HP film 3 to be made in Glencoe December 21, 2002 [ ananova ] reports:

Glencoe is being considered as the site for Hogwarts School for the third installment.

Filming of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, involving around 400 cast and crew, could begin in February and last until May.

The company has asked to build a film set in a venture which could reap around £3 million for the local economy.

Studio bosses have lodged a planning application with Highland Council whose members are expected to give a decision next month.

A council spokeswoman confirmed the planning application includes a gatehouse, sundial garden and stone cottages, which form part of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, which Harry attends.

The spokeswoman said: "The planning application is for structures that they are building on a hill and they require planning permission because they are going to be there for longer than 28 days. They are expected to be here from February until May."

The application is to build the film set at Torren on the edge of the village of Glencoe, and close to the Clachaig Inn, a popular attraction for hillwalkers and climbers. The area of Lochaber in western Scotland is no stranger to major productions.

In the summer of 1995, Mel Gibson was near the town of Fort William shooting parts of Braveheart, and in the same year Liam Neeson was in the area to film Rob Roy.

Highlander, starring Sean Connery and Christopher Lambert, was also filmed in parts of Glen Nevis.

Book 5 almost finished December 1, 2002 [ ananova ] reports:

JK Rowling says she is just weeks away from finishing Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix.

Rowling says she's "very happy" with the fifth book.

She's also revealed it is longer than Goblet Of Fire.

"At the moment it's 38 chapters," she told Newsround. That's one chapter longer than the last book.

"I'm really pleased with it," Rowling said. 'I'm just going to tweak it a tiny bit more, then the publishers will have it."

The book should be in the shops next year.

New Movie is Magic, say fans November 27, 2002 [ ananova ] reports:

The new Harry Potter film is scarier, funnier and more action-packed than the last, said fans at the movie's premiere in London.

For the lucky ones invited to see Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the verdict was a resounding thumbs-up.

Magic was the order of the day outside the Odeon cinema as 5,000 Harry Potter die-hards descended on Leicester Square to catch a glimpse of their favourite members of the cast.

Jake Knibbs, 10, from Manchester, who watched the film, said: "It's really, really good. It was a bit scary with the spiders. It's better than the first. There's new characters. I like Dobby - the house elf."

His mother Carol said: "There was quite a bit of humour as well. It drew you in as well. It was much more incredible."

The granddaughter of late actor Richard Harris, who played Professor Dumbledore in the film, Ella, left the cinema wiping the tears from her eyes, but said she enjoyed the film.

Hollywood actress Glenn Close said: "It was great."

TV presenter Emma Forbes said: "If you loved the first one, the second one will blow your mind."

Next book clues in auction November 20, 2002 [ ananova ] reports:

A card from JK Rowling that includes 93 random words from the new Harry Potter book will be sold at auction next month.

The card is being sold by Sotheby's in an auction that will raise money for Book Aid. The card is expected to raise at least £6000.

It contains 93 words taken from Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix.

Sotheby's has offered a short sample of what the autographed card contains: "Thirty-eight chapters ... might change ... longest volume ... Ron ... broom ... sacked ... house-elf ... new teacher ... dies ... sorry."

Harry Potter Movie Overview November 17, 2002 [ ananova ] reports:

Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets (cert PG, 160 mins)

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Tom Felton, Jason Isaacs, Kenneth Branagh, Richard Harris, Maggie Smith, Robbie Coltrane, Alan Rickman, Shirley Henderson, Bonnie Wright, Richard Griffiths, Fiona Shaw, Gemma Jones, Toby Jones, Miriam Margolyes, Edward Tudor-Pole, Julie Walters.

Director: Chris Columbus

Released November 20

Violence: Yes

Swearing: No

Sex: No

Harry and best pals Ron and Hermione return to Hogwarts for their second year, under the auspices of sage old Professor Dumbledore.

The arrival of the shockingly vain Professor Gilderoy Lockhart as the new Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher brings excitement to the school, but a spate of mysterious attacks soon convinces Harry that You-Know-Who has returned.

What the critics say:

Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian: An entertaining picture, as comforting as nursery food and as devoid of artistic depth as a sports event.

Alan Morrison, Empire: Such is the Harry Potter phenomenon that it's impossible (and maybe unfair) to compare Chamber Of Secrets to anything other than Rowling's books and the original movie. In those terms, it's what the fans demand, but a slight snub for the uninitiated. That said, it also offers a more imaginatively colourful world than almost every other children's film out there.

Christopher Tookey, Daily Mail: Funnier and more exciting than the first Harry Potter movie, and adorned with some of the most stunning special effects ever. Branagh steals the picture with a very amusing study of vanity and fake chumminess.

New Book in 3-6 months September 27, 2002 [ ananova ] reports:

UK, US publishers could get next Harry Potter book in 3-6 mths - report

Author JK Rowling has basically completed her long-awaited fifth book, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," and is in the process of tweaking and polishing, she said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal.

Rowling declined to set a date when she will submit the manuscript to her publishers, Bloomsbury Publishing PLC in the UK and Scholastic Inc in the US, but she did not contradict a suggestion that the work could be submitted within three to six months, the Journal said.

"When will I hand it in? I don't want to say, but it won't be very long," she said. Once the manuscript is submitted and thoroughly edited, Rowling's publishers could issue a finished book in as little as two-and-a half months, the report said.

The manuscript is very long - as long as the 734-page volume that preceded it. "Book five is frankly huge," she said.

AOL Time Warner Inc's Warner Bros film unit, is releasing its second Harry Potter movie in November and has the rights to the other two books and options on future titles.

JK Rowling Pregnant September 20, 2002 [ ananova ] reports:

Harry Potter author J K Rowling and her doctor husband are expecting their first child.

The writer, who married Dr Neil Murray nine months ago, is believed to be three months pregnant.

A spokeswoman said: "J K Rowling and Dr Neil Murray are delighted to confirm that they are expecting a baby in the spring."

The writer has a nine-year-old daughter, Jessica, from a previous marriage.

Rowling married Dr Murray in a Boxing Day ceremony last year at the writer's home in Perthshire, Scotland.

Her first marriage was to Jorges Arantes, a Portuguese journalist whom she met while working in Portugal. They later divorced and she returned to Edinburgh.

Row over Rowling's bid for home security September 6, 2002 [ ananova ] reports:

JK Rowling has become embroiled in a row with her neighbours over plans to increase security at her house.

The Harry Potter author wants to increase the height of the walls surrounding her £500,000 property and install an electronic security gate.

But nearby residents in the plush Merchiston district of the city have claimed the proposed changes would be out of character with the area, a designated conservation site.

A group have written to Edinburgh City Council demanding they throw out the multi-millionaire writer's planning application.

One objector complained about "overshadowing" from the higher walls, while another said a proposed wider driveway would be "out of character with the green aspect of the site".

Ms Rowling's new security measures come just a month after stalker Melissa Kumsuk Cho was deported back to America.

Despite the objections by neighbours, Edinburgh City Council's head of planning Alan Henderson has recommended councillors approve Ms Rowling's application when they meet next Wednesday.

In a report to the planning committee, Mr Henderson said: "Overall the alterations, while numerous, do not harm the architectural integrity of the villa and they do preserve the character and appearance of the conservation area as a whole."

City councillors gave the author permission last month to build a glass-fronted office at her home - despite more objections from neighbours.

The publication of her eagerly anticipated fifth book, Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix, which was scheduled for this autumn, has been postponed.

LotR hits top note September 6, 2002 [ ananova ] reports:

Lord Of The Rings has beaten a host of cinema classics to be voted the greatest film soundtrack of all time.

It came ahead of such memorable movie scores as Doctor Zhivago, Gone With The Wind and Chariots of Fire.

Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring was released only last year but it topped the poll carried out by Classic FM.

Star Wars was voted in second place, followed by Schindler's List, The Empire Strikes Back and Gladiator.

Lord of the Rings composer Howard Shore, who picked up an Oscar for the soundtrack, said he was "thrilled" with the results in the poll of more than 52,000 listeners.

Meanwhile the year's other wizard release, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, made it to number 14.

That score was the work of American John Williams, who was the most popular composer on the list and the man behind the famous Star Wars theme.

Three of his soundtracks were in the top 50 and he has a total of nine in the top 30, including ET, Raiders of the Lost Ark and Superman.

British composer John Barry merited three mentions on the list - for Out Of Africa, Dances With Wolves and the 1968 film The Lion In Winter.

Lawrence of Arabia is at number 8, Doctor Zhivago at number 11, The Magnificent Seven at number 15 and Brief Encounter at number 18.

The oldest film on the list is Gone With The Wind, released in 1939, with a score by Max Steiner.

New Month! Woohoo! September 4, 2002 [ ananova ] reports:

Ok, it's a new month! Yay! Be prepared for ... oh, what's this you say? More of the same thing?! That's crazy! More of the same high quality news, games, message boards, among others?! That--- that's just plain weird.

Oh, and be sure to take a look at August's news below.

Rowling to feature on The Simpsons February 28, 2003 [ ananova ] reports:

Homer and his family meet up with the Harry Potter author in a special episode set in London.

Lisa Simpson turns out to be a Potter fan and questions the millionaire.

Sir Ian McKellen also appears in the episode - and is first hit by falling scaffolding, then struck by lightning.

The Simpsons go to see him perform on stage in Macbeth, but bring him bad luck by saying the play's name aloud - a theatrical superstition.

A spokesman for the cult US cartoon told The Sun: "The Simpsons bump into JK Rowling outside a bookshop and they talk all about Harry Potter.

"We're very excited about the episode and rest assured every British cliche will be trotted out to get a laugh."

New Dumbledore Announced February 21, 2003 [ ananova ] reports:

Sir Michael Gambon will play Professor Albus Dumbledore in the next Harry Potter film.

He will replace actor Richard Harris, who died in October, after playing Dumbledore in the first two films.

Gary Oldman, Timothy Spall and The Fast Show star Paul Whitehouse will also join the cast of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, which begins shooting next week.

HP film 3 to be made in Glencoe December 21, 2002 [ ananova ] reports:

Warner Bros is planning to film the third Harry Potter movie in the Scottish Highlands early next year.

Glencoe is being considered as the site for Hogwarts School for the third installment.

Filming of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, involving around 400 cast and crew, could begin in February and last until May.

The company has asked to build a film set in a venture which could reap around £3 million for the local economy.

Studio bosses have lodged a planning application with Highland Council whose members are expected to give a decision next month.

A council spokeswoman confirmed the planning application includes a gatehouse, sundial garden and stone cottages, which form part of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, which Harry attends.

The spokeswoman said: "The planning application is for structures that they are building on a hill and they require planning permission because they are going to be there for longer than 28 days. They are expected to be here from February until May."

The application is to build the film set at Torren on the edge of the village of Glencoe, and close to the Clachaig Inn, a popular attraction for hillwalkers and climbers. The area of Lochaber in western Scotland is no stranger to major productions.

In the summer of 1995, Mel Gibson was near the town of Fort William shooting parts of Braveheart, and in the same year Liam Neeson was in the area to film Rob Roy.

Highlander, starring Sean Connery and Christopher Lambert, was also filmed in parts of Glen Nevis.

Book 5 almost finished December 1, 2002 [ ananova ] reports:

JK Rowling says she is just weeks away from finishing Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix.

Rowling says she's "very happy" with the fifth book.

She's also revealed it is longer than Goblet Of Fire.

"At the moment it's 38 chapters," she told Newsround. That's one chapter longer than the last book.

"I'm really pleased with it," Rowling said. 'I'm just going to tweak it a tiny bit more, then the publishers will have it."

The book should be in the shops next year.

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