J.K. Rowling is only one of the 13 authors and illustrators that Waterstone’s Booksellers tapped to help raise funds for a British writer’s association and dyslexia charity. Rowling’s contribution is a hand-written Harry Potter prequel outline.
Potterverse update
The Hollywood Reporter reports that it’s tough to say how the whole Harry Potter Lexicon case will go because fair use is complicated. No, really?
The U.S. news program 20/20 will air a special featuring a behind-the-scenes look at the life of J.K. Rowling in November.
Daniel Radcliffe is seeking a mysterious Aussie who caught his eye at a film event Down Under. Shockingly, there seems to be no shortage of mystery women. He claims it was all a joke.
Speaking of Radcliffe, his latest film My Boy Jack aired on PBS’ Masterpiece last weekend. Yes, it might have been more convenient if we told you about this before it aired, but it will probably be repeated throughout the week. In this article, Radcliffe and co-star Kim Cattrall (also known as Samantha on Sex and the City) discuss growing up, Harry Potter and, you guessed it, sex (in the city, anyway).
The Harry Potter Lexicon trial, Day 3
You know the deal, but here are the highlights: USA Today’s overview… The judge (who found the books to be ‘extremely complex’?!?) urged settlement! Legal analysis from fandom lawyers! Protests! Rampant snark!
And could Steve Vander Ark’s haircut be any more inappropriate for a 50-year-old?
The Harry Potter Lexicon trial continues
It’s day two for the case and press coverage hasn’t abated at all, so off to Fandom Wank with you. (Must-reads for today: SVA cries, blames publisher and legal analysis by Praetorianguard.)
The Harry Potter Lexicon goes to court
There’s so much going on with this that I’m just going to point you towards Cleolinda’s post on Fandom Wank.
If you don’t want to delve straight into the snark, check out the articles from the Associated Press, The New York Times, Bloomberg, and CNN.
Potter, Potter, and more Potter
Amazon.com is hosting a writing contest in which the winner will get a trip to London and the chance to read a handwritten and illustrated copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard. Don’t delay. The deadline to enter is April 22.
Equus, featuring a naked Harry Potter (OK, Daniel Radcliffe), will begin previews on Broadway in New York on September 5. Opening night is September 25.
And, finally, German Potter fans will apparently be treated to a line of “Halbblut Prinz” yarn for socks and sweaters. If my German is right, it will be available in September and will sell for about 10 Euros a ball.
Who forgot the evil overlords?
Entertainment Weekly posted 20 villains they missed last time – prompted by reader letters – and this time the Galaxy Far Far Away’s most unapologetic baddie, Palpatine, gets his day in the sun.
Also making a belated showing: Christopher Lee as Saruman, Office Space’s Bill Lumbergh and, of course, Voldemort.
First photo from Half-Blood Prince adaption
According to MTV, the Daily Prophet (??) headline is “More Disappearances At Ministry Of Magic.”
Deathly Hallows two films; Yates to direct
The Los Angeles Times is reporting that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will be split into two films to be released in November 2010 and May 2011 respectively. David Yates is to direct both films and Steve Kloves will write the scripts.
Woot!
Movie News: Indy IV, Wolverine, X-Files
- Indy IV: Shia LaBeouf confirms what everyone who say the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull trailer already kinda figured.
- Wolverine: Another Lord of the Rings alumni joins the X-men movieverse: Dominic Monaghan.
- X-Files: Mitch Pileggi returning as Skinner.
- Star Trek: Anton Yelchi talks Chekov.
- Harry Potter: Half-Blood Prince adds a scene that’s not in the book. Well, not in HBP, anyway.
- The Hobbit: Elijah Wood endorses Guillermo del Toro.