtual and only lasts a week, so there’s no enchanted castle ambience included. However, you can sign up for the class anytime that you feel interested in doing so, and it’s completely free, unless you want to …

Ralph Fiennes Reveals Who Should Play Voldemort in Harry Potter Series

Ralph Fiennes Reveals Who Should Play Voldemort in Harry Potter Series

Published by Daniella Wilson

Ralph Fiennes has shared who he’d want to see play Lord Voldemort in HBO‘s upcoming series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Fiennes recently appeared on BBC’s The Claudia Winkleman Show and was asked for his opinion on who should take over the villain role, which has not yet been cast. “I remember being asked the question, ‘Would I reprise the part?’ This was some years ago. And I said, ‘Yes, I’d love to,’” he said. “But then nothing’s happened, and I think that ship has sailed.” Though he finally admitted, “I’ll tell you, Tilda Swinton was mentioned somewhere as being a contender, and I think she would be amazing.” Swinton is known for her Oscar-winning performance in Michael Clayton and for her portrayal of the White Witch in The Chronicles of Narnia. Her credits also include Suspiria, Snowpiercer, We Need to Talk About Kevin, Asteroid City and The Room Next Door, among many more. The 28 Years Later star played Voldemort in five of the eight Harry Potter films, led by Daniel Radcliffe. Last …

Harry Potter star Bonnie Wright announces second baby in adorable Easter update with son Elio

Harry Potter star Bonnie Wright announces second baby in adorable Easter update with son Elio

Published by Daniella Wilson

Congratulations are in order for Harry Potter star Bonnie Wright, who has announced that she is expecting her second child in an adorable Easter update. Taking to Instagram on Sunday, the Ginny Weasley actress shared a photo of her son, Elio, lying with his head in his mum’s lap. She captioned it: “Two babies on my lap. Our second little earthling joining us this autumn!!” © Instagram/@thisisbwrightBonnie announced the happy news with a picture of her son, Elio, kissing her baby bump The upcoming arrival will be Bonnie’s second child with her husband, Andrew Lococo, whom she married in 2022. The couple welcomed their first child, Elio, in September 2023. Bonnie’s followers react to the news Bonnie has 3.8 million followers on Instagram, many of whom were quick to share their congratulations in the comments. Evanna Lynch, who played Luna Lovegood in the Harry Potter series, wrote: “Ahhh congratulations Bonnie!!!” Another user commented: “The type of joy the world needs! Congrats and big love,” while a third penned: “The best news Bonnieeeeeeeee.” A fourth added: …

John Lithgow Says Rowling’s Views Have Been “Misrepresented”

John Lithgow Says Rowling’s Views Have Been “Misrepresented”

Published by Daniella Wilson

Harry Potter and Philosopher’s Stone star John Lithgow is once again clarifying his views on J.K. Rowling. The actor, who plays Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore in the upcoming HBO series, spoke to The New Yorker Radio Hour last week about the fantasy author, who has been widely criticized for her trans views. Explaining why he took on the role, the 80-year-old actor said, “There was everything attractive about the job and job security into my late years. You know, you don’t ignore those issues. The whole subject of Rowling’s imputed prejudice, it came up sort of after everything was already underway. I’d already said yes.” Lithgow said, as he’s expressed previously, that he was urged to walk away from the project, but, “I was not about to do that.” “I just felt the reasons to do it were much, much stronger than the reasons to protest against what Rowling has done and said,” Lithgow added. “I do disagree with much of it. Much of it I think has been twisted and misrepresented, and she has …

‘Harry Potter’ Series to Air Behind-the-Scenes Special on HBO

‘Harry Potter’ Series to Air Behind-the-Scenes Special on HBO

Published by Daniella Wilson

HBO is set to air an exclusive behind-the-scenes special of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, their upcoming TV adaptation of J.K. Rowling‘s wizarding world books. Finding Harry: The Craft Behind the Magic offers “an in-depth look at the making of the first season” — the trailer for which was released, and broke HBO records, last week — and will debut Sunday, April 5 on HBO Max in the U.S., the U.K., and Ireland. A teaser for the episode dropped Thursday, showing interviews with John Lithgow (playing Dumbledore), Paapa Essiedu (Snape), and all of the crew involved in the creation of the big-budget project. The special is narrated by Hagrid actor Nick Frost, and also chronicles the search for Harry, Ron, and Hermione, roles that subsequently went to Dominic McLaughlin, Alistair Stout, and Arabella Stanton. “You wait to do something forever that means that much to people,” Lithgow says. Essiedu adds: “Just walking in and seeing the train, you imagine yourself being a kid at Hogwarts.” A plot synopsis reads: “It’s been 25 years since audiences first walked the hallowed halls of …

The ‘unnatural’ reality of HBO’s Harry Potter fame – and how Dominic McLaughlin can protect himself

The ‘unnatural’ reality of HBO’s Harry Potter fame – and how Dominic McLaughlin can protect himself

Published by Daniella Wilson

If the global reaction to HBO’s new Harry Potter series’ trailer is anything to go by, child actor Dominic McLaughlin is about to experience an onslaught of public attention as he is thrust into the limelight ahead of the highly anticipated release.  Mirroring Daniel Radcliffe’s career, who was also 12 years old when the Harry Potter movie franchise made its debut in 2001, the Scottish pre-teen and his family are about to watch their lives change forever when the series hits the airwaves on Christmas Day.  Unlike the original Harry, Hermione, and Ron, Dominic has already wet his acting feet, appearing in the Sky comedy film Grow with Nick Frost (who plays Rubeus Hagrid in the new show), the BBC adventure series Gifted, and in an on-stage production of Macbeth in Edinburgh.  However, while he is no stranger to a TV set, nothing will compare to the magnitude of the Harry Potter universe and its global appeal. HELLO! asked a psychologist how the budding actor can mentally and emotionally prepare for his inevitable fame as …

Harry Potter Trailer Makes History as Most-Viewed for HBO

Harry Potter Trailer Makes History as Most-Viewed for HBO

Published by Daniella Wilson

Fans are tuned in to see the Boy Who Lived back on screen. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, a TV series reimagining J.K. Rowling’s seven-part book series and part of the Warner Bros. franchise, which starred Daniel Radcliffe as its title character, released its first trailer on Wednesday. After the first 48 hours, it had reached more than 277 million organic views across platforms, making it the most-watched trailer in HBO and HBO Max history. The first season of the multiseason series is set to follow Rowling’s first novel, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, and each season will presumably focus on another book. “I’ve always wanted to know about my parents,” Harry says in the trailer to Hagrid (Nick Frost), who responds: “Your parents were the kindest, bravest people I have ever met. They were funny and clever and they stood up for what they believed was right. The next time I see you will be at Hogwarts.” The trailer shows Harry meeting, who will become his best friends, Ron Weasley (Alastair Stout) …