Where Are They Now: Harry Melling

Curtis Brown Agency

Dudley Dursley isn't the most well-liked Muggle character in the wizarding world. Showered with love by his parents Vernon and Pentunia, and raised with their ignorance, the spoiled child grew up basking in bullying his cousin. The role of Dudley was portrayed by the young actor Harry Melling, who like his co-star Daniel Radcliffe would grow up on-screen. Like many actors in the Harry Potter series, to celebrate Harry Melling's birthday, let's take a look brief at the career Melling has achieved so far and what the actor has been through since the Harry Potter series concluded.

Before entering the Harry Potter cinematic universe as Dudley Dursley, Melling had already begun his career as a child actor on the stage. The London native starred in productions such as The Provoked Wife, King John, Antigone, and Plenty. At eleven years old, Melling snagged the precarious role of the spoiled Dursley, a character who was plump and dumbed down. It was a role that would guarantee him an appearance for five films While appearing in five of the Harry Potter films, he starred alongside his Harry Potter co-star Fiona Shaw (Petunia Dursley) in a revival of Mother Courage and her Children in 2009 - when Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince movie was released.

"The thing with [having played] Dudley is that you get a call every now and again going, 'We're looking for a really fat rattish guy.' And then my agent has to go, 'Oh, no, sorry. He's changed.'" - The Movie Network

In 2011, Melling almost lost the role for of Dudley in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 after undergoing a weight loss transformation while attending drama school. The young star had lost so much weight that he was almost recast, but he ended up reprising his role by wearing a fat suit (a scene that is now famously deleted from the official film). For the final film Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, the Dursley clan did not make a final appearance in the franchise. On his weight loss, he has said that being able to shed the weight has allowed him to let go of being a child actor and branch out into different roles after playing Dudley. Shaw once described Melling's physical changes as an opportunity to transform into a character actor she knows he has the ability to become.

After the film series ended, Melling returned to the stage where he received rave reviews from critics. Across London, he has starred in numerous productions such from Shakespeare such as King Lear and Robert Askins's Hand to God and James Graham's The Angry Brigade. He continued to make appearances in television and film, though his credits are limited after the Harry Potter franchise. In 2016, he starred alongside Charles Hunnam and fellow Harry Potter co-star Robert Pattinson and in The Lost City of Z, a film about British explorer Percy Fawcett's who attempted to find an ancient lost city in the Amazon. In television, Melling had a supporting role in the BBC One Tv series Merlin in 2010, and as Bastien in the BBC television series The Musketeers in 2016.

As of 2018, there's no public news of his current or upcoming projects. Melling lives a relatively private life in London where he grew up. In the Harry Potter universe, Dudley Dursley will always be a member of the wizarding world. Though Melling gave a part of his acting talent to the film series, we have no doubt that he'll continue to establish himself as a versatile actor for years to come.

Happy 19 Years Later! Historic Harry Potter Date Comes to Life in Real Time

In 1998, author J.K. Rowling embarked on a publishing journey where she took readers into her imagination known as the wizarding world. A young boy Harry Potter discovered he was a wizard and destined to face off against Lord Voldemort, one of the darkest wizards of all-time.From characters and places to magical objects and even calendar dates, her creations have held a genuine significance for fans to reflect on and celebrate. September 1st, 2017, marks the pivotal occasion when her hero's journey came to an end in her books.

Today, in the real and fictional world, Harry Potter with his friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger return to King's Cross Station. Following years of trials and triumphs fighting Lord Voldemort, their lives have changed for the better in the final installment Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. After an epic battle descends between good and evil on the Hogwarts grounds, Rowling's epilogue offers consolation to her readers - all turns out to be well for our hero.

Standing on Platform 9 3/4 Quarters, where young Harry and readers initially crossed over between the Muggle to wizarding world, an adult Harry Potter stands with his family wife Ginny Weasley and their children Albus Severus, James Sirius and Lily Luna. Among other parents and children on the platform, Ron and Hermione are married with children Rose Granger-Weasley and Hugo Granger-Weasley. They're all readying to send their children off to their first year of wizarding schooling at Hogwarts.

For many Harry Potter fans, the epilogue brimming with details brought comfort to the long-awaiting and anticipating journey for their favorite series to end. A lot has happened for the characters as the book comes to a close. Some Potterheads weren't happy with the vagueness of Rowling's last moments and who she decided to feature in the end.

In 2007, fans might've thought Deathly Hallows would be the end of reading an officially published story of Harry Potter by Rowling. But the beloved author would surprise everyone nearly eight years later in 2015 by approving of the official eighth story: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

Picking up on this very day where her novel left off, Potter's child Albus Severus and his friend Scorpius Malfoy commence a series of mind-and-time bending shenanigans at Hogwarts. Exclusively sold as a rehearsal script and performed specifically for the stage on the West End and Broadway, Cursed Child, the next addition marked a new era for fans and the wizarding world.

September 1st, 2017 is only going to happen once. And, it's truly magical that we can live this date from the books in real time. Kings Cross Station in London serves as a literary landmark, where soem fans are taking the day to visit the place where it all started to board the Hogwarts express. Others have found other ways to celebrate this special day by watching the movies, going to the theme parks or theatrical show, and of course, reading the books.

So rarely does a fantasy series merge fiction with the real world in such an inspiring, monumental way that it captures millions of readers' hearts. Rowling's story has come to life in the movies, theme parks, museums, and merchandise. A lot of fans identify with the characters. Because of the theme parks, we can go to some of the story's locations like Diagon Alley, Hogsmeade and Hogwarts. Dates on the calendar are now acknowledged on social media and fandom communities around the world. The story might've started in our imaginations, but it became something far more important and exciting, something to celebrate in our everyday lives.

Happy 19 Years Later!

Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them Release Date

Though we never really said goodbye, the Muggle world welcomed the return of the magical series five years after the final Harry Potter film hit theaters. Weaving a spin-off from the companion textbook published for Comic Relief in 2001, director David Yates returned to direct a new franchise: Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them.

This tale of the wizarding world dates to the 1920s in America as the famous magizologist Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) goes searching for his mysterious creatures set loose in New York City. But the politics between No-Majs and wizards is very different than what the compassionate adventurer is used to across the pond, as he and new companions unlock some deep secrets and mistaken identities in the Magical Congress of the United States of America.

Since the story takes place decades before the boy who lived was born, fans were introduced to a wide array of new and familiar characters. The film stars Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander, with Katherine Waterston as his (future) wife Porpentina Goldstein, Dan Fogler as No-Maj friend Jacob, Alison Sudol as Queenie Goldstein. Other notable actors include Ezra Miller, Samantha Morton, Jon Voight, Carmen Ejogo, Ron Perlman and Colin Farrell in supporting roles.

Fantastic Beasts wasn't just the start of a major return for Harry Potter fans, but also the mark of J.K. Rowling becoming a screenwriter. Though the film was initially rumored to be a three-part franchise, she later revealed that plans for the story would venture much further into a five-films and would also be penning the next sequel as well.

This first film was released on November 18th, 2016 in the UK and United States, earning $814 million at the box office. Costume Designer Colleen Atwood won an Academy Award, the first win for the entire Harry Potter series.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix book release date

After a three year wait from the release of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, fans were clamouring for the fifth book in the series. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix marked a dark change ahead for the boy who lived who began encountering a wider understanding of his connection to Lord Voldemort.

Harry Potter is still reeling from the Triwizard Tournament which marked the return of the Dark Lord and resulted in the death of a fellow student. Senior Undersecretary to the Minister for Magic Dolores Umbridge puts Hogwarts under the watchful eye of the Ministry of Magic as she becomes the new Defense Against the Dark Arts class. The young students are challenged by the complicated world of the wizarding government as well what the future (and past) may reveal about He-Who-Must-Be-Named.

The book was published on June 21st, 2003 by Bloomsbury in the UK and Scholastic published it in the United States. In the first 24 hours, five million copies were sold. Phoenix would garner several awards for JK Rowling such as Oppenheim Toy Portfolio 2004 Gold Medal and American Library Association named it the Best Book for Young Adults in 2003.

Did You Know?

• it is the longest book in the series
• Stephen Fry joked it was heavier than a refrigerator
• it is the first book to be release as the movies were being produced

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire book release date

After previously rescuing his godfather Sirius Black from the clutches of dementor's kiss, Harry Potter returns to his fourth year at Hogwarts in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Unlike any challenge he's faced before, the young Gryffindor student is inadvertently entered into a deadly series of challenges known as the Triwizard Tournament.

Like the second book in the series Chamber of Secrets, Rowling had difficulty writing this fourth addition. Halfway through the book, the author realized a major plothole and decided to rewrite the story. The rumored flaw of the original plot is an additional Weasley family member who follows Harry around the school during the Triwizard tournament and releases  information to the press about him. Rowling discovered that this character was far too out there, because what teenager would have these kinds of connections, and decided to make change the plot with Rita Skeeter in mind instead.

Up to this point, Goblet of Fire was the biggest book of the series, only to be outdone by the next installment Order of the Phoenix. On July 8th, 2000, the book was published in the UK by Bloomsbury and Scholastic in the United States at the same time. Rowling earned several awards including a Hugo Award.

Did You Know?

• The working title of the novel was originally Harry Potter and the Doomspell Tournament

• Bloomsbury promoted the book by transforming a train into the Hogwarts Express where J.K. Rowling was a passenger and she signed copies of it at Kings Cross Station

Where Are They Now: Katie Leung

Today, August 8th marks the birthday of Katie Leung. In continuation with how Where Are They Now? series, we thought we'd take a moment to celebrate the talented actress' birthday and highlight her post-Potter career.

She first appeared on-screen in the fourth film Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Leung waited four hours for a five-minute audition, and after answering query if there were any actresses from Scotland, she was invited back for a workshop. Later, she was given the role beating out 3,000 other aspiring actresses.

Her character Cho Chang is a fellow Hogwarts student hailing from the house of Ravenclaw. She becomes an object of affection for the Triwizard Champions Harry Potter and Cedric Diggory in the fourth film. Chang follows her heart's desire and begins to date Diggory.

Though in the book series Chang's development is respectable for a minor role, her on-screen appearances dwindled after the fifth film Order of the Phoenix. Her graceful and kind performance in the films is surely missed. Leung's appearances doesn't return for on-screen credit again until Deathly Hallows Part 2 when Chang joins her peers to stay at Hogwarts battling Voldemort's army.

Since the film franchise ended in 2011, and the actors have ventured forward in their own careers, it's fun to ask where is Katie Leung now?

Almost a year after the tale of Potter's quest, the Scottish native debuted in her first stage play Wild Swans, an autobiographical account of the playwright's family history spanning three generations of Chinese women.

Her career has garnered roles, especially in the television medium such as Father Brown (2014) and One Child (2014). She continues to flex her acting chops on the stage as well performing The World of Extreme Happiness (2013) and The Merchant of Venice (2014). Her work last year earned Leung a prestigious honor winning the BAFTA Breakthrough Brit honour. The title is given in celebration of future U.K. stars in film, television, and video games.

Earlier this year, she joined former co-star Tom Felton to unveil the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey attraction at the Universal Studios theme park in Osaka, Japan. Leung continues to pursue her passion in photography and painting donating her work to auction for The Prince's Trust, as well as attending the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Release Date and Information

Considered to a fan favourite of the adaptations, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban transforms the young wizard's third year at Hogwarts onto the big screen. Leaving his 'family' behind on Privet Drive to return to his beloved boarding school, Harry Potter's informed that a dangerous wizard Sirius Black has escaped from a wizarding prison and intends to kill him.

Director Chris Columbus of the first two movies handed the reigns over to Alfonso Cuaron and took a behind-the-scenes role as producer. The film marks more changes by including more big name actors into key roles such as Michael Gambon taking over as Dumbledore from the late Richard Harris, and adding David Thewlis as Remus Lupin, Emma Thompson as Sybil Trelawney,  and Gary Oldman as Sirius Black to the cast. Even though the new director had not read the books, Cuaron's sharper and grimmer tone earned critical acclaim as Potter's story in the wizarding world becomes wider and more complicated.

One of the most beloved pieces of trivia for the movie deals with the performances of the leads Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grintm which also received praise from critics. Before filming Cuaron encouraged the leads to write an essay about their characters in a first person point-of-view. Radcliffe turned in a one-page summary, Watson doled out 16 pages, and Grint forgot about the assignment.

Prisoner of Azkaban was released on May 31st, 2004 in the United Kingdom and June 4th, 2004, before going worldwide. It grossed $796.7 million worldwide.

Quotes:

Sirius Black: I expect you're tired of hearing this, but you look so like your father. Except your eyes. You have...
Harry: My mother's eyes.

Dumbledore: For in dreams, we enter a world that is entirely our own. Let him swim in the deepest ocean or glide over the highest cloud.

Dumbledore: A child's voice, however honest and true, is meaningless to those who've forgotten how to listen.

Ron: She's gone mental, Hermione has. I mean, not that she wasn't always mental, but now it's out in the open for everyone to see!

Harry: Expecto Patronum!

Professor Snape: Well, well, Lupin. Out for a little walk... in the moonlight, are we?

Ron: Bloody hell!

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Movie Release Date

Following the tragic outcome of the Triwzard Tournament in Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter faces his fifth year at Hogwarts more unsure of his fate and the wizarding world than ever. But the young wizard longs to go back to a place known as home, to his friends, and reunite with his godfather Sirius Black. But the magical boarding school is infiltrated by the Minstry of Magic's Senior Undersecretary Dolores Umbridge who wreaks havoc as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, prompting the teenage wizard to learn more about his fate against Lord Voldemort.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix marks the fifth installment of the series. Its direction changes once again from Mike Hewell to David Yates, who would go on to direct the next four films. New castmembers included a pivotal performance Imelda Staunton as  the love-to-hate antagonist  Dolores Umbridge. The change of directors would be the only major change as the screenwriter Steven Kloves (for the first four movies) stepped out and Michael Goldenberg took his place. The former would return for the next motion picture.

Yates' work on the film made it a commercial and critical success, grossing nearly $940 million dollars total, and was nominated for two BAFTA Film Awards in 2008. The movie received a summer release on July 11th, 2007 in the United States and July 12th in the UK.

Quotes

Dolores Umbridge: Please, tell them I mean no harm.
Harry Potter: Sorry, Professor, but I must not tell lies.

Kingsley Shacklebolt: You may not like him, Minister, but you can't deny: Dumbledore's got style.

Ron Weasley: Hermione, you are honestly the most wonderful person I have ever met. If I'm ever rude to you...
Hermione Granger: I'll know you've gone back to normal.

Harry Potter: Stunning is one of the most important spells in your arsenal. It's sort of a wizard's bread and butter really.

Hermione Granger: He really is out there, isn't he? We've got to be able to defend ourselves. And if Umbridge refuses to teach us how, we need someone who will.

Luna Lovegood: Well if I were You-Know-Who, I'd want you to feel cut off from everyone else. Because if it's just you alone you're not as much of a threat.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Release Date

Original Book Cover artwork by Mary Grand Pre

Following more than five years of penning Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (as originally titled in the UK) in cafes, the world was set ablaze with this series by a then-unknown writer named Joanne Katherine Rowling. The novel was picked up by UK publisher Bloomsbury for roughly 2,000 pounds ($4,000).

At an annual book industry auction in Italy, enormous interest of the novel gained such notoriety that American children's publishing house Scholastic was adamant about buying the rights. Editorial director Arthur A. Levine took a big gamble on a small book with a lot of heart and magic offering $100,000. He won.

As Harry Potter was being published in England, and then the United States, publishers requested that Joanne change her name to J.K. Rowling in fear that her feminine name would detract young male readers. Rowling compromised and her name was changed to J.K. Rowling.

But this wasn't the only name compromise.  The title itself Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was an issue with Scholastic, fearing that readers wouldn't take kindly to the term Philosopher. So the word was thus changed to Sorcerer. The boy who lived had made a huge impact in England in 1997. A year later, the wizarding world arrived across the pond in the United States. Hence, on September 1st, 1998, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone arrived on bookshelves around the country.

The tale that started it all began with an evil powerful wizard Voldemort who tried to kill  parents Lily and James Potter as well as their son, Harry. His spell backfiring left only the baby to survive. Living with his relatives Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia and son Dudley on Privet Drive practically as a second class citizen, baby Harry is 11 years old when he receives a letter from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry discovers he is a wizard, and his first year attending the magical boarding school leads him and us readers into a world of Quidditch games, death day parties, and a perilous adventure for the sorcerer's stone.

Through 1999 and 2000, the first book of Rowling's series stayed on top of NY Times bestsellers list. Rowling earned top prizes for her first major published work. Its success ignited a section for childrens' books in the bestseller's category in media outlets across the world. It also ignited intense backlash from religious groups citing that the series was sparking the use of witchcraft in children.

Neverthless the beginning of the phenomenon and certainly when the series reached its end several years later, Professor McGonagall's declaration came true: there isn't a person in the world who doesn't know Harry Potter.

Where Are They Now: Evanna Lynch

The Harry Potter series touched millions of readers lives around the world. One deep admirer of the characters and author JK Rowling is Irish actress Evanna Lynch, born August 16th, 1991.

At 11 years old, a young girl suffering from anorexia found refuge with the series while going through a recovery program.

Hospitalized at the time and disappointed she might miss the release of the fifth book, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Lynch was temporarily released the morning of the book launch to retrieve a copy. Sending letters to the prestigious author was a way of effectively sharing her mind about the series and how much she loved the characters. Lynch showed up at the local book store, dressed in Harry Potter garb; a lightning bolt on her forehead, wearing replica glasses, painted nail polish, and surprisingly retrieved a hand-signed copy of the book.

Rowling aiding as a counselor replied to Lynch's letters, saying that an eating disorder was "destructive, not creative" and that if she continued forward with recovery, one day she could try out for a role in the films.

In 2006, Lynch's father took Lynch from Ireland to London to audition for an outspoken and quirky Hogwarts student named Luna Lovegood. Out of the 15,000 girls that auditioned, Lynch was screen tested against Daniel Radcliffe and was chosen for the role. At age 14, Lynch made the dream of so many fans a reality and was cast as a character.

On-screen, Lynch added a sweetness to the role of the Ravenclaw student that wasn't often found within the books. Critics praised her spellbinding performance, which topped to the acclaim by producer David Heyman and JK Rowling. "The others could play Luna; Evanna Lynch is Luna." So much so in adoration of the character, Lynch created the accessories for the character such as the famous radish earrings.

Lynch appeared in the Harry Potter films: Order of the Phoenix, Half-Blood Prince, Deathly Hallows Part 1 and Deathly Hallows Part 2. Since the series ending Lynch continues to support the fandom and series at conventions attending such events as LeakyCon and had made appearances in parody series, A Very Potter Senior Year.

Talented, witty, artistic, and very much like Luna, inhibiting a personality all of her own, Lynch has gone on to star in both stage and television productions - continuing her great work as an actress. Just as Luna Lovegood has served an inspiration to countless fans and Evanna Lynch herself, Lynch has undoubtedly served as an inspiration of strength as well.

11 Fun Facts:

• Michael Jackson, Regina Spektor, and Ella Fitzgerald are some of her favorite musicians
• She was given a necklace with a hare and moon pendant by J.K. Rowling.
• Is well versed in French and Gaelic
• Loves street dancing and jazz
• A major cat lover, she's named them after Harry Potter characters such as Luna, Dumbledore, and Crookshanks
• Dumbledore's quotes were once painted on her bedroom wall
• Created the dance moves for the wedding scene in Deathly Hallows Part 1
• Her favorite prop of Luna's was the lion hat she wears in Half Blood Prince
• She used to make her own versions of Quibblers with puzzles to do
• Was asked to help design the Luna Lovegood house in Deathly Hallows Part 1 but declined because she was attending school at the time
• Enjoys films directed by Tim Burton
• Once "cosplayed" as The Hunger Games main character, Katniss Everdeen

Official New Covers for Harry Potter series by Kazu Kibushi Are Unveiled

During Summer 2013, Scholastic in collaboration with award-winning artist illustrator Kazu Kibushi released new covers for the Harry Potter book series books one through six.

Officially on July 31st, 2013 the final cover for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was released with a throng of devoted Harry Potter fans, Kazu Kibushi in New York City at Scholastic headquarters. The honor of Kibushi's work follows that of Mary Grand Pre, who illustrated the original covers.

Below is the collection for all of the newest covers which will be released on August 27th, 2013 on new trade paperbacks and box sets. For official media information and event photos, please check out Scholastic's Harry Potter Media Room. What are your thoughts on the new covers?

The book set also unveiled today shows that when set together the spines of Kibushi's paperback books create a stunning, illuminated silhouette of Hogwarts.

Wizarding World of Harry Potter Opening Anniversary

Millions of fans waited with excitement when the Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened at Universal Orlando Resort. On June 18th, 2010, today marks the 3 year anniversary of the first official Harry Potter themed amusement park.

Cast members of the film franchise such as Daniel Radcliffe, Michael Gambon, Bonnie Wright, Oliver and James Phelps, Tom Felton, and Rupert Grint were on hand to open the official magical world at Islands of Adventure.

Wizards and witches from all over the globe have come to Hogwarts in Orlando. It was here first that guests enjoyed J.K. Rowling approved Butterbeer, a ride on the Forbidden Journey with Harry Potter, and visited Ollivanders to let the wand choose them.

Its expected that many more happy magical folk will be on its way to Universal Orlando Resort with the expansion of Diagon Alley and Kings Cross Station. Since this wonderful day in wizarding history, theme park openings of wizarding worlds in California and Japan have been announced and no doubt will see just as much as success.

Have you visited Wizarding World of Harry Potter?

What was your favorite attraction?

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Book Release Date and Information

Most young adult series find a means to their ending and reader's anticipation towards the release a third novel. Most movies suffer the wrath of uninterested audiences in a threequel. Not so with Harry Potter - the books were essentially just beginning.

In the main character's third journey, Potter is venturing once more to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The threat he faces this year comes in the form of an escaped prisoner Sirius Black who through the grapevine is coming after the young Gryffindor student. Alongside his friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, Potter tries to keep his head above water in his new school while the lurking danger of Black's search for the young boy grows closer and closer. The third year students of Hogwarts also meet with a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Remus Lupin, who easily captivates his classes' attention.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban was originally released in the United Kingdom by Bloomsbury publishing on July 8th, 1999. United States readers would continue their hero's adventure later in September 1999 published by Scholastic. Among the praise the third novel received, it and JK Rowling was honored with multiple awards including the 1999 Whitbread Children's Book Award, the Bram Stoker Award, and the 2000 Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel.

Did You Know?

• JK Rowling found the third novel much easier to write, which only took about a year to accomplish

• Prisoner of Azkaban is often cited as the favorite book among readers

• Ultimate villain Lord Voldemort does not appear once throughout the novel

Wizarding World Highlights in 2012

 Though the series might have ended, this year we still experienced exciting news-worthy moments in the wizarding world. For our last Port Key edition for 2012, here are some of the biggest events that took place.

+ In March Warner Bros. officially opened Leavesden Studios Studio Tour in London. Many of us who weren't able to attend in person watched via webcast.

+ The publishing and reading world around the world buzzed as JK Rowling announced the title of her new book in early March. It was her next big project after five years since the last Harry Pook book was released. Later in July when she revealed the cover her book made news again.

+ JK Rowling also announced plans for a printed encyclopedia of the wizarding world but later retracted the project. Proceeds were to go to selected charities.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Release Date Information

Dark And Difficult Times Lie Ahead.

On November 18th, 2005, the next and fourth installment of the Harry Potter series was released into theaters and across the pond in the U.K.: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

This fourth book is considered the pinnacle novel of the series, where everything turned darker and more gruesome for our hero. Hogwarts is hosting the Twi-Wizard Tournament, where students must be 17 years of age. At 14 years old, somehow Harry Potter is illegally selecteSomehow Potter is illegally selected and entered into the deadly Twi-wizard Tournament. Alongside his competitors, including fellow Hogwarts student Cedric Diggory, Potter must find a way to stay alive.

Introducing to the film were several new characters and actors to the series: Brendan Gleeson as the ex-Auror Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody, David Tennant as Barty Crouch Jr., Miranda Richardson is the face of journalist Rita Skeeter, and Robert Pattinson is Hufflepuff student, Cedric Diggory.

Directed by Mike Newell, Harry Potter and Goblet of Fire takes on the edgier and darker side of the Harry Potter journey. Not only does the fourth movie mark the return of the evil Master of the Dark Arts, Lord Voldemort, but we say goodbye to our first fierce and loyal friend. After Prisoner of Azkaban ranked in the lowest box office for all eight films, this sequel went on to rank third highest after Deathly Hallows Part 1 and Part 2 until profits were readjusted for inflation in October 2012. Though writer Steve Kloves hoped to turn this installment into two parts, this plans were axed resulting in one film which runs for a scary 157 minutes.

Sorcerer's Stone Release Date & Information

The Magic Begins November 16th.
This was just one of several taglines for the first Harry Potter movie. If only we knew how much magic was coming our way on-screen for the next decade!

On November 16th, 2001, in the United States the first feature film adaptation of the Harry Potter series was released into theaters nationwide (on November 4th, in U.K.): Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

Then, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint were unknown children about to embark on a decade-plus career as Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley. Other characters we loved were also brought to life: Maggie Smith as Professor McGonagall, Alan Rickman as Severus Snape, Tom Felton as Draco Malfoy, and Richard Harris as Albeus Dumbledore.

Directed by Christopher Columbus, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone took us on the memorable journey to JK Rowling's wizarding world. From the beginning when Dumbledore places baby Harry on the doorstep of the Dursley's household, to the end when Potter feels like he knows where to call home, we watched the first novel adapt from page to screen. What would become a mainstay throughout the series, John Williams composed the themes which would be built upon with the rest of the series' films. Especially the most popular and heartwarming song, Hedwig's Theme.

Chamber of Secrets Release Date and Information

The Chamber of Secrets has opened...

One year after Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone was unleashed into theaters worldwide, the sequel was ready for its released in the United States on November 15th, 2002.

In the second novel of the series, Harry Potter and his friends have returned to Hogwarts despite one beloved elf's warnings of danger. Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint would return as our much-loved golden trio, as well as our other favorite actors and characters.

From the second book of JK Rowling's series, Harry Potter has been warned by a friendly elf Dobby not to return to Hogwarts. Potter does so anyways, and together with Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, the trio investigate what is the Chamber of Secrets. When multiple students like Granger and Colin Creevey are petrified, Potter and Weasley continue to search for the answers. With it, they uncover some disturbing information aboutWeasley's little sister Ginny, Lord Voldemort, and his connection to the underground chamber.

Picking up where he left off with the first film, director Christopher Columbus once again directed the film bringing out the edger, suspenseful tale. This movie add some new faces to the characters we loved from the books. Chris Coulson was cast as the teenage version of Lord Voldemort, also known as Tom Marvolo Riddle, Shirley Henderson as Moaning Myrtle, Kenneth Branagh as Gilderoy Lockhart, and Jason Isaacs as Lucius Malfoy.

At the box office, Chamber of Secrets made $88,357,488 on its opening weekend only $1,937,133 dollars short of the first film's release! With the third novel released and the threequel adaptation to begin, the film series would start getting a little dark with different styles, directors, and more interesting cast mates.

Quotes:

Ron: Why spiders? Why couldn't it be "follow the butterflies"?

Harry: Not to be rude or anything, but this isn't a great time for me to have a house elf in my bedroom.

Dumbledore: It is not our abilities that show what we truly are. It is our choices.

Neville Longbottom: Why is it always me?

Draco Malfoy: "Enemies of the Heir Beware"? You'll be next, mudbloods.

Harry: Wish you were here, Hermione. We need you. Now more than ever.

Arthur Weasley: Now, Harry you must know all about Muggles, tell me, what exactly is the function of a rubber duck?


Did you know? find more trivia here

• Shirley Henderson, who played Moaning Myrtle, is the oldest actress (age 37) to portray a Hogwarts student. 

• Jude Law was deemed too young to play Gilderoy Lockhart. 

• The "Let's just hope Mr. Potter will always be around to save the day" dialogue (see quotes) was improvised by Daniel Radcliffe and Jason Isaacs. 

• According to Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling, Moaning Myrtle was a member of Ravenclaw House.

Harry Potter Cast Announcement Anniversary

As the fourth book of the series had just been released in July 2000, Warner Bros and producers were  on the hunt for their ideal child actors for the first film installment of the series. In late August 2000, the cast for Harry Potter would finally come together.

"The process was very intense," admitted Columbus, "There were times when we felt we would never find an individual who embodied the complex spirit and depth of Harry Potter."  - director Christopher Columbus

As the fourth book of the series had just been released in July 2000, Warner Bros and producers were  on the hunt for their ideal child actors for the first film installment of the series. In late August 2000, the cast for Harry Potter would finally come together.

After an arduous search of thousands and thousands of kids auditioning to play the boy with the lightning scar, and his two loyal friends, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint would become the chosen ones. Daniel had a brief experience as an actor and was spotted by producer David Heyman at a play with his parents. Emma was picked out following a round of auditions being held at her school. And young Rupert, sent the producers a rap video of why he was the perfect Ron.

And, it wasn't too long after that the rest of the cast would begin to shape up: Robbie Coltrane as Hagrid and Maggie Smith as Professor McGonagall, and Alan Rickman as Severus Snape. As each year would result in a following movie to be released, the world press would begin their ten years of interviews and promos. We'd watch the young kids grow into young adults. And, most recently, in the last year, come to see their tenure as our favorite characters end.

I can hardly believe that it's been twelve years since the kids to portray Harry, Ron and Hermione in the first film of the Harry Potter series were chosen. Can you believe it? When I look back on the year 2000, and where I was at the time, just a normal kid in the world having a semi-normal childhood, the Harry Potter child actors would become on-screen megastars.

Thank you, Daniel, Emma and Rupert, you were the chosen ones!

Harry Potter And JK Rowling Birthday Facts

To celebrate Harry Potter and J.K. Rowling's birthday, I thought it'd be fun to use our time-turner and go back to see what was happening the day and year that these two iconic figures were born. What was the number one song on the radio? or movie at the theatres? Check it out!

J.K. Rowling - July 31st 1965

- Lyndon B. Johnson was President of the United States. Harold Wilson was the Prime Minister of England.

- I Can't Get No Satisfaction by The Rolling Stones was the #1 song on the charts on this day. In the UK, Mr. Tambourine Man by Bryds was the #1 song in the U.K. The Beatles hit a top five hit with Help!

- Only three books made it to the top of  the New York Times list for the year: Herzog by Saul Bellow, Up the Down Staircase by Bel Kaufman, and The Source by James Michener.

- The Sound of Music was the #1 movie in the U.S. at the box office during the week of July 25st. It was also the top grossing movie of the year and won the Academy Award for Best Picture.

General events that took place throughout the year:

• Cigarette Ads were banned on British TV
• Prime Ministers of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland met for the first time in 43 years
• Sir Winston Churchill died aged ninety 
• the Beatles film Help! debut in London becoming a major inspiration over the years for revolutionizing the idea of music videos
• Corgi Toys introduced the all-time best-selling model car, James Bond's Aston Martin DB5 from the film Goldfinger
• A blackout hit parts of Canada and U.S. North East
• The Gateway Arch In St. Louis, Missouri, standing at 630-foot-tall is completed
• African Americans are guaranteed the right to vote with the 1965 Voting Rights Act becoming law
• the popular soap opera "Days of Our Lives" debuted on NBC

Harry Potter - July 31st 1980

- Jimmy Carter was the President of the United States. Margaret Thatcher was the Prime Minister of England.

- The number 1 song in the U.S. charts on his birthday was Magic by Olivia Newton-John. Use It Up and Wear It Out by Odyssey was #1 in the U.K.

- Caddyshack was the reigning movie at the box office the week of July 27th in the United States.

- The most popular books on the NYT Bestseller's list for the year included Jailbird by Kurt Vonnegut and The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum. The latter was later adapted into films featuring Matt Damon.

General events that took place throughout the year:

• Soviet Viktor Gorbatko and Pham Tuân were the first Asian and first Vietnamese, respsectively, cosmonauts to orbit in space aboard the Soyuz 37
• Mount St. Helen in Washington, United States erupted in early Spring
• The Rubik Cube debuted at a toy fair in London
• 23,500,000 viewers tuned in for the ITV showing of the James Bond film Live and Let Die (1973), becoming the British record for a TV audience
• The war between Iran and Iraq began in September
• The U.S. defeated the Soviet Union in ice hockey in what was labeled the "Miracle on Ice"
• Post-It Notes were officially released into stores
• In June, CNN launched becoming the first 24/7 news service in television history
• U.S.S.R. performs nuclear Test at Semipalitinsk, Eastern Kazakhstan U.S.S.R.

Happy Birthday Harry Potter

After Lord Voldemort murdered Harry's parents, orphaned infant Harry Potter was taken to his aunt and uncle - the reprehensible Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon by headmaster Albus Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, and Hagrid. Treated less than a equal, the little boy was forced to live in a cupboard under the stairs until one fateful day - his 11th birthday - he received an acceptance letter from the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

During a visit from the schools' groundskeeper, Hagrid, Harry discovered he was indeed a wizard. Life forever changed for Harry and millions of readers around the globe, as Harry's life was turned upside down. Known as The Boy Who Lived, Harry discovered fame in the wizarding world, and with that, the knowledge that he was the one who brought down the evil You-Know-Who.

"I can't be a wizard. I'm Harry - just Harry!"

On his train ride to Hogwarts meeting lifelong friends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, Harry took us on a wild decade adventure. Alongside the golden trio, through seven books, we loved, laughed, cried, and fought valiantly against the re-emergence of Voldemort and his followers.

In the film series, Harry Potter was portrayed by Actor Daniel Radcliffe (pictured above), whose career gained tremendous momentum. Following the film installments conclusion, Daniel has gone on to make other films such as The Woman in Black and continue his Broadway career.

On this day, July 31st 1980, our boy with the lightning scar was born - and so we toast, the boy who lived!

Happy Birthday Harry Potter!

What are some of your favorite Harry Potter moments?