The Moviefone Blog

Emma Watson Reteams With Warner Bros. for 'Game of Thrones'-esque Trilogy

Drew Taylor — 2013-06-14T13:45:00+00:00

Emma Watson, who plays a hilariously deranged version of herself in this weekend's wonderfully weird "This is the End" and a superficial kleptomaniac in Sofia Coppola's "The Bling Ring" (also this weekend), is reteaming with her "Harry Potter" collaborators, producer David Heyman and studio Warner Bros., for what's being described as a "Game of Thrones"-esque fantasy trilogy. Seven hells!

The project is called "The Queen of the Tearling" and is based on an upcoming fantasy trilogy by Erika Johansen (the first book will be published sometime next year). Johansen said that the trilogy's 19-year-old female lead was inspired, in part, by a speech she heard Barack Obama give in 2007.

A writer and director are currently being sought by the studio, so this is very much in the early stages, but Warner Bros. has wrapped up the exclusive rights to the book and will distribute the films. The report describes the book as being set "three centuries after an environmental catastrophe when a malevolent Red Queen holds considerable power." So this series is set in the dark ages and is also post-apocalyptic? Sounds good!

Watson can soon be seen in Darren Aronofsky's biblical epic "Noah," alongside Russell Crowe, and has an adaptation of "Beauty and the Beast," which Guillermo del Toro is overseeing (and could potentially direct), coming soon too. Pretty soon she's going to need a "Harry Potter" Time-Turner just to be able to accomplish all of these projects.

[via Variety]

'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2' Voted Best Fantasy Sequel of All Time

Tim Hayne — 2013-05-28T16:00:00+00:00

Looks like Harry Potter still has plenty of magic left in him.

"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" hasn't been in theaters for almost two years, but it's still on the minds of fans, who came out in full-force to vote the Harry Potter franchise finale as the the all-time best sequel in the fantasy genre -- delivering a mighty, final-round blow to "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" -- in the first month of Moviefone's Summer Sequel Smackdown 2013.

During the fantasy genre bracket, which ran from April 29 through May 27, fantasy genre enthusiasts logged a total of more than 300,000 votes, coming back week after week to make sure their top pick moved on to the next round. Over the course of those four weeks, fans' votes cut 16 movies down to eight, then to four, then to the final two, "Lord of the Rings: Return of the King" and "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2."

Congratulations, Harry Potter fans! "Deathly Hallows: Part 2" is the reigning fantasy champ.

Special thanks to the following sites for championing their movies:

Mugglenet.com (on Facebook) NarniaFans.com (on Facebook) MyMiddleEarth.com (on Facebook) TwilightLexicon.com (on Facebook)

Are you more of an action fan? Moviefone's Summer Sequel Smackdown 2013 continues with the action genre: Vote now!

Moviefone's Summer Sequel Smackdown: Defending the Deathly Hallows, Part 2

MuggleNet.com — 2013-05-24T15:39:00+00:00

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Potterheads, occasionally we call on you to rise up and do something great for the Harry Potter fandom. Today is one of those days.

The epic conclusions of both the Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings movie franchises (after trumping Twilight and Narnia most easily) are going head to head in Moviefone's Summer Sequel Smackdown.

And we need your help to make sure the right fandom brings the smackdown.

As fans ourselves of both, we know it is unfair to make you choose -- but we have elected to make you do it anyway! As both of these films (Deathly Hallows, Part 2 and Return of the King) are epic cinematic masterpieces, to judge them based on special effects, direction, acting, or even the sheer amount of Academy Awards is one way to assess these films and come to a logical decision as far as your vote today.

Logic would make sense... if fan-hood were logical that is! To be a fan of something is so much more -- you feel it -- and the kind of fanatical attachment you develop allows you to connect with other people around the world who feel similarly.

At the end of the day, how did each of these movies make you feel? While Harry, Ron and Hermione had their adventures on screen a whole generation of kids (myself included) felt like we were growing and attending Hogwarts with them. That sort of connection between audience and film in the Harry Potter fandom speaks to a particular kind of magic which I would argue Lord of the Rings simply does not match.

Then again, Lord of the Rings comes from a different generation of storytelling that doesn't include you and engage you the way Harry Potter movies do. So because of this we believe Harry Potter should win in the "fantasy" category of the Summer Sequel Smackdown -- not because it presents a better fantasy, not even because it's a better fantasy flick, but because each film was made in such a way that the "fantasy" became real for so many simultaneously.

That's pretty magical. Make Dumbledore proud and vote for Harry today!

Sequel Smackdown: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King VS. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 (VOTE NOW)

Baz Luhrmann Passed on Directing 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone'

Katie Roberts — 2013-05-24T15:27:00+00:00

While promoting his latest interpretation of a classic work, "The Great Gatsby," director Baz Luhrmann revealed that he once had a chance to adapt an even more lucrative feature: "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone."

During an interview on Britain's "The Graham Norton Show," Luhrmann discussed how after he directed Warner Bros.'s "Romeo + Juliet," the studio approached him with an offer to helm the first "Harry Potter" film. Luhrmann admitted that since he was unfamiliar with Rowling's then fairly new books -- and in the midst of planning his next feature -- he turned down the job.

"The first one came along and they rang me, and while I love the pictures and the books now, then I thought, 'What's that?' And said, 'Well that sounds interesting, but I'm thinking of doing a reinvention of the modern musical,' and that was 'Moulin Rouge,'" Luhrmann said. "So I'm an obvious idiot, because I should have taken 'Harry Potter.'"

Indeed, it's fun to imagine what Luhrmann would have brought to the series. While Chris Columbus -- who directed "Sorcerer's Stone" -- took an overly faithful approach to his interpretation that many critics agreed lacked some luster, Luhrmann no doubt would have pumped his film full of adrenaline. Might he have made Harry, Ron, and Hermione sing and dance? Would his trademark frenetic camera work and penchant for flashy flourishes have lent itself well to the Quidditch and spell-casting?

Whatever approach Luhrmann might have taken, he's no doubt wishing he had some magic of his own to help him go back in time and rethink his decision. While "Moulin Rouge" helped usher in a new age of Hollywood musicals, it made just over $179 million at the worldwide box office, compared to the $7 billion total of the eight "Potter" films.

[via Digital Spy h/t CinemaBlend]

EARLIER: Defending the Harry Potter Sequels

Moviefone's Summer Sequel Smackdown: Defending the Harry Potter Sequels

MuggleNet.com — 2013-05-17T17:18:00+00:00

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As we move to the final semi-final match up in this Summer Sequel Smackdown it is great to see that Potter's one true rival -- The Lord of the Rings -- has reigned supreme over the other fandoms. It goes without saying that both franchises have produced spectacular films, so we are not surprised that they come head to head in this final Moviefone bout.

With that said, we still think Harry Potter should win.

First let's start with the race between Deathly Hallows - Part 2 and Lord of the Rings: Two Towers. Is this even a fair contest? Why, yes! The last epic installment in the Potter series as well as the second in the Lord of the Rings trilogy scored exactly 96 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. In terms of epic battles Deathly Hallows - Part 2 most certainly exceeded expectations, and showed a more diverse array of action and characters than the final battle in Two Towers, which depicted mass computer-generated armies which come off as much faker than the battle at Hogwarts. It's true that special effects had come a long way in the nine or so years between the making of these movies, and because of this Harry Potter truly comes out on top.

Sequel Smackdown: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers VS. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 (VOTE NOW)

Then there's the second race between Prisoner of Azkaban and Lord of the Rings: Return of the King. This is a tough one, but it makes sense that the final film in the trilogy should face what is quite possibly the greatest Harry Potter film of all time. Alfonso Cuaron, director of the epic Children of Men, is celebrated worldwide for his direction of Prisoner, which arguably is the most creative of its counterparts depicting some of the most magical scene switches and camera angles in the series. And who can forget the scene where the Whomping Willow squishes the bird? -- Classic!

At the end of the day both of these book series movie adaptations are superb. A voter needs to go with their favorites and we have clearly defined ours. Which are yours?

Sequel Smackdown: The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King VS. Harry Potter and the Prison of Azkaban (VOTE NOW)

Moviefone's Summer Sequel Smackdown: Defending the Narnia Sequels

Paul Martin — 2013-05-02T20:42:00+00:00

Why Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian Is Better Than Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban There are many reasons why Caspian is a better sequel than Azkaban, and three of those are Dinklage, Balin and Neeson. Where else are you going to find Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones), Ken Stott (Balin, The Hobbit trilogy) and Liam Neeson (Taken, Star Wars) sharing screen time together in the same film? That's not to mention the rest of the returning cast: Georgie Henley (Lucy), Anna Popplewell (Susan), William Moseley (Peter) and Skandar Keynes (Edmund). Warwick Davis (Star Wars) and Ben Barnes (Prince Caspian) also join the cast. The film was written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely (Captain America one and two, Pain and Gain).

And with a cast like that, what about the story? Well, for one thing, it doesn't feature the inclusion of an item that, if used correctly, could have brought an end to even the creation of the primary villain, thus ending the entire story in only three books. The time-turner anyone?

I must also mention the battle at the end of Prince Caspian, which is as epic as it is dynamic. Plus, the trees come to life to help out, in much the same way as author C.S. Lewis's friend J.R.R. Tolkien has them do in his Lord of the Rings. This film is a fantasy variation of Hamlet, with incredible action sequences, and a warrior mouse called Reepicheep (voiced in this film by Eddie Izzard). hat more could you want?

Why Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader is Better Than Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

When it comes to great sequels, having a story that makes sense is important. As the end of the saga, Deathly Hallows Part 2 couldn't deliver the goods. Where were the other schools that played in the Tri-Wizard Tournament when old Voldy was on the hunt? Remember, we're talking about a movie here, not a book.

In Dawn Treader, we have a trump card, however. A man who captured the imaginations and hearts of all of us in Star Trek and will again in Star Trek: Into Darkness. A big time fan of Star Wars. One of the writers of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. Yes, friends, I speak of none other than Simon Pegg. The new voice of Reepicheep, the warrior mouse, whose performance brought tears to the eyes of Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth, at the Royal Premiere of the film in 2010.

Plus, we could all enjoy the marvelous discovery of Will Poulter as the Pevensie children's cousin: Eustace Clarence Scrubb. A boy who almost deserved his name, and is turned into a dragon. The film also featured Australian star Gary Sweet and the return of Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, Ben Barnes and Liam Neeson. (With cameos from Anna Popplewell and William Moseley, to boot!)

An amazing Dragon ship and a battle with a giant sea serpent, plus a fun and lighthearted journey that makes you happy for having been on it, it was a fitting finale for the Pevensies as the world awaits a big screen return to Narnia.

Vote for the 'Narnia' sequels in Moviefone's Summer Sequel Smackdown!

LEGO Hogwarts: Mom Builds Ultimate 400,000-Piece Set From 'Harry Potter'

Kelly Woo — 2013-03-12T15:32:00+00:00

Accio LEGO ... well, Accio 400,00 LEGOs!

In an amazing feat, Alice Finch, a Seattle mom of two, created a painstakingly detailed replica of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from the "Harry Potter" books and movies entirely out of LEGOs.

She unveiled the structure at BrickCon last October, but photos only recently became available. The gigantic piece, measuring 13 feet on one side, took Finch a year to build. Her Hogwarts features intricate rooms like the Great Hall, the Gryffindor common room, Dumbledore's office, Hagrid's cottage, and the Chamber of Secrets. Finch estimated the number of Legos at about 400,000 but didn't keep tabs on the cost, she told the Brick Brothers.

Finch was inspired by her two sons, who liked to play with Legos. "After a while, I realized that I really wanted to build too. I haven't built since I was a kid and once I started building again, it occurred to me that building with my son had important implications," she said, adding "I was showing him that moms can be pretty darn good at putting bricks together too.

A lot of research went into the construction, Finch said, though she had to choose between the books and movies sometime.

"For example, in the book, the Gryffindor common room is over by the hospital wing as a corner tower, but the tower with the four corner turrets from the movies was visually more important than relative location, so I put it in its own tower like the set," she noted.

For now, the replica will stay at her home for her sons to enjoy and play with. "My older son has read the books and has enjoyed playing various adventures all over the castle," she explained.

You can check out a few of the photos below. Head over to Flickr to see the entire set.

[via Brick Brothers and Flickr h/t BuzzFeed]

Daniel Radcliffe in 'Frankenstein': 'Harry Potter' Star Lines Up Igor Role

Moviefone Staff — 2013-03-01T10:15:00+00:00

It's alive!

Fresh off his opening song-and-dance number at this year's Oscars, Daniel Radcliffe is now in final talks to star in Fox's "Frankenstein," as the assistant, Igor. The film, based on Mary Shelley's classic novel, will be directed by "Lucky Number Slevin" helmer Paul McGuigan.

Radcliffe recently made headlines for his very un-"Potter"-like role in the Sundance hit "Kill Your Darlings," as iconic beat poet Allen Ginsberg. Prior to that, he starred in the period-horror piece, "The Woman in Black." Later this year, he will appear in "Horns," a fantasy film from director Alexandre Aja.

Radcliffe has also been busy off-screen, starring on Broadway in the musical "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying," and in London's West End play "Cripple of Inishmaan."

[via Variety]

Gallery | Daniel Radcliffe on the Red Carpet

Daniel Radcliffe
Actor Daniel Radcliffe arrives at the 85th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)
US-OSCARS-ARRIVALS
Actor Daniel Radcliffe arrives on the red carpet for the 85th Annual Academy Awards on February 24, 2013 in Hollywood, California. AFP PHOTO/VALERIE MACON (Photo credit should read VALERIE MACON/AFP/Getty Images)
85th Annual Academy Awards - Show
HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 24: Actor Daniel Radcliffe and actress Kristen Stewart present onstage during the Oscars held at the Dolby Theatre on February 24, 2013 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
In this Jan. 6, 2012 photo, actor Daniel Radcliffe poses for a portrait in New York. Radcliffe stars in the upcoming film "The Woman In Black." (AP Photo/Carlo Allegri)
Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint
Cast members, from left, Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint pose together at the premiere of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" at Avery Fisher Hall on Monday, July 11, 2011 in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)
6th Annual Women In Film Pre-Oscar Party hosted by Perrier Jouet, MAC Cosmetics and MaxMara - Red Carpet
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 22: Actor Daniel Radcliffe attends the 6th Annual Women In Film Pre-Oscar Party hosted by Perrier Jouet, MAC Cosmetics and MaxMara at Fig & Olive on February 22, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for WIF)
Stella Artois, Flaunt Magazine And The Panama Film Commission Present "Kill Your Darlings" Film Dinner Hosted By Jack Huston And Rose Ganguzza At Village At The Lift - 2013 Park City
PARK CITY, UT - JANUARY 20: Actor Daniel Radcliffe attends Stella Artois press dinner for the film 'Kill Your Darlings' at Village at the Lift on January 20, 2013 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for Stella Artois)
"Kill Your Darlings" Portraits - 2013 Sundance Film Festival
PARK CITY, UT - JANUARY 18: Actor Daniel Radcliffe poses for a portrait during the 2013 Sundance Film Festival at the Getty Images Portrait Studio at Village at the Lift on January 18, 2013 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)
2013 Film Independent Spirit Awards - Arrivals
SANTA MONICA, CA - FEBRUARY 23: Actor Daniel Radcliffe attends the 2013 Film Independent Spirit Awards at Santa Monica Beach on February 23, 2013 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
2013 Film Independent Spirit Awards - Arrivals
SANTA MONICA, CA - FEBRUARY 23: Actor Daniel Radcliffe attends the 2013 Film Independent Spirit Awards at Santa Monica Beach on February 23, 2013 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
2013 Film Independent Spirit Awards - Show
SANTA MONICA, CA - FEBRUARY 23: Actors Daniel Radcliffe and Ellen Page speak onstage during the 2013 Film Independent Spirit Awards at Santa Monica Beach on February 23, 2013 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

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'Harry Potter Wizard's Collection' Giveaway: Win The Entire Box Set

Eric Larnick — 2012-09-13T09:51:00+00:00

Potterheads are going crazy for the just-released "Harry Potter Wizard's Collection." This new home-entertainment set features 31 (yeah that's right, thirty-one) discs, including eighteen for the movies alone. You'll get DVD, Blu-ray and Ultraviolet Digital copies of all eight films, plus extended editions for "Sorcerer's Stone" and "The Chamber of Secrets," as well as 2D and 3D versions of "Deathly Hallows, Part 1" & "Part 2." And, on top of all that, the Wizard's Collection comes with 13 special feature discs, highlighting hours of never-before-seen footage from the making of the entire "Potter" saga, documenting the incredible decade-long adventure of the cast and crew.

Sounds like an awesome collection that's worth saving up for, right? Well Moviefone decided to cut out all those middle steps and reward one lucky fan with the entire collection -- for FREE!

To win, all you have to do is watch the exclusive video at the top of this post, detailing Daniel's insecurities around a certain co-star. Then leave a comment telling us the name of that actor, who would inspire Daniel Radcliffe to pursue acting seriously. Good luck!

Official Rules Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, including the District of Columbia, who are 18 and older.

The comment must be left before THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 at 3:00PM EST.

You may enter ONCE.

ONE winner will be selected in a random drawing.

The winner will receive a copy of the "Harry Potter Wizard's Collection" on DVD | Blu-ray | 3D Blu-ray (valued at $344.99).

Click Here for complete rules.

Why Robert Pattinson Has Staying Power

2012-06-07T14:43:00+00:00

Robert Pattinson clearly isn't just another flavor of the week. He may be a teen idol, but it's looking increasingly less likely that he's going to fade into obscurity like the many hunky actors before him who just couldn't transition into more serious roles.

Just look at his track record. At 26 years old, he's already appeared in two of the highest-grossing movie franchises of the past decade (Twilight and Harry Potter). He's been named one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World by TIME Magazine, and he's even made the prestigious Forbes Celebrity 100 list. And now this week he has two movies coming out on the same day: David Cronenberg's Cosmopolis and the historical drama Bel Ami, co-starring Uma Thurman and Kristin Scott Thomas.

So what makes RPattz different from other heartthrobs? Sure, he has legions of devoted female fans. But so did a lot of hunky actors who are now washed up (cough, cough, Devon Sawa, Luke Perry and Jared Leto, cough, cough).

There's something about Pattinson that's a little bit different. He seems to take his career seriously, and he doesn't appear to be getting sucked up into the fame vacuum. He's not a regular on the young Hollywood party circuit, and at this point it looks as though he's managed to avoid some of the more toxic trappings of fame. We have yet to see mugshots of him splashed across TMZ following a DUI debacle, a la Lindsay Lohan, Amanda Bynes and a number of other young stars.

It probably doesn't hurt that his main squeeze, Kristen Stewart, appears to be equally focused on advancing her career. They can push each other forward instead of serving as mutual distractions.

Still not convinced? Here are five more reasons why P-Patz just might have staying power.

1. He played a sexy vampire, following in the footsteps of some of Hollywood's most enduring stars like Brad Pitt (Interview with the Vampire), Tom Cruise (ditto), Hugh Jackman (Van Helsing) and Kiefer Sutherland (The Lost Boys).

2. Water for Elephants may have tanked at the box office, but he's in good company when it comes to leading men costarring in Reese Witherspoon stinkers: Paul Rudd & Owen Wilson (How Do You Know), Chris Pine & Tom Hardy (This Means War) and Vince Vaughn (Four Christmases).

3. He's starring in a David Cronenberg movie (Cosmopolis), and Cronenberg doesn't work with just anyone. Pattinson is joining an impressive club that includes Viggo Mortensen (A History of Violence), Michael Fassbender (A Dangerous Method), Jeff Goldblum (The Fly), Ralph Fiennes (Spider), Jeremy Irons (Dead Ringers), James Spader (Crash) and James Woods (Videodrome).

4. He's British, and those Brits take their acting seriously. (Want proof? Check out the cast of The Wire, one of the most critically acclaimed series in recent history. Several of the most prominent cast members hail from across the pond. McNulty? Check. [Dominic West, Sheffield.] Stringer Bell? Check. [Idris Elba, London.] Mayor Carcetti? Check. [Aidan Gillen, Dublin.]) Maybe it's something in the water. 5. He's been described as "a bit of a weirdo" (in a good way!) by New Moon director Chris Weitz. This bodes well for his future career. After all, some of Hollywood's most respected actors are a tad eccentric. Think Johnny Depp, John Malkovich and Daniel Day Lewis, to name a few.

'Harry Potter' Movie Spells: See A Super Cut Of Every Single Spell From The Series (VIDEO)

Moviefone Staff — 2012-05-30T09:26:00+00:00

Although the "Harry Potter" franchise has come to a close, Harry, Ron and Hermione continue to bewitch fans to this day.

Through the magic (get it?) of the internet, a diehard "HP" fanatic has made a 17-minute-long mash-up of all the spells cast throughout the series. The video follows our three heroes from their early days as wee wizards -- who can forget little Emma Watson saying "It's Levi-osa not Leviosa!"? -- up until their you-know-who besting battles.

From Ron's screw ups to Hermione's encyclopedic knowledge of "The Standard Book of Spells," take a look at all the incantations and charms from "Harry Potter."

[via BuzzFeed]

'Harry Potter' Tour, Leavesden Studios: How Much It Will Cost You To See Hogwarts

Moviefone Staff — 2012-03-26T12:45:00+00:00

Just because the "Harry Potter" films are over doesn't mean the Hogwarts Express has stopped running.

In addition to the The Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park in Orlando, fans of the beloved series will soon be able to visit the official home of the movie, Leavesden Studios, when it opens on March 31 in England.

Although tours were announced last year, additional details regarding the facility are beginning to make the rounds, including a recent Vanity Fair wrap-up of ticket prices and other merchandise for sale.

Along with the $33 admission price ($44 if you're over the age of 16), fans will have the opportunity to purchase special edition broomsticks ($397), wands ($39), and, if you're so inclined, a replica of Albus Dumbledore's robe ($784!). There's even an $8 audio-visual guide narrated by Tom Felton a.k.a. Draco Malfoy.

You can read more about the tour over on Vanity Fair. Tickets to Leavesden are available here.

[via Vanity Fair]

'Harry Potter' Wizard's Collection: Behind the Scenes With Rupert Grint and Alan Rickman (VIDEO)

Eric Larnick — 2012-03-22T01:00:00+00:00

Just when it seemed like Potter Heads would be relegated to enjoying the cinematic adventures of the Boy Who Lived only through their memories, Warner Bros. announced the "Harry Potter" Wizard's Collection. This new home-entertainment set features 31 (yeah that's right, thirty-one) discs, including eighteen for the movies alone. You'll get DVD, Blu-ray and Ultraviolet Digital copies of all eight films, plus extended editions for "Sorcerer's Stone" and "The Chamber of Secrets," as well as 2D and 3D versions of "Deathly Hallows, Part 1" & "Part 2." And, on top of all that, the Wizard's Collection comes with 13 special feature discs, highlighting hours of never-before-seen footage from the making of the entire Potter saga, documenting the incredible decade-long adventure of the cast and crew.

Moviefone has an exclusive first look at one of the brand new special features on the Wizard's Collection. This new clip from "Creating the World of Harry Potter Part 8: Growing Up" features Rupert Grint and Alan Rickman sharing a memory from the earlier years.

You can own the "Harry Potter" Wizard's Collection on Sept 7.

'The Woman In Black': Daniel Radcliffe Movie Most Successful British Horror Film In History

Moviefone Staff — 2012-02-28T07:43:00+00:00

Harry who? It appears Daniel Radcliffe finally has a movie record to his name that doesn't involve the word "Potter." "The Woman in Black," Dan's first post-wizard movie role, is now the most successful horror film in British history.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the movie has spent three weeks at No. 1 in the U.K., compiling $23.2 million in ticket sales. The top spot previously belonged to the 2001 Nicole Kidman horror flick, "The Others."

While, $23.2 million isn't exactly a lot of money -- especially when you compare it to the $7 billion the "Potter" film franchise has made -- it is an impressive feat for Radcliffe, who's looking to break out of the role he's best known for. That said, when Moviefone spoke to the actor in 2011, he seemed less concerned than everyone else about the success of his first non-"Potter" role.

"[This movie is] important, but it's not the be-all and end-all, that's the thing," said Radcliffe.

In "Black," a young lawyer named Arthur (Radcliffe), travels to a small town to settle the affairs of a recently deceased woman. However, he soon discovers that there is a ghost -- the Woman in Black -- haunting the village. Any time the spirit is seen, a child mysteriously dies. Arthur is soon in the unenviable position of stopping the ghost before she claims another victim.

"The Woman in Black" is in theaters now.

[via THR]

Emma Watson, Guillermo Del Toro Team For 'Beauty And The Beast'

Christopher Rosen — 2012-02-14T07:29:00+00:00

Sometimes it takes Hollywood a little while to catch up with the Internet. Per Variety, Guillermo del Toro is set to direct a new version of "Beauty and the Beast," with "Harry Potter" star Emma Watson in "final negotiations" for the lead role.

Titled "Beast," the film -- which Variety describes as an update on the classic fairy tale -- will be written by Andrew Davies, of "Bridget Jones's Diary" fame. (Fingers crossed Watson says something like this: "Will find nice sensible boyfriend and stop forming romantic attachments to any of the following: beasts, monsters, gargoyles, trolls...")

If all this sounds familiar, that's probably because you remember Watson and Del Toro were reportedly attached to this project back in July, right around the time when "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2" was breaking box-office records. Coming Soon had the first report then, after producer Denise Di Novi spilled the beans during press rounds for "Crazy Stupid Love."

In addition to "Beast," Watson has taken full advantage of being free from the knit sweaters of Hermione Granger. She's leading "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" (out later this year), and may team with "Potter" director David Yates for an adaptation of "Your Voice In My Head," about a suicidal New York woman and the cancer-stricken therapist who saves her life.

[via Variety]

Potted Potter: Creators Dan Clarkson, Jeff Turner Talk 'Harry Potter' Love And Rejecting J.K. Rowling

Matilda Miranda — 2012-02-13T10:39:00+00:00

Dan Clarkson and Jeff Turner travel together, share hotel rooms and dressing rooms. They spend so much time together that Clarkson's girlfriend refers to Turner as Clarkson's second wife. The two are the stars of Potted Potter, an unauthorized play about the "Harry Potter" series. They're inseparable because when they're performing, they are the only two actors on stage. Clarkson even admits that when he performs alone it's almost feels wrong to have a space to the left of him -- where Turner usually stands.

For years they've dazzled crowds in the U.K. as they go through the seven infamous "Potter" books in 70 minutes. Earlier this month the duo stepped on Canadian soil for the first time, hoping to wow Toronto crowds just like they have on the other side of the ocean. Moviefone Canada sat down to talk with Clarkson and Turner just before the North American premiere of Potted Potter on February 14.

You got started when you were hired to entertain the crowd at a London bookstore. How'd you get from there to where you are now? Turner: That went so well. We were expecting 50 people to watch that in the bookshop and we got 900. They really enjoyed it. So we thought we might have found a show there. We decided to extend it and take it to the Edinburgh Festival with a little 65-seat venue. We sold out there as well. Our producer saw it, liked it and came and chatted with us. It's gotten bigger and longer. By the time the seventh book came out, it was an already-successful show and we were like, "'7 Books in 70 Minutes' is a great tagline, but if she brings out an eighth book it doesn't sound as good, does it?" Then the Canadian promoter came out and chatted to us, and both of us were desperate to come to Canada.

Clarkson: And still no one's noticed that it's just two guys messing around. We're not sure how far we can get. We're told that we can get quite far. Were either of you big Harry Potter fans before starting Potted Potter? Clarkson: I was a big "Harry Potter" fan. I always have been. My brother's about 10 years younger than me and I used to read him the books when he was a kid as his bedtime story. When he'd fall asleep, I'd carry on reading the books.

Turner: I wasn't a fan. I hadn't read the books when Dan first came to me to do the show. I resisted them a little bit, because they were really popular and I hadn't caught onto them early on. I was a little bit like, "Nah, I'm sure it's not very good," but then when I read the first book, that was it. I got through all of them.

You two seem to have great chemistry. Clarkson: I'm glad you think there is chemistry. We really hate each other. [Laughs] No, we had mutual friends and a lot of it came from our love for comedy and the same sort of comic influences. That's where we bonded quite quickly. For whatever reason on stage from the first time we ever did something we had people saying "Something works." I think over time you start to be able to read and understand each other. By the end of it, it's almost second nature. I've done some performing on my own and it's almost felt wrong that there's a space to the left of me where Turner's been standing all these years.

Turner: Aw, you see me as a space filler!

Clarkson: Yeah, you fill in the gaps between the laughter. You know that.

In previous interviews you've stressed the importance of family entertainment and the lack of it in today's society. Can you talk a little bit about that? Turner: Certainly in the U.K., there's nothing really on TV like there was when I was a kid. When I was a kid I'd watch "Morecambe and Wise" reruns with my dad. They were huge double acts in the '60s and '70s in the U.K. and they were clean. Now the only things that families sit down and watch are things like "Britain's Got Talent," "X Factor" and "Pop Idol."

Clarkson: I think there was this -- and I'm not sure if it's the same in Canada -- real Saturday evening where the whole family would sit in a group and watch TV and join together. That's becoming less and less now and I think people are going and doing their own thing. With the rise of Facebook and TV on demand, you watch what you want.

Turner: The main thing people say to us after the show -- if a family group comes up -- is: "You know we loved the fact that we all enjoyed the show." Even the sullen faced 15-year-old who didn't want to go because he wanted to hang with his friends liked it.

Clarkson: And you don't enjoy anything at 15. It's a tough year. I think it's great to see with Potted Potter that when we did it last time at The Garrick in London we had a hen party -- or a stag party as it's called here. They were dressed as wizards and witches. Two rows behind them was an eight-year-old's birthday party. They were dressed up as well and they're all laughing along and the stag party was dressed as more risque witches. It was amazing to watch those two very different groups enjoying it.

Do you think the appeal of going there as a family plays a significant role in why you're selling out everywhere? Turner: I genuinely do. I mean, we get a lot of families coming as a group and it's not the easiest thing in the world to find a family activity that everyone likes. We don't want to patronize the children. We don't want to keep the jokes at a low level. We pitch it quite high so the adults love it and the kids get it. The kids like being treated like they know what they know.

Clarkson: In the U.K. it's strange because we've obviously got a very large student base following. You have that group who also dress up. They all seem to start dressing up to our shows, which is brilliant. I just think it's nice to have everybody enjoying that. Their costumes are amazing. We had someone who sat as Dobby in this huge rubber head during the whole show. He just sat there and he must have been sweating. He still kept it on throughout the whole show.

Turner: It's commitment.

Clarkson: Not that we're laying the goal for Toronto that now you'll have to come dressed up.

Turner: I want to see a better Dobby!

How did "Harry Potter" fans react to the show in the beginning? Clarkson: They've always been really responsive and supportive. I think a lot of it comes because we were fans as well. So although the show is very much this unauthorized parody it's very much a loving parody. We're in no way trying to send up the characters. We love them and we're almost looking for more nuances that we can have fun with.

I heard that once J.K. Rowling had made an attempt to come see the show. What happened? Clarkson: It was when we first did the show. We came out and the girl who was working in the box office at the time -- It was only a young girl, about 18 -- was brought before us by the manager. Turns out that Rowling had turned up to try and get a ticket, but the girl hadn't recognized her and said, "I'm afraid we're sold out," and turned her away. Now we never saw her so we don't know if that's fact. I'd love it if she came back so she could just sign my books. We're such huge fans.

Do you know for a fact that Rowling knows your play exists? Turner: We do know that some of her team have seen the show, because obviously they want to make sure we're not doing anything nasty. They've seen it and they liked it. So obviously it's got back to her and we're still doing it. They've been incredibility kind to us because they didn't have to. Clarkson: Plus the subliminal messaging we've been sending her to make sure she knows about it.

Any thoughts on Potted Potter officially premiering in Canada on Valentine's Day? Clarkson: It's a good thing Ron and Hermoine are in love. There's a lot of love on that stage.

For more information or tickets/showtimes, check out the Potted Potter website -- via Mirvish Productions.

Weekend Box Office: Chronicle, The Woman in Black Each Debut to Over $20M; Big Miracle Underwhelms

Moviefone Staff — 2012-02-06T14:46:00+00:00

As I wrote yesterday (HERE), I don't care which of the two big releases end up at number one for this weekend. Chronicle and The Woman In Black are both low-budget over/under $15 million releases that are somewhat abnormal in terms of what's considered a mainstream release, both were exceedingly well-marketed (as opposed to 'saturation marketing'), and both are unqualified hits after their first three days. But since I have to choose which film to discuss first, I will pick Chronicle (review), which A) I've seen and B) is the unofficial #1 film this weekend with $22 million (as opposed to The Woman In Black, which made 'just' $21 million). Chronicle announces the arrival of director Josh Trank (and writer Max Landis, son of John). The quite compelling and thoughtful character study, which plays with the genre trappings of as super-hero origin story through the 'found footage' format, cost just $12 million and drew a large chunk of young audiences of both genders (it played 45% female). I have no idea what the legs will be like on this downbeat morality play (it received a B from Cinemascore), but I'd argue its artistic and box office success pretty much kills Warner Bros's planned live-action Akira remake and hurts Sony's The Amazing Spider-Man (which is advertising itself as a more low-key and emotionally-gritty superhero origin story... whoops). Come what may, a very good and creative little movie just opened very well, and that's a win for everyone.

{C}The Woman In Black also is a winner on several fronts. Its $21 million debut is nearly twice the previous opening weekend record for CBS Films, which acquired the $17 million production for $3 million. The allegedly rock-solid Hammer Horror ghost story (I held off because my wife might want to see it) played mostly to younger females, which may be a sign that Daniel Radcliffe is in fact a box office draw/heartthrob. He has had a history of packing his London stage turns (Equus and How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying) and he killed on Saturday Night Live a couple weeks ago, so it may be the case where the Harry Potter series has turned him into something closer to Harrison Ford than Mark Hamill. Still, the PG-13 horror sub-genre is strong enough, especially with younger women, to put the opening entirely on Radcliffe's shoulders, but it will be very interesting to see how him or any of the other former Potter actors fare as they begin their post-Hogwarts careers (here's Elisabeth Rappe's rundown on what projects each of the major actors - young and old - have lined up next).

The other wide debut was a qualified bust, as Big Miracle opened with just $8.5 million. Universal was surely hoping for something similar to the $20 million+ debut of Dolphin Tale last September, but the jam-packed cast (John Krasinski, Drew Barrymore, Kristen Bell, Dermot Mulroney, Ted Danson, Stephen Root, Tim Blake Nelson, and Rob Riggle) didn't seal the deal. The film cost $40 million, which means that Universal will have to hope for uncommonly strong legs as well as the title becoming a casual family rental choice over the next several years. It played 68 under 25 years old. The major limited release was the four-screen debut of Madonna's directorial debut W.E., which earned just $11,200 per screen. There isn't too much to report in holdover news. The Grey dropped 51%, which actually isn't bad considered how divisive the film's ending turned out to be, but a bit below the 42% drop for Liam Neeson's Unknown last year. The $25 million Liam Neeson action drama now has $34 million, which means it should make it to around $55 million, although it's going to get clobbered next weekend by the Denzel Washington/Ryan Reynolds action picture Safe House. Underworld: Awakenings has $54 million after three weekends, meaning it is neck-and-neck with Underworld: Evolution. Expect Underworld IV to end up slightly out-grossing Underworld II to take the domestic crown for the franchise. But the real story will be overseas business, where Sony is hoping for a 3D boom. With $108 million worldwide thus far, it's just $3 million away from being the top-grossing global hit in the franchise as well.

Katherine Keigl's One For the Money floundered in weekend two, dropping 54% and ending all hope for an ongoing franchise. It has grossed $19 million thus far, meaning it will easily be her lowest-grossing lead role. Man On A Ledge dropped a decent 44%, but it was working off of a $8.5 million debut in the first place. Hence the $40 million thriller has just $14 million in ten days. Red Tails continues to trudge along, with $41 million in the domestic bank. It probably won't make it to $58 million (its budget), but producer George Lucas earns points for trying. In good news for good movies, Mission: Impossible- Ghost Protocol crossed the $600 million worldwide mark, as it slowly makes its way towards Mission: Impossible II's $215 million domestic gross (it's at $205 million stateside). It's already Cruise's biggest worldwide hit ever, and as I wrote a few days ago (HERE), it remains a prime victim of the over-saturation of new releases and the lack of viable second run options. Point being, it's been bleeding theaters even as it remains a potentially popular attraction purely due to the onslaught of new releases.

In Oscar nominee news, Hugo had a tiny drop and powered its way past the $60 million mark. It's still going to be a financial bath (it cost $140 million), but at least some of that Devil Inside money ($53 million on a $1 million budget) won't be in vain. The Artist dropped just 22% and finally crossed the $20 million mark, as did The Iron Lady (which dropped 42%). The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo sits just outside too major benchmarks, as it has $99 million in domestic box office and $199 million worldwide. So yes, it is finally a hit, but it still cost way too much for its various restrictions. War Horse now has $77 million while The Adventures of Tintin crossed $75 million this weekend (the two Spielberg films have, respectively, $112 million and $367 million worldwide). The Descendants has arguably benefited the most from Oscar attention, as the Alexander Payne drama is now at $65 million, or a stone's-throw away from Sideways's $72 million cume. And Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (which, warts and all, is a good movie that I frankly think is better than The Artist or Midnight In Paris) has now matched its $25 million budget.

That's it for this weekend. Join us next weekend for a big 'something for everyone!' weekend. Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds bring the old-school R-rated action with Safe House, Dwayne Johnson replaces Brendan Fraser in Journey 2: The Mysterious Island 3D, Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams do the rom-drama route in The Vow, and George Lucas re-releases Star Wars Episode One: The Phantom Menace in 3D. Yeah, the President's Day holiday is going to be a busy one indeed.

Daniel Radcliffe On 'The Woman In Black' And Saying Goodbye to 'Harry Potter' (VIDEO)

2012-02-02T10:06:00+00:00

It's incredibly difficult to jump from portraying a character so ingrained in society -- like Daniel Radcliffe's Harry Potter -- to a lesser-known character in a non-franchise movie. How does an actor shed that persona when he moves on to more artsy, less mainstream roles?

Daniel Radcliffe stars in "The Woman in Black," a subdued horror-suspense movie which has him playing an adult, a lawyer and -- in perhaps the biggest adjustment of his career -- a father. Several other media outlets had already grilled Radcliffe about what it's like to move on from his huge role, why he chose this particular movie and his alleged "fallout" with "Potter" co-star Rupert Grint.

Instead of treading old ground, Moviefone asked Radcliffe about what it was like to not be Potter onscreen, and why, despite his disbelief in the supernatural, he chose "The Woman in Black" as his follow-up movie. Radcliffe also discussed his thoughts on the Academy Awards, and whether or not he aspires to get a golden statue in his career.

Level-headed and seemingly wise beyond his years, Radcliffe gave Moviefone a few minutes to pick his brain while on a junket in Toronto. Watch the video interview above.

Daniel Radcliffe on 'The Woman in Black' and Harry Potter: 'If I Have Passed My Most Famous Point, I Won't Be Unhappy'

Mike Ryan — 2012-01-30T12:11:00+00:00

Daniel Radcliffe seems content with, as he puts it, the fading "hoopla" that surrounded playing Harry Potter for ten years. "If that steadily decreases for the rest of my life, I'll be kind of cool with that," Radcliffe admitted on the eve of the release "The Woman in Black," his first post-Potter film project. Considering his fame -- primarily fueled from playing Potter in eight separate films -- the 22-year-old actor is surprisingly self-aware.

Radcliffe realizes his current place in movie stardom. He knows that his "cachet" (again, as he puts it) will not last forever, nor do I get the impression that he wants it to last forever. Actually, from the time we spent together, I did get a vibe from Radcliffe that almost cried, "the sooner, the better." Put it this way: when searching for an apt metaphor to describe fame and fortune, Radcliffe compared it to regurgitated steak.

In "The Woman in Black" Radcliffe plays Arthur Kipp, a lawyer who discovers deep, dark secrets in a town inhabited by a seemingly child-killing ghost. An open and honest Radcliffe discussed the importance of his first post-Potter role, why he would not play another character named "Harry," and what he won't miss about the fame that came along with being Harry Potter.

They didn't screen the film for me before this interview. I'm sorry.

I've seen the trailer. In the time we have, you could act out every scene that I've seen five times. That's absolutely true! Yes! And it would be a lot of the same face that's in the trailer.

So you're 22 now, right? Yes.

You do look a little older in "The Woman in Black" than what we're used to seeing. Good.

Is that important to you? Yep.

Why? In the original script he's about 27. I think I could conceivably play 24 or 25 with a little bit of stubble. Also, in all of those clothes, that makes you look slightly older because you hold yourself differently. So, yeah, we were picturing him at about 24 or 25, with a 4-year old son.

Did you read the book? Yes. I've read the book, but I've never seen the play. Weirdly, because I never really was at school -- because the play seems to be like a "school trip" play for everybody I know -- I never went to see it because I was doing "Potter." But I hear it's terrifying -- as it should be.

It would be odd if you said, "I've heard that it's hilarious." [Laughs] Yeah, well that's the thing: the movie is very different than the book and very different than the play. And the book is different than the play. So, you know, we've all taken liberties. The original book is told in the past -- it's flashback from my character as an old man -- and that's not what it is in the film. In the film it all takes place in the present time. It's basically the idea for "The Woman in Black," the village and the tone of the book, and changed details of the story.

What if the main character's first name in this story was Harry instead of Arthur? Maybe that's a stupid question... No, it's not stupid at all.

Would you have asked to have it changed? Yeah, I think I might.

That's interesting. I don't know. I think I might. It would be more of a problem if the character's name was Potter. That would be worse. But, I don't know. Maybe. On "My Boy Jack," they came to me with glasses and I was like, "Whoa, not those ones." But, yes, it's not a stupid question; it's quite an interesting one. Yeah, I think I might have asked for that to be changed. I'm not sure. I don't know how I would have felt about that. But, yeah, there's also another weird "Potter" connection with this: the guy who played my dad in "Potter" played my character in the original TV film of "The Woman in Black." So there's a few little weird "Potter" connections. But, then again, "Potter" is connected to everything. It's no longer even a coincidence. It's just inevitable.

This is your first big film role post-"Potter." How important is this movie to you? It's important, but it's not the be-all and end-all, that's the thing. Like, people keep saying, "Oh, it's Daniel Radciffe's first film post-"Harry Potter," let's see how he does."

I don't even necessarily mean it like that. Do you feel you need to separate yourself from what you're currently known for? Yes. But I think it's a longer... I think to put all of that pressure on one film would be ridiculous. I think, because not everyone is going to see this. A lot of people will, hopefully, but not everyone. And, also, I made peace a long time ago with the fans. There will be people who forever see me as Harry. That's fine as long as they're not controlling a casting racket in L.A., then we'll be fine. For this film, what's great about it and what's kind of perfect is that the part is different: it's older, it's playing a father. There are challenges there; stuff that will physically separate me from Harry in people's minds. But there's also the story is so compelling that after about 10 or 15 minutes of watching the film, you're going to stop thinking about me or what else I've done and just be into the film. Because it's a really brilliant story. So that's why it's kind of perfect as a first film outside of it. Because even though I'm the only "name above the title" kind of thing, once you're in there, it's not about me. It's about the story and the need to know what's going to happen. So, hopefully that will overtake.

Will you miss all the commotion that came with Harry Potter? If I were you, I can't decide if I'd miss it or not. [Pauses] Hm...

Not the people that you worked with... No, no, no... the fame and the circus and the hoopla...

"Hoopla." That's the word I'm looking for. No, I don't miss the hoopla. I don't think, particularly. I'm quite happy. If I have passed my most famous point, I won't be unhappy. Like, that's OK. If, say, around the time of "Potter 7" coming out, my face is all over the world, and all of that stuff is going on at that time and all of that madness -- if that steadily decreases for the rest of my life, I'll be kind of cool with that. I had a good dose of it for 10 years. You know, I'm now content to just make my way and do a lot of films that I find interesting. There is the fight, then, is that in order to keep being able to do interesting little things, you have to do that George Clooney thing of doing a big movie like an "Oceans 11" -- which are still very good movies -- so that you can go off and do "Syriana" or "Good Night and Good Luck," or whatever. So I suppose that's the challenge in the future. For now, I still have "Potter" behind me and people still associate me with this big thing. So, while my name has some cachet, I guess...

It does. It does, for now. But, you know, it won't forever. And, so, while it still does, I've got a chance to make some really interesting films.

So when you look at the hoopla, what part are you most glad is over? Is it so you have time to make different movies? That's the thing...

You had time for stage productions... But not for films. I won't miss having to tell people, "No, I won't be available for another year and a half." I won't miss that. Look, there's always going to be premieres and all of that. That kind of stuff. I won't miss the mania that kind of surrounds it. But it's not like I disliked any of that at the same time. It's one of those things where you go, I don't know -- it's the equivalent of having a really, really good steak. Like, you have it, then it's gone. You don't miss it. You don't go, "Oh, I wish that steak were back here." You go, "Damn, I enjoyed that."

I've missed steak before. OK, but you don't want to regurgitate it and eat it again!

That's fair. But that's the kind of thing I'd say about "Potter." It was like a good steak for 10 years, I enjoyed it, but I wouldn't try and bring it back up.

At one point you were attached to play photographer Dan Eldon. What happened? Yeah, yeah... I was attached to that for a while. We felt that the script changes were needed.

My ex-girlfriend went to high school with him, so it's a project that I've paid attention to. Oh, really? Yeah, it was a great script. And then I read a little more about his life and the script was fantastic, but it wasn't entirely -- reading about Dan, as well as being an inspirational and amazing person, he was also abrasive. And he annoyed a lot of people. He had a knack for pissing people off.

I've heard that. And that wasn't in the script. And I felt that it needed that. So, yeah, that was the reason for that.

Mike Ryan is the senior writer for Moviefone. He has written for Wired Magazine, VanityFair.com, GQ.com, New York Magazine and Movieline. He likes Star Wars a lot. You can contact Mike Ryan directly on Twitter

Daniel Radcliffe: 'I Didn't Expect' 'Harry Potter' To Get An Oscar Nomination

Chris Jancelewicz — 2012-01-27T11:47:00+00:00

Muggles the world over were upset and dismayed by the lack of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2" Best Picture Oscar nomination this year, but it seems the film's star, Daniel Radcliffe, isn't that disappointed.

In Toronto promoting "The Woman In Black," Radcliffe seemed positively zen about the lack of Academy recognition.

"I didn't expect it to be nominated for Best Picture, and no, it doesn't faze us," Radcliffe told Moviefone. "Just because we've been around for a long time, and made a lot of movies, I don't think when you come to the end of that series that anyone's obligated to say you're best picture. Obviously it would have been lovely, but I don't think it's something we're going to be losing sleep over."

Not surprisingly, Radcliffe doesn't really place a lot of weight on the Academy Awards as a whole -- and sits on the fence when it comes to winning one as an individual.

"I have mixed feelings about awards for actors in general," he said. "Obviously it's a lovely thing to be recognized by the public or by your peers, and I'm sure that's a very gratifying thing. But I always have a moment when I watch those big ceremonies... we love to pat ourselves on the back in this industry, and we like to tell ourselves how well we've done and how amazing we are. It's all very self-congratulatory."

As for some British press talk of him winning an Oscar for "Woman In Black"?

"That's very kind, but very insane."

Check out Radcliffe in "The Woman In Black," opening in theaters on Feb. 3. Come on back to Moviefone for our full interview with Radcliffe next week!

Ralph Fiennes Reads Erotic Voldemort Fanfic In His PJs

Sharon Knolle — 2012-01-20T14:47:00+00:00

If there's a downside to being in one of the biggest movie franchises of all time, it's that when you've just directed your first film, based on a Shakespeare play no less, you're still going to be asked about playing the evil Lord Voldemort, as Ralphe Fiennes found out when he appeared on Bravo's "Watch What Happens Live" show.

This wasn't your usual chat about He Who Shall Not Be Named, however, as host Andy Cohen handed a surprisingly game Fiennes a snippet of erotic "Harry Potter" fanfiction to read aloud. In the story, entitled "Broken Innocence," Harry and Voldemort toss aside their wizard wands and well... watch the video, if you dare. (It's brief, but still probably NSFW.) To be fair, if you go on a talk show that asks you to dress in striped pajamas and fuzzy slippers, this kind of thing is bound to happen.

[via EW]

Chloe Moretz, People's Choice Award Winner: Is She the Next Big Thing? (PHOTOS)

Christopher Rosen — 2012-01-12T08:11:00+00:00

When Moviefone asked Chloe Moretz about her chances at winning the People's Choice Award for Favorite Movie Star Under 25, the actress was fairly blunt. "It's like Tom Felton, Daniel Radcliffe. It's Harry Potter against me," she said, leaving out other "Potter" nominees Emma Watson and Rupert Grint. "I'm pretty sure I'm gonna lose to "Harry Potter," but that's OK. I don't mind. At least I got nominated."

About that: in what amounts to a fairly big surprise, fans voted Moretz as their favorite young star at the People's Choice Awards in Los Angeles on Wednesday night.

"Oh my God, I can't even imagine that I'm in the same category as the whole 'Harry Potter' cast, and I won!" Moretz said during her adorable acceptance speech. "That's weird."

Oh Twitter, she was a bit more animated:

Ahh!!! Omg!! Thank u guys SO MUCH for allowing me to WIN!!! :) ahh!!!! #PeoplesChoiceAwards
-- Chloe Grace Moretz (@ChloeGMoretz) January 12, 2012

Between this win, plus her high-profile acting work in films like "Hugo" and the upcoming Tim Burton blockbuster "Dark Shadows" with Johnny Depp, Moretz is likely to be up for this People's Choice Award for years to come -- literally. She turns just 15 on Feb. 10, meaning she'll be under 25 for another ten People's Choice Awards ceremonies. Does this mean she's the biggest young star in Hollywood at the moment? Maybe! Feel free to weigh in with praise for Chloe, or your own favorite young star, below.

PHOTOS:

Gallery | Chloe Moretz Wins At PCAs

See All Moviefone Galleries »

Box Office Slump 2011: Ticket Sales Drop to 16 Year Lows, International Numbers Increase

Christopher Rosen — 2011-12-30T08:50:00+00:00

For Hollywood in 2011, it was the best of times and the worst of times. Internationally, the film business was booming: according to estimates, studios earned $13.53 billion overseas in 2011, an increase of 6 to 8 percent from 2010 and a new all-time record. Unfortunately, that success didn't extend to U.S. shores: ticket sales dropped to 1.28 billion in 2011, the lowest total since 1995. Thank goodness for increased prices and 3D surcharges!

Because of the higher costs, revenue in 2011 will only dip 3.5 percent from where it was in 2010 ($10.2 billion from $10.58 billion), but that still doesn't show an industry in some distress. This will be the seventh straight year that ticket sales have declined since the high of 2003 (that was the year 'Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King,' 'Finding Nemo,' and 'Pirates of the Caribbean' ruled the box office).

According to the Los Angeles Times, total box-office per film dropped some 13 percent in 2011, because -- as research indicates -- people are more inclined to wait for movies to hit DVD and video on-demand services.

"Younger people who are image-conscious don't want to talk about movies that are a week old," said Ben Carlson, president of social media research firm Fizziology to the Times. "If you don't see the movie at that first moment, then the desire to see it begins to fall away."

Of course, the movies themselves could also be blamed. The top seven films at the box office in 2011 -- 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2,' 'Transformers: Dark of the Moon,' 'Breaking Dawn Part 1,' 'The Hangover Part II,' 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,' 'Fast Five' and 'Cars 2' -- were sequels, while 'Thor,' 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes' and 'Captain America' rounded out the list, films which could hardly be called originals. Might U.S. audiences be revolting against unoriginality? Unfortunately, it likely won't matter: with foreign grosses exploding and ticket prices rising, it seems that the domestic moviegoer is of less concern than ever before -- something the 2012 release calendar, chock full of sequels, prequels and reissues, seems to illustrate.

Why didn't you go to the movies this year? What movies will you see with your disposable income in 2012? Let us know in the comments below and take part in our anticipation poll!

What\'s Your Most Anticipated 2012 Movie?
The Hunger Games	2540 (18.7%)
The Dark Knight Rises	2975 (21.9%)
The Avengers	1376 (10.1%)
The Hobbit	2615 (19.2%)
The Amazing Spider-Man	140 (1.0%)
Django Unchained	166 (1.2%)
The Great Gatsby	726 (5.3%)
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2	1869 (13.8%)
Pixar's Brave	169 (1.2%)
Other	1012 (7.4%)

[via LAT, THR]

[Photo: Warner Bros.]

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Christopher Rosen's Favorite Movies of 2011: 'Harry Potter,' 'Midnight in Paris,' 'The Artist' and 'Moneyball'

Christopher Rosen — 2011-12-29T14:00:00+00:00

The end of the year is all about one thing: lists! Ahead, my favorite 11 movies of 2011, from Harry Potter to Billy Beane. Apologies in advance if your fave didn't make the cut!

11. 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2'
The Harry Potter films were invariably disappointing, but both parts of the 'Deathly Hallows' were actually good movies as opposed to live-action book readings. It all ended ... well. Also, R.I.P. Snape.

10. 'Midnight in Paris'
Reasons 'Midnight in Paris' is hella charming: Owen Wilson's non-Woody Allen impersonation (no easy feat; looking at you, Will Ferrell, Kenneth Branagh, Josh Brolin, Scarlett Johansson), everything Corey Stoll says as Ernest Hemingway, Alison Pill's Zelda Fitzgerald, Marion Cotillard. Reasons it's not: Rachel McAdams. Charming wins! Easily one of Woody's lightest and most enjoyable films in a while.

9. 'War Horse'
Be brave. 'War Horse,' Steven Spielberg's latest epic, takes you through an emotional ringer -- and to the brink -- before reminding you that hope can spring forth from the darkest places on Earth. Based on the young adult novel by Michael Morpurgo (and adapted for the screen by Richard Curtis and Lee Hall), 'War Horse' is often as wordless as fellow Best Picture contender 'The Artist.' That's because the film is told from the point of view of Joey the horse -- from his upbringing with the Narracot family (Jeremy Irvine, Peter Mullan and Emily Watson, offering up sturdy, 1950s-era performances) to his first encounters with World War I (don't blink or you'll miss Tom Hiddleston as the kindest soldier ever). Unabashedly schmaltzy, 'War Horse' is a throwback to a time when people put aside their differences for the greater good. In 2011, that idea is quaint; perhaps 'War Horse' can help remind everyone that quaint isn't always bad.

8. 'The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo'
If you needed any proof about the importance of the director in the filmmaking process, cast your gaze toward 'The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,' which David Fincher transforms from a stock thriller into something so much more. Part of that is because of his success with actors. As the titular tattooed female, Rooney Mara becomes an instant star with an iconic performance as Lisbeth Salander. As her cohort, disgraced journalist Mikael Blomkvist, Daniel Craig provides needed stability, while having more fun than he ever seems to in the James Bond films. Thanks to Fincher's expert technique, 'The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo' is the mainstream movie of the year ... for adults. No small task, this one delivers on the hype.

7. 'Warrior'
You probably didn't see 'Warrior,' which is a shame since it was one of 2011's most emotionally satisfying bits of adult drama. The story of two estranged brothers (Joel Edgerton and Tom Hardy) who meet inside the octagon-shaped ring of an ultimate fighting championship -- a log line which certainly provides ample opportunity for schmaltz -- 'Warrior' plays things with a close-to-the-vest honesty that few 2011 releases even attempted. Edgerton and Hardy are outstanding as two sides of the same coin, while Nick Nolte, as their alcoholic and formerly abusive father, steals his scenes with the gusto of a guy gunning for an Oscar nomination. In a just world, Nolte, Hardy and writer/director Gavin O'Connor would get some Academy recognition for 'Warrior'; unfortunately, as 'Warrior' proves in both content and reception, the world isn't always just.

6. '50/50'
The greatest bromantic cancer comedy of all time? Perhaps! '50/50' is a near impossible sell -- do you wanna spend two hours watching a young man suffer through his cancer diagnosis? -- but those who took the chance were rewarded with a funny and honest film about relationships and how people deal with illness. Demerits for Bryce Dallas Howard's one-note lady villain are balanced out by the bonus points earned by "Yellow Ledbetter" being chosen as the film's closing music cue.

5. 'Young Adult'
The non-feel-good movie of 2011. Written with welcome vitriol by Diablo Cody and directed, surprisingly, without any cloying pretense by Jason Reitman, 'Young Adult' focuses on Mavis Gary (Charlize Theron), a busted YA author who wallows in booze, Diet Coke, one-night stands and the idea she is still destined for the greatness that her high-school years as Queen Bee promised. Mavis is self-destructive and mostly awful, but it's hard not to empathize with her at times; after all, who doesn't harbor the hope for "more than this"? Well, maybe one person: Matt Freehauf (Patton Oswalt), an old high-school classmate of Mavis who has long closed off his heart to anything more than his lot in life. The relationship that forms between Mavis and Matt makes up the bulk of this anti-romcom, and hurtles 'Young Adult' toward its unwavering climax. This is a movie that basically should not have been made; that it was -- that Mavis, as ostensibly unlikable a lead character as has graced the screen in a while, exists -- is good news for viewers. Also, bad news, since 'Young Adult' could make you ask some harsh questions about yourself while looking in the mirror.

4. 'Beginners'
Or, what would happen if Wes Anderson and Woody Allen had a baby? 'Beginners,' director Mike Mills's second feature following 'Thumbsucker,' is the indie naval-gazer that people who don't like indie naval-gazers will love. About the changing relationship between a father and son (Christopher Plummer and Ewan McGregor) after the elder man comes out as homosexual at age 75 (Mills based the film, in part, on his own life), 'Beginners' squeezes a lot into its 100 minute running-time: love, loss, commitment-phobia, Woody Allen-like jazz music, and a dog that talks in subtitles. A buffet of mish-mashed emotion, the film never strays off course, thanks to some deft sleight-of-hand by Mills and his extraordinary cast. Plummer has gotten deserved Oscar buzz for his role as the recently out Hal, but it's Ewan McGregor who drives 'Beginners' with his sad-sack lost-boy performance.

3. 'The Artist'
It's a gimmick film, that's true. And in the hands of a less-talented creative group than director Michel Hazanvicius and stars Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo, 'The Artist' would likely be an insufferable twee exercise that hipsters, real and faux, embrace as a bit of old-school cool. What makes Hazanavicius's silent black-and-white curio rise above that fray? At its core, 'The Artist' is about the evolution of society at the expense of the old guard. It's a poignant reminder that the top dogs won't always be on top, but that doesn't mean we should discard them without any care or concern. (Especially Uggie.) In a year of feel-good movies, 'The Artist' is one of the most feel-good-y; it's also one of the sweetest -- despite what the growing cacophony of haters might have you believe.

2. 'Crazy Stupid Love'
Without a doubt, the romantic comedy of the year -- maybe even years. Buoyed by a winning cast (Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Julianne Moore), 'Crazy Stupid Love' doesn't try to reinvent the rom-com wheel; instead, it revels in the genre cliches, yet feels new by remembering that people want to fall in love with characters. The results are enjoyable beyond belief. Credit for 'Crazy Stupid Love' goes to directors Glenn Ficarra and John Requa (for doing their best James L. Brooks impersonation), screenwriter Dan Fogelman (for doing his best Cameron Crowe impersonation), as well as the likable cast. For Gosling completists, this could be his ultimate performance -- a charm offensive that includes many scenes of The Gos, sans shirt. Hey, girl, indeed.

1. 'Moneyball'
You actually can't call 'Moneyball' a home run. Not because it's such a hack pun related to the premise of Bennett Miller's adaptation of Michael Lewis's seminal book about how statistical analysis changed baseball forever, but because 'Moneyball' isn't about home runs. It's about the little things. This is a movie that features a montage devoted to taking pitches for goodness sake. Oh, sure: there's a bit of on-field heroism in the third act, but even that is fleeting; after all, it occurs in September during the regular season instead of October and the World Series. This is baseball as it has never been depicted onscreen before: 'Moneyball' is filled with tiny failures, small successes, and doesn't conclude with a trophy. Brad Pitt gets the role of his life as Billy Beane -- his golden hair and golden-er skin recalls a younger Robert Redford -- but the real surprise of the cast is Jonah Hill as Pitt's onscreen apprentice. The best baseball movie ever, and the best movie of 2011; in 'Moneyball' terms, it's better than a home run -- it gets on base.

[Photo: Sony]

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Year in Review 2011: Best Movies, Performances, Dogs and More

Christopher Rosen — 2011-12-27T12:30:00+00:00

The final week of 2011 has arrived, meaning it's time to reflect on the year that was. From the forgotten Nicolas Cage film 'Season of the Witch' that kicked things off in January to 'The Iron Lady,' which will close out December in limited release on Friday, 2011 was filled with cinematic delights ('Harry Potter,' 'Bridesmaids' and 'Hugo' to name three) as well as some notable busts (sorry, 'Sucker Punch'). Ahead, a look at the best movies, performances, trailers and even dogs from 2011.

[CLICK TO LAUNCH GALLERY]

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For more on the year in film, check out the links below:

50 Best Movies of 2011
Best Performances of 2011
Best Breakout Stars of 2011
Best Movie Dogs of 2011
Best Geek Moments of 2011
Most Awkward Sex Scenes of 2011
Best Soundtracks of 2011
Best Trailers of 2011
Most Infuriating Movies of 2011

[Photo: Warner Bros.]

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Holiday Gift Guide for Fanboys & Fangirls

Sandie Angulo Chen — 2011-12-16T12:00:00+00:00

The holidays are fast approaching, and if you're stumped on what to pick up for friends and relatives, Moviefone is here to help. If there is a 'Harry Potter,' 'Twilight,' or superhero fan on your gift list -- especially a young one -- these items are sure to make them squee with delight this Christmas or Hanukkah. Here are a bunch of gift ideas for the fanboy or fangirl you want to impress.

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'Harry Potter' Theme Park Coming to Universal Studios Hollywood

Moviefone Staff — 2011-12-01T11:10:00+00:00

Since it opened in June, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Orlando has become a Mecca-like destination for fans. You can drink butterbeer! You can take a journey through Hogwarts Castle! You can ride a (fake) hippogriff! Alas, anything Potter-related is guaranteed to draw humongous crowds. Since it opened, the attraction has drawn a total of 2.8 million visitors with grosses over $300 million, which is why NBC Universal is set on building a brand-spanking new Wizarding World for West Coasters.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the company will soon announce plans for a Wizarding World in Universal Studios Hollywood, which will likely resemble the one in Florida. That's right: two 'Harry Potter' theme parks! No word on when the park will begin production. Either way, if this new park is anything like the one in Orlando, we expect it to do big things.

[via WSJ and Deadline]

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The Highest Paid Young Actors in Movies

Gary Susman — 2011-11-21T12:00:00+00:00

How much will Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, and Taylor Lautner, the three young stars of 'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn' earn for their work on the two-part series finale? Hard to say; in addition to their salaries of $25 million apiece, they're also entitled to 7.5 percent of the gross, which could raise their fees by tens of millions more. ('Breaking Dawn Part 1' has already earned $283.5 million worldwide since opening on Friday.) It doesn't seem like they'll be able to keep earning such lofty paychecks after 'Twilight,' but for now, they're among the highest paid young actors in Hollywood. In that, they join the now-grown 'Harry Potter' cast, Miley Cyrus and several other rising stars who have earned enough to afford a Lamborghini before being old enough to drive one. Check out the gallery below for the scoop on the top-earning young adults in the movie business.

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David Yates, 'Harry Potter' Director, To Create New 'Doctor Who' For The Big-Screen

Eric Larnick — 2011-11-14T14:50:00+00:00

With the end of 'Deathly Hallows,' 'Harry Potter' fans looking for another grand British adventure may get their fix in 'Doctor Who.' Variety reports that David Yates -- the director behind four of the 'Potter' movie adaptations, including both parts of 'The Deathly Hallows' -- is looking to develop a big-screen version of the time-traveling Doctor.

If you don't have three hours to kill reading one of Wikipedia's largest pages, consider this the CliffsNotes version: 'Doctor Who' is the longest-running, most successful sci-fi show in history, and a touchstone of British pop culture. The Doctor is a universe-exploring alien who travels through the cosmos in his TARDIS, a time machine shaped like a police box. He is usually accompanied by a spunky female companion and his greatest enemy is the Daleks, a race of cybernetic aliens housed in roaming personalized tanks. Doctor Who also has the ability to regenerate his body when close to death, which is a handy way of explaining away the eleven actors who have portrayed the part since 1963. The show currently airs on BBC One in the UK and stateside on BBC America, with star Matthew Smith.

Now that you're all caught up, you'll be happy to know that this planned movie version will be a completely new version not connected to the TV show's long mythology. Yates explains that you "have to put that aside and start from scratch." 'Doctor Who' was adapted for movies twice before in the 1960s with Peter Cushing (and some liberal changes to the mythos), but the BBC has struggled to get a cinematic version off its feet for years.

Yates is currently working with BBC Worldwide on finding a screenwriter, hinting that 'Harry Potter' scripter Steve Kloves might get the job: "We want a British sensibility, but having said that, Steve Kloves wrote the Potter films and captured that British sensibility perfectly."

If 'Doctor Who' turns into a full-blown 'Potter' reunion behind-the-scenes, expect the "Daniel Radcliffe as the Doctor!" fan-campaign to start up pretty soon (if it hasn't already).

This also gives us an excuse to post the theme song, which we'll gladly take.

[Photo courtesy of BBC America]

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A Guide to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Say Goodbye to 'Harry Potter' in Style

Chris Jancelewicz — 2011-11-10T10:00:00+00:00

The 'Harry Potter' movies may be over (for now; the final DVD hits stores this week), but don't worry, muggles! All things Potter will continue to live on at Universal Studios' Island of Adventure. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has everything a Potterite could ever want, from the dark halls of Hogwarts to Diagon Alley to Hogsmeade, and it's all done down to the finest little detail.

Moviefone visited the Wizarding World to commemorate the ending of one of the most successful movie franchises in history, and we've got a list of the ten things you need to do if your broom ever takes you there.

1. Grab Some Grub at Three Broomsticks Restaurant and Hog's Head Pub
How authentic are these places? Stuart Craig, the production designer for the 'Harry Potter' movies, designed the interior of Three Broomsticks, and the Hog's Head Pub is identical to what you see in the movies. Chow down on Cornish pastries, shepherd's pie, or good ol' fish and chips while magical things happen all around you. The adjacent Hog's Head Pub features flickering lanterns and -- of course -- a gigantic hog's head mounted behind the bar, which sometimes puffs its cheeks and growls at the guests. (Astute visitors will spot a trio of brooms resting against the wall in the restaurant, and Moviefone found out exclusively that one of those brooms is actually used in the movie!)

2. Sample a Frothy Stein of Butterbeer
Yep, it deserves its own paragraph. It's that good. We were a little apprehensive that it would be some super-sweet concoction, but it was actually really refreshing -- kind of like a cross between caramel, marshmallows and ice cream. You can choose between the iced and frozen versions at Hog's Head. (Sorry, muggle adults, there's no alcohol in it -- butterbeer has no intoxicating effects on humans, though it's said to have quite the impact on house elves.) We couldn't get our hands on the actual recipe, but Mugglenet claims that they've broken the code.

3. Step Into Harry's Shoes on the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey Sim Ride
Sure, you've been on sim rides before at theme parks, but this is probably the only one where a dragon spits fire and smoke into your face. Daniel Radcliffe himself said, "This ride is essentially a condensed form of the chaos in Harry's life." You can soar over Hogwarts, take part in a Quidditch match and have a close encounter with the Whomping Willow. Hold onto your (wizard) hats, because you get about this close to being flipped upside down.

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4. Be Brave! Try the Dragon Challenge and Flight of the Hippogriff Roller Coasters
If you're a particularly fearless wizard, you might want to try your hand at the Dragon Challenge -- you can choose one of two intertwining dragon coasters: Hungarian Horntail or Chinese Fireball. The dragons twist and narrowly miss each other on this epic adventure. If you're still an apprentice (of sorts), opt for the family-friendly Hippogriff coaster. Before embarking, you're instructed on how to properly approach a Hippogriff, and then you're off!

5. Wonder at the Magnificence of Hogwarts Castle
It took approximately five years to build this replica of Hogwarts, and it's truly exact down to the last detail, inside and out. Once your eyes adjust to the darkness of the castle's halls, you can start to make out the enchanted photographs that are speaking to you as you round every corner. In Dumbledore's office, the Headmaster welcomes guests and invites them to hear a lecture on the history of the school. But you don't want to do that, do you? A lecture? Luckily Ron, Hermione and Harry are there to entice you away from that boring stuff, as they lead you to the Forbidden Journey Ride.

6. Let a Wand Choose You at Ollivanders
We've never seen so many wands and wand boxes in our entire life. They are -- quite literally -- from floor to ceiling. If you're truly lucky, the Wandkeeper will pick you out of the crowd and allow the wands of the store to come to you. Visitors are also able to pick their own wands, wand collectibles or "practice" wands for younger wizards.

7. The Joke's on You at Zonko's Joke Shop
Looking to play a prank on a relative? Perhaps get some revenge on some friends who got a bit nasty with that fake dog poop? Zonko's is the place to visit; the store has everything imaginable for the jester in your family. Guests can purchase Sneakoscopes, Screaming Yo-Yos, Extendable Ears, Pygmy Puffs, Shrunken Heads and Fanged Flyers. You heard it here first: visitors beware. You never know what's going to jump out at you.

8. Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth at Honeyduke's Candy Store
Our teeth are still aching from our visit to this shop. As Ron Weasley states in the movie, "Honeyduke's Sweetshop is brilliant!" One step into Honeydukes and you'll understand what he means. The scent of sugar wafts as you open the door, and you're given the option to fill your bag with whatever candy you want -- from Bernie Bott's Every-Flavour Beans (pear, watermelon, or the unexpected sausage, fish or pepper flavors) to delectable chocolate frogs.

9. Get Everything You Need at Dervish and Banges
Every good wizard needs to support his/her house, whether it's Gryffindor, Slytherin or the other houses. Dervish and Banges is the place to get your own Triwizard apparel, Hogwarts student robes, Goblet of Fire and Triwizard Cup replicas, Quidditch equipment and even a Golden Snitch! You'll be well on your way to wizarding glory with all of this stuff. Combine with a wand and you're practically unstoppable.

10. Wear Your 'Potter' Gear to the Park -- Even If You're an Adult
Trust us, you'll look weirder if you're not wearing something Potter-esque. We spotted a newborn sucking on a wand, and saw a couple of grandmothers in full robes, from the tip of their hat to the points of their shoes. We lost count on how many kids had a lightning bolt drawn on their foreheads.

Your favorite 'Potter' stars made it into our Top 5 finalists for the Top 25 Under 25!

Can you believe it's been a year already since the Wizarding World was built? Enjoy the 'Harry Potter' Home Entertainment Celebration from November 11 - November 13, when Universal Studios and Warner Bros. will celebrate a decade of movie history by allowing fans to share their love for the 'Harry Potter' films. Stars from the movies will be present at the park, including Rupert Grint -- Ron Weasley himself!

All images courtesy of Universal Studios

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'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part II' Video: Watch the Last Day of Shooting

Moviefone Staff — 2011-11-09T16:40:00+00:00

Whenever we manage to get our minds off 'Harry Potter,' a new piece of information pops up, putting us right back into a funk. (A nostalgic funk, but a funk nonetheless.) This time it's a behind-the-scenes clip from 'The Deathly Hallows, Part II' DVD (out Friday). The video, courtesy of E!, features the cast on the last day of shooting as well as at the ensuing wrap party where a slideshow featuring old set photos is shown. Translation: TEARS! Especially from Emma Watson, Rupert Grint and Daniel Radcliffe. Watch ahead. (Bring Kleenex.)

See! What did we tell you? If that wasn't emotional enough, now try getting through this recently released Oscar campaign ad for 'The Deathly Hallows, Part II.'

[via E! and W arner Bros.]

[Photo: Warner Bros.]

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J.K. Rowling Almost Killed Hagrid, Too

Christopher Rosen — 2011-11-02T16:10:00+00:00

It has been quite the week for 'Harry Potter' fans. Monday was not only the 30th anniversary of the death of Harry's (fictional) parents, but also when author J.K. Rowling revealed that she almost killed Ron Weasley before having a change of heart. That blood-lust almost extended to Rubeus Hagrid as well. Say it ain't so, J.K.!

It's so. In an interview on the Blu-ray release of 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2' with star Daniel Radcliffe, Rowling explains that she liked the idea of Hagrid carrying Harry at the beginning and end of the story, a bookend that kept the gentle giant "safe." Per Rowling, your favorite bearded gameskeeper was a "natural" option to be slain otherwise. Yikes!

On the flip side, Rowling was going to keep Remus Lupin alive, but realized that during a great war, atrocities like new parents getting killed is often reality. As such, Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks were casualties in the Battle of Hogwarts. Hashtag: tears.

[via EW]

[Photo: Warner Bros.]

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J.K. Rowling Almost Killed Ron Weasley

Moviefone Staff — 2011-10-31T15:50:00+00:00

In other 'Harry Potter'-death-related news, J.K. Rowling has revealed that she almost killed one your favorite characters from the beloved franchise. In an interview with The Guardian, the author admits how close she came to axing Ron Weasley at the end of the seventh and final 'Potter' book. So, what stopped her?

"Funnily enough, I planned from the start that none of them would die. Then midway through, which I think is a reflection of the fact that I wasn't in a very happy place, I started thinking I might polish one of them off. Out of sheer spite," Rowling told the paper. "But I think in my absolute heart of heart of hearts, although I did seriously consider killing Ron, [I wouldn't have done it]."

You have to love that Rowling refers to killing one of her characters as "polishing them off." At least Weasley fans everywhere can now sleep well knowing that their "king" is living the good life with Hermione and their two children, Rose and Hugo.

You can see Ron, and his other mates, when 'The Deathly Hallows Part II' hits shelves on Nov. 11.

[via Guardian]

[Photo: Warner Bros.]

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This Halloween, Don't Forget to Remember Harry Potter's Parents' Death

Alex Suskind — 2011-10-31T10:30:00+00:00

Curb those Halloween spirits -- today is a day of mourning. At least if you're a 'Harry Potter' fan. Yes, right below the trending topic of "Happy Halloween Everyone" on Twitter is "RIP James and Lily Potter." On a fictional Oct. 31 thirty years ago, the couple sacrificed their lives for their son, Harry. Little did they know that the boy would grow up to be the chosen one and save the entire wizarding world from the evil Lord Voldemort. The Hollywood Reporter points out that some 'Potter' fan sites will be planning a moment of silence today at 3 p.m. GMT (a.k.a. 11 p.m. EDT).

The only man who won't be crying? Obviously, Lord Voldemort. However, perhaps the Dark Lord is in a cheerier mood today. According to his Twitter account (yes, Voldemort has a Twitter account), the evil Wizard tweeted "Happy Halloween. Your treat is that I let you live."

So, while you're dressing up in your little costumes and going to grab your free candy, just remember that James and Lily Potter died for your right to trick-or-treat.

[via THR]

[Photo: Warner Bros.]

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Morning Grind: 'Pride and Prejudice and Zombies' Continues to Be Talent Sinkhole

Christopher Rosen — 2011-10-28T08:00:00+00:00

The long and arduous development process of 'Pride and Prejudice and Zombies' keeps getting longer and more arduous. Unable to find a leading actress after reported offers to Natalie Portman, Emma Stone, Rooney Mara and Blake Lively, all of whom turned the film down, 'Zombies' has lost its third director. Craig Gillespie ('Fright Night') is the latest helmer to hit the door, following David O. Russell and Mike White. The split was apparently "amicable," though, according to Deadline, there were disagreements between Gillespie and Lionsgate over who to cast. Based on the book by Seth Grahame-Smith, 'Pride and Prejudice and Zombies' reimagines Jane Austen's classic... with zombies. The studio will look for another director, preferably one that comes with a leading lady. [Deadline]

Fans of 'The King of Comedy,' take note: Sean Penn will direct Robert De Niro and Kristen Wiig (!) in 'The Comedian,' about an angry and aging comic (De Niro) who gets sentenced to community service after attacking an audience member. Wiig will play the "woman who turns his life sideways." (Isn't that always the way?) Hopefully Sandra Bernhard finds time to cameo. [Variety]

'Expendables' star Sylvester Stallone has found his next action project: 'The Tomb,' about a structural engineer who gets framed for murder and must escape from a prison he helped design. It's like 'Prison Break,' but with fewer fake tattoos. [Variety]

The Steven Soderbergh-directed stripper drama 'Magic Mike' has found a release date and studio. Warner Bros. officially picked the film up with eyes on a June 29, 2012 bow. Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer, Matthew McConaughey, Matt Bomer and Joe Manganiello co-star. [Deadline]

If you love 'Paranormal Activity' (or even if you don't), Paramount has some news: the studio will screen all three films back-to-back-to-back tonight exclusively at Regal Cinemas for the price of one ticket. Not only do the movies cost nothing to make, but now they can cost you almost nothing to see. [Coming Soon]

Remember how Warner Bros. was going to stop production on 'Harry Potter' DVDs and Blu-rays (but not digital files or video games titles) starting on Dec. 29? Don't expect 'HP' to stay stuck in a virtual Azkaban for very long. "There is discussion internally about aggregating assets from all of these films over the last decade and adding some new things - we've never done an Ultimate Edition on the final two films - and doing some grand kind of piece," said Jeff Baker, Senior VP and GM of Warner Bros.' theatrical catalog. "It could be the end of 2012 or the beginning of '13." No kidding. [EW]

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The Norwegian Film That's a Bigger Success Than 'Harry Potter' and 'Transformers'

Christopher Rosen — 2011-10-27T10:20:00+00:00

It's unofficially Jo Nesbo week here at Moviefone! For the uninitiated, Nesbo is the Norwegian writer behind the Harry Hole series of novels that Martin Scorsese may (but probably won't) bring to the big-screen. He's also responsible for 'Headhunters,' a smash hit in his native country that's already the highest-grossing Norwegian film of all-time and could soon pass 'Harry Potter' to become the biggest hit in Norway this year.

'Headhunters,' about a headhunter trying to grab a valuable piece of artwork from a mercenary, is nearing 50 million Kroner according to THR, which roughly equals $9 million in U.S. currency. That's more than double 'Transformers: Dark of the Moon' earned in Norway, and close to the $11 million earned by 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2.' The film has already sold 535,000 tickets, 20,000 more than 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.'

If you haven't seen 'Headhunters' yet, don't worry: Summit Entertainment, the studio that brought you 'Twilight,' has picked up the remake rights.

[via THR]

[Photo: Warner Bros.]

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Warner Bros. Pulling 'Harry Potter' DVDs from Circulation After Dec. 29

Christopher Rosen — 2011-10-25T08:40:00+00:00

'Harry Potter' DVDs and Blu-rays are about to get struck with an Evanesco spell. Warner Bros. announced on Monday night that it will stop shipping copies of the eight 'Potter' films to stores as of Dec. 29. That means if you don't get 'Harry Potter' DVDs during the holiday season, you likely won't be able to purchase the films again until Warner Bros. does a special re-release in the future. (Thankfully, this moratorium doesn't affect the digital platforms.) If this sounds familiar, it's because Disney has used a similar plan in the past for its archive titles. The 'Harry Potter' DVDs have grossed more than $5 billion worldwide for Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.

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[via Press Release]

[Photo: Warner Bros.]

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'When Harry Left Hogwarts' Trailer: 'Harry Potter' Doc Will Make You Cry All Over Again

Moviefone Staff — 2011-10-19T13:00:00+00:00

For 'Harry Potter' fans, 'The Deathly Hallows Part II' was a satisfying-slash-draining end to one of the greatest stories ever told. Now they'll have a chance to relive that emotional roller coaster all over again with 'When Harry Left Hogwarts,' a documentary about the final two installments of the franchise. As Slashfilm points out, the feature will only be available on the four-disc Blu-ray edition of 'Deathly Hallows Part II,' available at Target on Nov. 11. The first trailer for the documentary, which you can watch ahead, features brief interviews with Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint, discussing, among other things, the role these movies played in their lives and the uncertainty about their future. There are also several behind-the-scenes shots of the team filming the movie at Leavesden Studios in England.

Although the films have come to an end, 'Harry Potter' author J.K. Rowling plans to continue the story's mythology with the new site, Pottermore. 'Potter' fans can vote for Emma, Dan and Rupert in the People's Choice Awards 25 under 25 competition by clicking here.

[via Slashfilm]

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Morning Grind: 'Arrested Development' Movie Totally Definitely Absolutely Probably Going to Happen in 2013

Christopher Rosen — 2011-10-03T08:00:00+00:00

Zach Galifianakis wasn't the only comedy titan making news at the New Yorker Festival over the weekend. On Sunday, the cast of 'Arrested Development' and creator Mitch Hurwitz sat down with New Yorker television critic Nancy Franklin to discuss their beloved series, and when talk turned to the long-rumored feature film version, Hurwitz had an update. "We're 80 percent of the way to an answer," he said, before revealing that there are also plans to do a short-run television series to catch fans up on the lives of the Bluth clan during the last five years. All that needs to happen now is some studio cooperation and the usual cutting of red tape. Said star Jason Bateman: "There's business left to be done, but creatively we are all on board and have a very specific plan about how it would come out and what we would do and when we would shoot it. I think we're targeting next summer to shoot it." Later, Bateman tweeted that the film could get released in early 2013. As for the limited-run series, Deadline reports that Showtime and/or Netflix could be interested. Don't hold your breath or anything, but feel free to dance like a chicken as soon as possible. [NYT/ArtsBeat]

The cast of 'Flight,' director Robert Zemeckis' first non-motion capture film since 'Cast Away' in 2000, is coming together nicely. Oscar winner Melissa Leo and James Badge Dale are in talks to join Denzel Washington, Bruce Greenwood and the already negotiating Don Cheadle in the film, which focuses on an alcohol and drug-addicted airline pilot (Washington), who becomes a hero after safely landing a malfunctioning aircraft. Leo would play an investigator trying to prove the pilot was negligent; Dale, a dying cancer patient. [THR]

Director Gavin O'Connor loves to-the-point titles. The 'Warrior' director (who previously helmed 'Miracle') has attached himself to 'The Samurai,' about an international assassin on the lam with a woman and her child. Just a note, Gavin: drop the "the"; it's, cleaner. [Deadline]

Excited about the entire 'Harry Potter' book series coming available via Pottermore later this month? Don't be: the AP reports that sale plans have been pushed to 2012. [AP]

Moviefone's Mike Ryan was disappointed with the Melissa McCarthy-hosted episode of 'Saturday Night Live' this weekend, but not audiences: ratings were up four percent from the season premiere, and eight percent from the second episode last year. [Deadline]

Can you guess Netflix's most-rented film ever? Hint: It's not 'Crash'! (That's No. 2.) [THR]

Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for The New Yorker

The Time Daniel Radcliffe Told Us That He's Never Seen 'Star Wars'

Mike Ryan — 2011-09-20T13:50:00+00:00

You'll often hear 'Harry Potter' fans compare the film series to 'Star Wars.' For devout followers of Hogwarts's most-impressive student, the juxtaposition is done as a way to explain their fandom to a slightly older audience -- ones who used to camp out overnight in anticipation of the next chapter in the story of Luke and Leia. 'Potter' star Daniel Radcliffe was in New York on Monday to do some very advanced promotion for his new film 'The Woman in Black' (which is set for release on Feb. 3, 2012), and in a conversation with Moviefone he revealed one potentially dirty little secret: Daniel Radcliffe has never seen 'Star Wars.'

Moviefone: What's your opinion of the comparisons between 'Harry Potter' and 'Star Wars.' Do you enjoy 'Star Wars'?
Daniel Radcliffe: [sighs and starts smiling]

Wait, you've never seen 'Star Wars'?
I know, and now this information is going to be out there in the world.

Wow. That's hard to do.
I know. Yeah, I know. It's really bad.

So not any of the six movies?
I saw 'The Phantom Menace,' and everyone's like, "You saw that one! You didn't see the originals?!" I know! I was ten! I didn't know any better!

I have the Blu-rays on me if you really want to watch them.
Oh, you can't give me the Blu-rays! I think, actually, somebody is planning on getting them for me. Here's my opinion, though. Not on the films or the filmmaking, because I'm sure they're amazing and incredible. And I know that I would love them because I'm a geek -- so I would definitely get into them. What 'Star Wars' and 'Potter' have in common is a huge devoted fan base. Where they differ, I think there is a -- and this is my perception, I may be completely wrong -- I think there is a slightly more balanced split between the sexes in the fan base of 'Potter.' I associate 'Star Wars' as being a predominantly male thing. And I think 'Potter' is split more evenly. The difference is also that any kind of a franchise where a world is created will then engender a generation of nerds. Fantastic! Nerds are the best things in the world. I think of myself as a nerd. What was the Bill Gates thing? "Be nice to nerds, you'll probably be working for them one day." But I think the difference is because 'Potter' started out as a book, it's created a generation of literary nerds in a way that 'Star Wars' perhaps didn't. But, basically, it's all the same. I mean, I do think of 'Potter' as being this generation's 'Star Wars.' It's something that an entire generation as lost themselves in and it's a meticulously created, detailed world. So I do think that's the closest thing to compare it to.

For more from Daniel Radcliffe on his first post-'Potter' film role in 'The Woman in Black,' check back to Moviefone closer to its release next year. Watch the trailer for the film below.

You can contact Mike Ryan directly on Twitter.
Follow Moviefone on Twitter.

Photo: Jim Spellman/WireImage

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Morning Grind: 'Arrested Development' Movie Totally Definitely Absolutely Probably Going to Happen in 2013

The Time Daniel Radcliffe Told Us That He's Never Seen 'Star Wars'