More footage online from Deathly Hallows’ Swinley Forest sets

As we reported several weeks ago, crews for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows have been filming scenes in Swinley Forest.

London Taxi Tours, well known for finding Potter sets, has uploaded another video from the Swinley. The video shows more wigwam-like huts built for filming surrounded by very large trees. We also see tourists checking out the area.

Happy Birthday, John Williams

Today we ask you to join us in wishing John Williams a very happy birthday. The composer, who worked on the Harry Potter films, is celebrating his 78th birthday. Many happy returns!

Actors in the News Weekly Roundup

It’s been a quiet week in terms of news from the Harry Potter cast. Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix Lestrange) spoke to The Guardian newspaper’s Weekend supplement about her most recent projects, including her role in Tim Burton’s highly anticipated adaptation of “Alice in Wonderland.” In the interview, Bonham Carter speaks briefly about the Harry Potter films:

We talk about the four Harry Potter films she’s been in and I tell her I find them hard to ­follow, too. She
nods. “To be honest, I think it’s a hell of a lot of plot to fit into
two hours.”

Scans of the interview as well as a number of stills from the film and pictures from The Guardian’s photoshoot can be found here in our galleries. Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland” will be released on the 5th of March. Many thanks to Freya for emailing in!

Secondly, Emma Thompson (Professor Trelawney) appeared in the Daily Mail this week in their “My Life in Pictures” feature. The article, which can be found via this link, includes a photograph of the Cambridge Footlights Society where she is joined by Robbie Coltrane (Rubeus Hagrid) and Stephen Fry, who narrates the British Harry Potter audiobooks. There are also a number of photos with Kenneth Branagh (Gilderoy Lockhart), as well as a still from Thompson’s recent role in Oscar-nominated 2009 film “An Education.”

Finally, there are a number of new photos from the fashion range Emma Watson (Hermione Granger) has created with People Tree; you can find these in our galleries via this link.

Emma talks People Tree, wrapping up Deathly Hallows, more in two new interviews

The Daily Mail and Express newspapers have both published new interviews with actress Emma Watson over the past 24 hours.

In the former interview, Emma discusses her plans for fashion design in the future:

Q: You’ve done acting, modelling, and now you’re designing. Is this the future for Emma Watson?

A: Oh, I don’t have any plans to be a designer. I’m doing this range because I really care about fair-trade and ethical fashion. I’m so pleased that I got involved, but I don’t want to take all the credit for being the designer because I haven’t trained as a designer or even gone to art college – in fact, I had no idea about the amount of work involved at the outset!

While speaking with Express, Emma touches on wrapping up Deathly Hallows filming in a few months and acting in the future:

Potter producers have scheduled filming to allow her to attend college and film her remaining scenes during her holidays. The last day of filming Harry Potter draws closer, however.

Emma is still debating whether to continue with acting long term. “I just want to be sure it’s what I want. I was so young and I don’t think I really knew the greatness of what I was signing on for. I really want to study. I would love to try theatre. I need to try stuff out. But I say all this now, I’m sure I’ll still be here in 10 years, making Harry Potter 30.”

Happy Birthday, Arthur Weasley!

According to J.K. Rowling's official website, today marks 60 years since the birth of a wonderful father figure in the Harry Potter series.

What better gift to him than birthday wishes from a bunch of muggles? Happy birthday, Mr. Weasley!

New overhead helicopter shots of Wizarding World theme park, Hogsmeade store fronts emerge

Today, several Orlando theme park fansites posted new construction photos from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park.

Most notable are these very cool shots from a helicopter taken just the other day. They show the entire construction area in views we've never before seen. We also get our first glimpse of Hogsmeade store fronts.

You can see other construction photo updates here, here and here.

Thanks to Pat for the tip!

Producer previews LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4, artist talks building Buckbeak

Two new videos have emerged online providing a behind-the-scenes look at LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4.

The first is with a character artist, who discusses how Buckbeak is created. He says that the creature is built from scratch and shows how Buckbeak goes from the animation tool to the actual gameplay.

The second is an interview with Jonathan Smith of Travellers Tales. He discusses the overall gameplay and how characters can grow by attending classes and learning new spells. He added this game has a new physics system which allows it to be more realistic, and that humor also plays a major role in this video game.

Thanks to Snitch Seeker!

J.K. Rowling thanks everyone who is Helping Haiti Heal

It's been almost two weeks since the Potter community came together with others online to raise money for the relief effort in Haiti. Since then, Helping Haiti Heal has raised close to $97,000 thanks to all of your incredible efforts!

If we get to the $105,000 mark, Partners in Health will name the three full cargo planes we funded after Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

This morning J.K. Rowling has passed along a message, specifically to all of you:

To everyone who has helped raise such an incredible amount for the earthquake survivors in Haiti: THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

Like many others, I made a personal donation to the DEC shortly after the earthquake happened; but never did I expect such an amazing response from all of you. You cannot imagine how awed, moved and humbled I am to know that planes named Harry, Ron and Hermione are going to be flying off to help. I did not need this to remind me how extraordinary Harry’s fans are, but you keep giving me proofs. THANK YOU! – Jo

Remember, that you can still donate right here with a chance to win some great prizes!

Warwick Davis updates Twitter: Headed to Hogwarts to film as Griphook

Warwick Davis, who plays Professor Flitwick in the Potter films, updated his Twitter account with some filming information early this morning.

Morning! On my way to 'Hogwarts'. Looking forward it. I'll be 'Griphook' today. Wish I could tell you what we're shooting.”

What do you think they are filming? If you're a Twitter user, you can follow Warwick: @WarwickADavis, and while you're there, follow all the Harry Potter stars on Twitter.

Thanks to Joshua!

MuggleCast #191: Epic Road Operas

The latest episode of our Harry Potter podcast is now available for your listening pleasure!

Join Ben, Jamie, Micah and myself as we discuss (and in Ben's case, get deep over) the latest Harry Potter news stories. We also kick off our Prisoner of Azkaban Chapter by Chapter series! Plus:

- It's an all-guy show, and Andrew predicts extra madness.
- Lots of updates on the theme park, as Ben reveals he's not *that* excited.
- Our thoughts on Deathly Hallows being a 3D film.
- We discuss the Dursley's ongoing stubbornness, Aunt Marge's rudeness, and MUCH more related to the first three POA chapters.
- An e-mail arrives from a listener who doesn't think the Harry Potter series is as great as we make it out to be.
- We can FINALLY say we'll be doing a podcast at Infinitus 2010!

All that and a LOT more can be heard by downloading! To download the fun for free, we recommend subscribing through iTunes.

Just CLICK HERE and then press “Subscribe” to the right of our album art. (Already subscribed? Refresh your feed!) No iPod or MP3 player needed! You can also visit the MuggleCast website to listen right within your browser, or to download the MP3 file to your desktop.